Diversity of edaphic Gamasina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in different ecosystems of the Caatinga biome in northeast Brazil

Author(s)

De Albuquerque Barros, Avyla Regia ^[1] ; Azevedo, Emiliano b. de ^[1] ; Silva, Edmilson S. ^[2] ; Castilho, Raphael C. ^[3] ; De Moraes, Gilberto J. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Alagoas UFAL, BR-57309005 Arapiraca, Alagoas - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz ESALQ, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY; v. 26, n. 7, p. 1301-1313, JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Knowledge of the fauna of soil mites in Brazilian soils is still scarce and limited to a few regions, referring almost exclusively to areas of natural vegetation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the abundance and diversity of edaphic Gamasina mites (Mesostigmata) on ecosystems of natural vegetation and cultivations of prickly pear, cassava and pasture located in the Caatinga biome in the state of Alagoas, northeast Brazil. Collections were carried out every three months between December 2018 and August 2019. In each collection date and in each ecosystem, 16 soil samples were collected. During the study, a total of 2,979 Gamasina were collected. Representatives of 10 families were identified, one of which, new to science. The largest number of Gamasina collected belonged to Ascidae (60%), followed by Laelapidae (14.3%) and Rhodacaridae (10%). Forty-four morphospecies were found, of which 25 new to science, distributed in 22 genera, two new to science. Protogamasellus mica Athias-Henriot, Protogamasellus sigillophorus Mineiro, Lindquist \& Moraes and a new species of Protogamasellus (Ascidae) were the most abundant species. Mean abundance and richness were highest in the natural vegetation (respectively 38.2 mites and 12.6 species per sample), followed by prickly pear (29.6 and 8.6), pasture (20.8 and 8.6) and cassava (10.9 and 5.7). The Shannon-Weaver's index diversity was highest for pasture (2.6) and lowest for the natural vegetation (2.2). The equitability indexes were quite similar in the different ecosystems though slightly lower in the natural vegetation (0.7 in the natural vegetation and 0.8 in other ecosystems). A cluster analysis indicated that the area of natural vegetation was the most distant from the others. Several of the species collected belong to Laelapidae and Macrochelidae, families with species used in the applied biological pest control. Thus, it is hoped that this work will serve as a basis for future applied research, aimed at prospecting Gamasina potentially useful for use in biological control programs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/27793-7 - Gamasina (Mesostigmata) edaphic mites: diversity in the Caatinga biome and evaluation of their potential for use as biological control agents, with the preparation of a taxonomic database of the world Rhodacaroidea
• Grantee: Ávyla Régia de Albuquerque Barros
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/12004-1 - Edaphic mites: diversity, relationship with the microbiota and ecology in natural and cultivated areas in Brazil, with the preparation of databases and keys to identify selected groups
• Grantee: Raphael de Campos Castilho
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/14478-3 - Effect of agricultural crops on the diversity of Mesostigmata predator mites and prospecting for use in biological control
• Grantee: Emiliano Brandão de Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate