Construction of basic tools for the identification of two major groups of predatory mites from agricultural environments (Rhodacaroidea and Phytoseiidae) and their insertion in the digital era

• Grant number: 11/18971-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto José de Moraes
• Grantee: Raphael de Campos Castilho
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In general, no scientific work involving organisms can be conducted without their correct identification at a given taxonomic level, which varies according to the objective of the work. However, accurate identification is usually not a routine task, especially when they are tiny and/ or when they are not well known. This is the case of two groups of predatory mites common in agricultural environments, Rhodacaroidea and Phytoseiidae. The Rhodacaroidea (about 883 species) predominate in tropical soils and have potential as control agents of edaphic pests; the Phytoseiidae (about 2,400 species) predominate in the aerial plant parts and are commonly used in the control of small pests. There are no keys for identification of the world species of these groups, hampering the conduction of studies in different specialties. The main objective of this project is to develop tools to facilitate the identification of species of these mites; ultimately, the development of digital keys, which allow easier use by professionals with basic knowledge about their morphology, and keys in the usual (dichotomous) format, commonly preferred by taxonomists. The work will be conducted primarily based on the literature, but also based on examination of specimens, starting with the construction of homogeneous datasheets on their morphological characteristics. This will allow the use of the Lucid® program for the construction of the digital keys, to be enriched with illustrations to facilitate the use by non-specialists. The product of this work will represent a significant contribution to the conduction of studies by taxonomists and non-taxonomists, especially for those working on ecology and integrated pest management. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SANTOS, JANDIR C.; CASTILHO, RAPHAEL C.; SILVA, EDMILSON S.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.. Two new species of Ologamasus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil with a key to the world species of the genus. Zootaxa, v. 4058, n. 2, p. 267-277, DEC 16 2015. (11/18971-7)

CASTILHO, RAPHAEL C.; SILVA, EDMILSON S.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.; HALLIDAY, BRUCE. Catalogue of the family Ologamasidae Ryke (Acari: Mesostigmata). Zootaxa, v. 4197, n. 1, p. 1-147, NOV 25 2016. (11/18971-7)

DUARTE, ADRIANE DA F.; CASTILHO, RAPHAEL DE C.; DA CUNHA, UEMERSON S.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.. A new species of Binodacarus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Rhodacaridae), with a new characterization of the genus. SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY, v. 21, n. 9, p. 1194-1201, SEP 2016. (11/18971-7)

RUEDA-RAMIREZ, DIANA; CASTILHO, RAPHAEL C.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.. Mites of the superfamily Rhodacaroidea (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Colombia, with a key for the world species of Desectophis Karg (Ologamasidae). Zootaxa, v. 3734, n. 5, p. 521-535, NOV 8 2013. (11/18971-7)

ABO-SHNAF, REHAM I. A.; CASTILHO, RAPHAEL C.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.. Two new species of Rhodacaridae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Egypt and a key to the species of the family from the Mediterranean region. Zootaxa, v. 3718, n. 1, p. 28-38, OCT 2 2013. (11/18971-7)

SANTOS, JANDIR C.; CASTILHO, RAPHAEL C.; SILVA, EDMILSON S.; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J.. A new species of Hydrogamasellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil, with a key to the world species of the genus. Zootaxa, v. 3718, n. 1, p. 81-88, OCT 2 2013. (11/18971-7)