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Almanac of Alberta Oribatida Part I, Version 2.4
Abstract
This is a compendium of the oribatid mites (Arthropoda: Arachnida: Acari: Acariformes: Sarcoptiformes: Oribatida) known from the Province of Alberta in July 2014 (about 350 species distributed across 28 superfamilies). Our primary goals are to provide a record of Alberta’s oribatid mite fauna that is associated with distributional and ecological information, and to provide identification tools (images, keys, diagnoses) to facilitate the identification of these mites by students and researchers. Please contact Lisa Lumley if you find errors or missing information, or if you have suggestions to make this document more user friendly.
... According to morphology and taxonomic keys, Type 6 mite was designated to the order Acariformes and the suborder Oribatida. Most species of oribatid mites inhabit the organic layers of soils and are feed on microbes, detritus and smaller softbodied invertebrates like nematodes (Walter et al., 2013). ...
... Type 26 mite was found in only one raw nest, and only one specimen was found. Type 22 mite looks similar to Eniochthonius crosbyi (Walter et al., 2013). Type 23 mite has quite a round body, and blunt anterior margin and a very small gnathosoma. ...
The global demand for edible bird nests (EBNs) is high, especially from Hong Kong and Peoples Republic of China. Recently, this industry was greatly affected when China banned the import of all the EBNs from Malaysia (except for canned version) due to detection of high levels of nitrites. Several cases of anaphylaxis following ingestion of EBNs were reported. The source(s) of these allergens remain unknown. Mites have been reported to trigger allergic responses. Hence, this study was designed to quantify, isolate and identify the mites that are associated with EBNs. The raw EBNs were purchased from swiftlet farms in five locations in Peninsular Malaysia while the commercial nests were purchased from five different Chinese traditional medicinal shops. The average mite density of all the raw nests was 285 ± 603 mites per gram of EBN while the commercial nests had a much lower mean value of 21 ± 32 mites per gram of EBN (p = 0.082). Among the raw EBNs, the nests from Kajang had the highest average mite density (946 ± 1443 mites/g of EBN) whereas the nests from Kuala Sanglang had the lowest (54 ± 34 mites/g of EBN). Among the commercial EBNs, the nests from Company D had the highest average mite density (76 ± 18 mites/g of EBN) whereas the nests from Company A were free of mites. Overall, the average densities of mites in the raw nests obtained from southern regions of Malaysia (Selangor and Johor) were higher than those nests obtained from the northern regions (Kedah and Kelantan). Thirty types of mites were isolated from both the raw and commercial nests. Among these, some are probably feather mites (Eustathia cultrifer, Pteroherpus garrulacis, Pterodectes amaurochalinus, Laminalloptes sp., Berlesella alata and Neochauliacia sp.), house dust and storage mites (Suidasia sp., Austroglycyphagus sp., and Aleuroglyphus ovatus), mesostigmatid mites (Dermanyssus sp.), prostigmatid mites (Cheyletus sp., tarsonemid and cunaxid mites), astigmatid mites (Collocalidectes sp., Streetacarus sp. and Hemisarcoptes sp.) and oribatid mites. This study provides baseline information on the density and type of mites that are probably associated with EBNs. This study also heightens the importance of mites as a possible source of EBN-associated anaphylaxis.
... This major taxonomic leap for Astigmata is essentially due to the ongoing collaborative research on feather mites, Pterolichoidea and Analgoidea (e.g., Galloway et al. 2014). There is also a major increase in recorded species of Oribatida associated with a series of published checklists and taxonomic revisions (e.g., Behan-Pelletier and Eamer 2009, Walter et al. 2014, Lindo 2018. Among the Trombidiformes, the Hydrachnidia (water mites) is the group with most notable growth in knowledge (e.g., Smith 1992a, and recent work on Rhinonyssidae represents the most salient pro- In 1979, the two column headings for species counts were "Estimated no. ...
... Table 5. Census of the suborder Oribatida, excluding Astigmata (Acari: Acariformes: Sarcoptiformes) in Canada. Norton et al. 1988, Behan-Pelletier and Bissett 1994, Walter et al. 2014 Hyporder all ecozones Behan-Pelletier 1984 Behan-Pelletier 1988, Behan-Pelletier et al. 2001 Zetomimidae 1 *This family is anticipated for Canada although no specimens have been collected to date; for other families with 0 known species, some undetermined material has been collected in Canada. ...
Summaries of taxonomic knowledge are provided for all acarine groups in Canada, accompanied by references to relevant publications, changes in classification at the family level since 1979, and notes on biology relevant to estimating their diversity. Nearly 3000 described species from 269 families are recorded in the country, representing a 56% increase from the 1917 species reported by Lindquist et al. (1979). An additional 42 families are known from Canada only from material identified to family- or genus-level. Of the total 311 families known in Canada, 69 are newly recorded since 1979, excluding apparent new records due solely to classification changes. This substantial progress is most evident in Oribatida and Hydrachnidia, for which many regional checklists and family-level revisions have been published. Except for recent taxonomic leaps in a few other groups, particularly of symbiotic mites (Astigmata: feather mites; Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), knowledge remains limited for most other taxa, for which most species records are unpublished and may require verification. Taxonomic revisions are greatly needed for a large majority of families in Canada. Based in part on species recorded in adjacent areas of the USA and on hosts known to be present here, we conservatively estimate that nearly 10,000 species of mites occur in Canada, but the actual number could be 15,000 or more. This means that at least 70% of Canada’s mite fauna is yet unrecorded. Much work also remains to match existing molecular data with species names, as less than 10% of the ~7500 Barcode Index Numbers for Canadian mites in the Barcode of Life Database are associated with named species. Understudied hosts and terrestrial and aquatic habitats require investigation across Canada to uncover new species and to clarify geographic and ecological distributions of known species.
... When necessary, specimens were cleared in 85% lactic acid for three days, mounted on slides using polyvinyl alcohol, and oven dried for seven days at 55-60°C. Specimens ≥300 μm were identified to species using a Leica DM 2500 compound microscope and identification keys from the Almanac of Alberta Oribatida 2014 (Walter et al., 2014). ...
... While fifteen of the 36 species in natural forest floors were unique, not all of those unique species were rare. Atropacarus striculus (C.L. Koch, 1835) was unique to natural forest floors, but this species has been recorded as being common and even abundant in Alberta's boreal forest (Walter et al., 2014). Lastly, the indicator species analysis identified species unique to natural stands as indicators (Table 5). ...
Bitumen extraction via surface mining has affected nearly 1000 km2 of boreal forest habitat in the Athabasca oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, pushing entire ecosystems back to the primary stages of forest and soil succession. Previous work in the Athabasca oil sands region has investigated the influence of vegetation, mineral reclamation material, and peat cover soil on microbial communities and the quality of soil carbon. No research has been conducted to assess the bioindicator potential of soil fauna, specifically oribatid mites, in these reclaimed soils. This study investigated the influence of time-since-reclamation (8–31 yrs.) and canopy type (white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides, Michx)) on the abundance and diversity of oribatid mite adults ≥300 μm in size after land reclamation in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. Thickness of the forest floor accumulating on top of the peat cover soil at the reclaimed sites was the most powerful predictor of oribatid mite richness, and was a better predictor than time-since-reclamation. A forest floor with a thickness ≥2 cm strongly increased oribatid mite abundance to levels higher than those found in the forest floors of natural, undisturbed stands in the area. Species richness in the (≥2 cm thick) forest floor within reclaimed stands was slightly lower than within natural stands but was notably higher than in the peat cover soil. Assemblage diversity followed the same trend as species richness, and mite diversity in the forest floor with a thickness ≥2 cm in reclaimed stands was the most similar to natural stands. Four of the six reclaimed stands with a forest floor thickness ≥2 cm were aspen stands, and increased aspen density may aid in faster reestablishment of oribatid mite communities after oil sands mining.
... According to morphology and taxonomic keys, Type 6 mite was designated to the order Acariformes and the suborder Oribatida. Most species of oribatid mites inhabit the organic layers of soils and are feed on microbes, detritus and smaller softbodied invertebrates like nematodes (Walter et al., 2013). ...
... Type 26 mite was found in only one raw nest, and only one specimen was found. Type 22 mite looks similar to Eniochthonius crosbyi (Walter et al., 2013). Type 23 mite has quite a round body, and blunt anterior margin and a very small gnathosoma. ...
The global demand for edible bird nests (EBNs) is high, especially from Hong Kong and Peoples Republic of China. Recently, this industry was greatly affected when China banned the import of all the EBNs from Malaysia (except for canned version) due to detection of high levels of nitrites. Several cases of anaphylaxis following ingestion of EBNs were reported. The source(s) of these allergens remain unknown. Mites have been reported to trigger allergic responses. Hence, this study was designed to quantify, isolate and identify the mites that are associated with EBNs. The raw EBNs were purchased from swiftlet farms in five locations in Peninsular Malaysia while the commercial nests were purchased from five different Chinese traditional medicinal shops. The average mite density of all the raw nests was 285 ± 603 mites per gram of EBN while the commercial nests had a much lower mean value of 21 ± 32 mites per gram of EBN (p = 0.082). Among the raw EBNs, the nests from Kajang had the highest average mite density (946 ± 1443 mites/g of EBN) whereas the nests from Kuala Sanglang had the lowest (54 ± 34 mites/g of EBN). Among the commercial EBNs, the nests from Company D had the highest average mite density (76 ± 18 mites/g of EBN) whereas the nests from Company A were free of mites. Overall, the average densities of mites in the raw nests obtained from southern regions of Malaysia (Selangor and Johor) were higher than those nests obtained from the northern regions (Kedah and Kelantan). Thirty types of mites were isolated from both the raw and commercial nests. Among these, some are probably feather mites (Eustathia cultrifer, Pteroherpus garrulacis, Pterodectes amaurochalinus, Laminalloptes sp., Berlesella alata and Neochauliacia sp.), house dust and storage mites (Suidasia sp., Austroglycyphagus sp., and Aleuroglyphus ovatus), mesostigmatid mites (Dermanyssus sp.), prostigmatid mites (Cheyletus sp., tarsonemid and cunaxid mites), astigmatid mites (Collocalidectes sp., Streetacarus sp. and Hemisarcoptes sp.) and oribatid mites. This study provides baseline information on the density and type of mites that are probably associated with EBNs. This study also heightens the importance of mites as a possible source of EBN-associated anaphylaxis. © 2015, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved.
... Les acariens Oribatides sont extrêmement communs dans les sols où ils sont d'important décomposeurs de matières organiques. On trouvera dans Walter et al. (2014) des renseignements sur la biologie et la répartition des espèces d'acariens Oribatides en Alberta et des clés pour les identifier. ...
Constitué de deux parties, le présent guide propose une introduction aux insectes présents dans les bouses laissées par les bovins dans les pâturages du Canada. La partie I se concentre sur les aspects généraux de la diversité et de l’écologie des insectes. La partie II vise à aider les lecteurs à identifier les insectes. On y présente de l’information sur la biologie et la morphologie de différents groupes d’insectes, illustrée par des photographies en couleur. Bien que les espèces mentionnées dans ce guide soient présentes au Canada, la plupart se rencontrent également aux États Unis. Des renvois à des clés taxonomiques sont fournis à l’intention des lecteurs qui souhaiteraient procéder à une identification détaillée. Ce guide se termine par une liste exhaustive de références qui s’adresse aux lecteurs désireux d’approfondir certains sujets et de découvrir des sources d’information qui pourraient passer inaperçues.
... Oribatid mites, also known as beetle mites, are extremely common in soils and are important degraders of organic material. Walter et al. (2014) provides information on the biology and distribution of oribatid mite species in Alberta and keys for their identification. ...
Written in two parts, this guide introduces the reader to the insects in cattle dung on pastures across Canada. Part I focuses on general aspects of insect diversity and ecology. Part II is intended to help the reader identify insects. It provides information on the biology and morphology of different insect groups and is supplemented with colour photographs. Although the species mentioned in this guide are specific for Canada, most of them also occur in the United States. References are provided to taxonomic keys to aid in species identification. The guide concludes with an extensive list of references that allows the reader to explore topics in more depth and discover sources of information that might otherwise be overlooked.
... The 300 µm fractions were each sorted using a stereoscope to retain all adult oribatid mites > 300 µm in ventral length, and the remaining invertebrates were returned to separate, labelled scintillation vials. All retained oribatid mites were identified to species or morphospecies via stereoscope or compound microscopy using available taxonomic keys and species descriptions [46], then databased and curated as outlined in the standard operating procedures. All resulting slide-mounted and ethanol collections of mites were deposited in the PMAE Invertebrate Zoology collection at the Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ...
Soil contains a diverse fauna and microflora that are vital for maintaining healthy soils and their various ecosystem services. Oribatid mites are typically highly abundant arthropods in the soil and are used as indicators for environmental monitoring. The aim of this study was to determine oribatid mite community response to natural land cover, anthropogenic disturbance, space, and climate in the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. Our results found that oribatid mite total abundance was significantly reduced by mining, cultivation, and well sites. Species richness was significantly reduced by mining and cultivation. Shannon’s diversity index was significantly higher for all natural land cover types, seismic lines, and forest harvest. Additionally, species diversity was lower under the relative influence of energy-related soft linear disturbances than for naturally vegetated sites and forest harvesting, and was lowered further by anthropogenic disturbances with more impact on soil integrity (cultivation, mines, urban/industrial, road/trail verges, well sites). Abundance, richness, and diversity also increased with increased frost free period and with eastward longitude. Mite community composition included a notable composition difference between lowland habitats and upland forest types, and between natural land cover and intense anthropogenic disturbance types (e.g., mines, cultivation). Our study highlighted oribatid mite communities’ response to natural land cover, anthropogenic disturbance and spatial–climatic factors assessed over broad spatial scales and the potential utility of oribatid mites as ecosystem health indicators under multiple ecological drivers.
The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected from Altai Krai and Altai Republic, southern part of Western Siberia, Russia. A list of 60 species, belonging to 51 genera and 29 families, is presented; of these, two species (Moritzoppia metulifera, Zachvatkinibates latilamellatus) are recorded for the first time in Russia; one new species -Sphaerozetes parafirthensis Ermilov n. sp.- is described from soil and moss collected in the Kosh-Agachsky District, Altai Republic. The new species differs from the closely related species, Sphaerozetes firthensis by the larger body size, narrowly lanceolate bothridial seta, strong lateral tooth on lamellar cusp, and broadly oval postanal porose area. An identification key to representatives of this genus from the Palaearctic region is provided.
Coastal salt marshes provide many ecosystem services; however, little is known of the biology of decomposer taxa in these systems. This study employed aboveground and belowground litterbags to characterize the fungal and mite communities associated with the dominant salt marsh grass, Sporobolus pumilus, in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia. Decomposition rates of aboveground and belowground tissues and environmental variables were quantified to contextualize temporal patterns in community composition. Aboveground litterbag mass loss peaked in July and decreased consistently over succeeding months, which positively correlated with fungal richness. Fungal and mite richness displayed inverse relationships over time, with mites gradually increasing in diversity before peaking in November, suggesting the presence of a complex detrital network where mites and fungi respond to different and possibly unrelated environmental cues. This study offers a first look at temporal community dynamics of two neglected groups of decomposers associated with S. pumilus in Canada.
Twelve junior homonyms were detected amongst the acarid genus group names and the following replacement names are proposed: Diasjatia nom. nov. for Fonsecaia Dias, 1963; Athiashenriotis nom. nov. for Arctopsis Athias-Henriot, 1973; Athiasodromus nom. nov. for Diadromus Athias-Henriot, 1960; Zachardaia nom. nov. for Krantzia Zacharda, 1983; Neomegaciella nom. nov. for Megaciella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960; Echinacrus Kiefer, 1966 for Pentamerus Roivainen, 1951; Gaudiomouchetus nom. nov. for Xiphiurus Gaud & Mouchet, 1959; Dabertia nom. nov. for Longipedia Dabert, 1992; Pandionacarus Balogh, 1937 for Bonnetella Trouessart, 1924; Paschoalia nom. nov. for Nortonella Paschoal, 1982; Baloghates nom. nov. for Calobates Balogh, 1961 and Berniniella nom. nov. for Cavernella Bernini, 1975. Accordingly, new combinations are herein proposed for the species currently included in these genus group names respectively: Haemaphysalis (Diasjatia) montgomeryi (Nuttall, 1912) comb. nov. ; Athiashenriotis inexpectatus (Athias- Henriot, 1973) comb. nov. ; Phytoseius (Athiasodromus) tiguus (Chant, 1959) comb. nov.; Zachardaia quadriseta (Zacharda, 1983) comb. nov.; Blankaartia (Neomegaciella) dohanyi (Nadchatram & Goff, 1980) comb. nov.; Blankaartia (Neomegaciella) gracilis (Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960) comb. nov.; Echinacrus acaciae (Smith-Meyer, 1989) comb. nov.; Echinacrus meliae (Kuang-Haiyuan, 1998) comb. nov.; Echinacrus psophocarpi (Chandrapatya, 1992) comb. nov.; Echinacrus septemcarinatus (Liro, 1941) comb. nov.; Gaudiomouchetus xiphiurus (Trouessart, 1885) comb. nov.; Dabertia tricalcarata (Trouessart & Neumann, 1888) comb. nov.; Pandionacarus fuscus (Nitzsch, 1818) comb. nov.; Paschoalia gildersleeveae (Hammer, 1952) comb. nov.; Paschoalia helvetica (Woas, 1992) comb. nov.; Paschoalia mongolica (Bayartogtokh & Aoki, 1997) comb. nov.; Paschoalia polygrammus (Wen & Chen, 1992) comb. nov.; Paschoalia tectoria (Wen & Chen, 1992) comb. nov.; Paschoalia transitus (Aoki, 1984) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Baloghates) antichthon (Higgins, 1966) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Baloghates) ornatissimus (Balogh, 1959) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Baloghates) ornatus (Mahunka, 1986) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Baloghates) tuberculatus (Mahunka, 1988) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) elongatus (Oudemans, 1915) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) flagellatus (Choi, 1994) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) incurva (Berlese, 1916) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) insularis (Balogh, 1970) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) lineatus (Mahunka, 1988) comb. nov.; Baloghates (Protoripoda) woolleyi (Balogh, 1970) comb. nov.; Berniniella helenae (Bernini, 1975) comb. nov. A family group name Pandionacarinae nom. nov. is also proposed for Bonnetellinae Atyeo & Gaud, 1981.
Species in the oribatid mite genus Tectoribates are primarily Palaearctic and Neotropical, with scattered, unidentified records from North America. Herein, we describe 3 new Tectoribates species from dry forest and prairie habitats in North America: T. alcecampestris sp. nov., from Alberta, T. borealis sp. nov., from southern Alberta and Ontario, both on the basis of adults and nymphs, and T. campestris sp. nov., from dry grassland habitats in Ontario and Kansas, on the basis of adults. We provide a revised and expanded diagnosis for adults of Tectoribates. We assess relationships of Tectoribates, using characters of adults and newly discovered apheredermous, plicate immatures. We include observations on Pseudotectoribates which is closely related to Tectoribates. The closest relatives of these genera are hypothesised to be among the Tegoribatidae (Achipterioidea) rather than among the Achipteriidae (Achipterioidea), Oribatellidae (Oribatelloidea), or Ceratozetoidea, as suggested in previous classifications. Finally, we give a key to adults of the world fauna of Tectoribates.
The morphology of the genus Scapheremaeus Berlese, 1910 is reviewed and characters of taxonomic utility delineated. Based on the morphological review, some 13 species-groups are outlined based on major morphotypes. There are two main categories: i) species that have a complete circumdorsal scissure with plicate microsculpture on the circumnotogastral plate and strongly contrasting microsculpture (foveolae, ridges or tubercles) on the centrodorsal plate (plicate species-groups), and ii) species with the circumdorsal scissure complete, incomplete or absent but with little or no contrast in microsculpture between the central and lateral regions: typically both regions foveolate or reticulate (non- plicate species-groups). A catalogue of world species of Scapheremaeus is provided. Scapheremaeus petrophagus (Banks, 1906) is not a Scapheremaeus but belongs to an undetermined genus in the Ameronothroidea. Cymbaeremaeus cyclops Oudemans, 1915 is recombined to Scapheremaeus. Five new species are described (S. angusi sp. nov., S. cheloniella sp. nov., S. ewani sp. nov., S. lambieae sp. nov., and S. pulleni sp. nov.) from soil and litter habitats in semi-arid Mallee eucalypt vegetation at Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, South Australia. These are the first members of the genus Scapheremaeus to be described from Australia, though undescribed species have been recorded previously. All the new species are morphologically closely-related and belong to a single species-group: Carinatus.
FABIO BERNINI Istituto di Zoologia dell’Universite di Sicna Notulae Oribatologicae XIII. La famiglia Oribatellidae (Acarida, Orihatei) nell’Arcipelago Toscano (Studi sulla Riserva Naturale dell’Iso1a di Montecristo. X) PREMES SA. Le isole de1I’Arcipelago Toscano (Fig. 1) nel corso degli ultimi anni sono state, e sono tuttora, oggetto di accurate indagini fauni— stiche da parte dei ricercatori de11’Istituto di Z001-ogia di Siena. Per quanto riguarda gli Oribatei, non tutte le isole maggiori sono state campionate con egual cura. Infatti, mentre si possono definire buone 1-e ricerche effettuate su Montecristo, Giglio, Gian- nutri, G-orgona e sufficienti quelle su Pianosa e 1’E1ba, rimane ancora molto da fare su Capraia. I1 Inateriale raccolto e relativo alla Oribatofauna e, comunque, ricchissimo quantitativamente e di grande interesse sistematico. At- tualmente esso e in gran parte ancora in corso di studio. Tuttavia, quello gie esaminato ha consentito i1 rinvenimento e la descrizione di diverse nuove specie (BERNINI, 1972b, 1975, 1976 in corso di starnpa). In questa nota intendo esporre i risultati relativi allo studio delle entite appartenenti alla famiglia Oribatellidzze. Gie in precedenza ho discusso di questo gruppo (BERNINI, 1972a), del quale ho anche incominciato una revisione (BERNINI, 1974b), basata sulla ridescrizione di tipi e topotipi delle specie piii vecchie. Ma oltre ad un interesse puramente sistematico-faunistico, mi ha guidato in tale sceita anche un ben preciso scopo zoogeo— grafico. E’ noto Che gli Oribatei non sono ritenuti a questo proposito animali di grande interesse. I rnolti errori e la superficialite con cui spesso essi sono stati esaminati ne hanno reso estrernamente caotica Ia sistematica. Inoltre, la scarsite di dati al Ioro riguardo per -molte regioni della Terra e la Ioro presunta facile trasportabilite, hanno portato a questa diffusa ed anche giustificata convinzione. Pubblicato il 15 dicembre 1975.