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Stefan Scheu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild natural variations in stable isotope ratios 13c 12c 15n 14n of mesostigmatid mites acari Mesostigmata from central european beech forests
Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
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Trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild – Natural variations in stable isotope ratios (13C/12C, 15N/14N) of mesostigmatid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) from Central European beech forests
Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
Bernhard Klarner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild natural variations in stable isotope ratios 13c 12c 15n 14n of mesostigmatid mites acari Mesostigmata from central european beech forests
Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
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Trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild – Natural variations in stable isotope ratios (13C/12C, 15N/14N) of mesostigmatid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) from Central European beech forests
Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
Mark Maraun - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild natural variations in stable isotope ratios 13c 12c 15n 14n of mesostigmatid mites acari Mesostigmata from central european beech forests
Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
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Trophic diversity and niche partitioning in a species rich predator guild – Natural variations in stable isotope ratios (13C/12C, 15N/14N) of mesostigmatid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) from Central European beech forests
Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2013Co-Authors: Bernhard Klarner, Mark Maraun, Stefan ScheuAbstract:Abstract A large number of predatory mesostigmatid mite species populate forest soils in high densities. The present study investigates the trophic structure of the Mesostigmata community of old growth beech stands in Central Germany and identifies potential prey groups using natural variations in stable isotope ratios ( 13 C/ 12 C and 15 N/ 14 N). Data on relative abundances and body mass were included for each of the 40 species studied to analyze functional aspects in Mesostigmata feeding ecology. The results indicate that Mesostigmata predominantly feed on secondary decomposers, whereas primary decomposer and intra-guild prey are of minor importance. Dominant species featured high δ 13 C signatures suggesting that they predominantly feed on species relying on root derived resources such as bacterial feeding nematodes. Less abundant species where characterized by lower δ 13 C values suggesting that they predominantly feed on prey relying on litter derived resources such as fungal feeding Collembola. Related taxa often had distinctively different isotope ratios suggesting that trophic niche partitioning facilitates coexistence of morphologically similar species. Unexpectedly, the trophic position of Mesostigmata species was not related to body size reflecting the varying trophic position of their main prey, nematodes and Collembola, suggesting that body size is a poor predictor of trophic position in soil food webs.
Sławomir Kaczmarek - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Zercon utemisovi sp. n. – a new species of Zerconidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) from Kazakhstan with notes on Zercon karadaghiensis Balan, 1992
International Journal of Acarology, 2019Co-Authors: Sławomir Kaczmarek, Tomasz Marquardt, Bibigul JangazievaAbstract:ABSTRACTZercon utemisovi sp. n., (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) from Kazakhstan is described and illustrated based on adults of both sexes. The new species is most similar to Zercon kar...
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A new species of zerconid mite Zercon shevtchenkoi n. sp. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) from Ukraine
Acarologia, 2018Co-Authors: Katarzyna Faleńczyk-koziróg, Vasyl L. Shevchyk, Volodymir Pylypenko, Sławomir KaczmarekAbstract:A new species of the genus Zercon (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) Zercon shevtchenkoi n. sp. from the island Kryhlyk, Ukraine is described and illustrated. Descriptions and illustrations of the new species based on adults of both sexes, protonymphs and larva are provided.
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Microhabitat preferences of Oribatida and Mesostigmata (Acari) inhabiting lowland beech forest in Poland and the trophic interactions between these mites
European Journal of Soil Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Stanisław Seniczak, Anna Seniczak, Sławomir Kaczmarek, Radomir Graczyk, Katarzyna Faleńczyk-koziróg, Tomasz MarquardtAbstract:Abstract Five common microhabitats were selected on the forest floor (beech litter, moss on beech litter, moss on beech stumps, rotting beech wood and damp litter) and two microhabitats on beech trunks (moss collected 0.5 m and 2 m above the litter). The Oribatida had the greatest abundance in all microhabitats, with a mean density 4.2–91.2 fold higher than that of the Mesostigmata, while the species diversity of the Oribatida was similar, or at most, 2.8 fold greater, than that of the Mesostigmata. UPGMA quantitative analysis separated all moss microhabitats from the beech litter and rotting wood. Qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed similar habitat separation patterns, except for that moss on beech litter was clustered together with beech litter and rotting wood. In both analyses, the mite community of the damp litter was dissimilar from other mite communities. The maximal density of Oribatida occurred in moss on the lower part of beech trunks whereas minimum density was in damp litter, but the CCA analysis placed the Oribatida between moss on beech litter and moss on beech trunks. The maximum density of Mesostigmata occurred in beech litter and was at a minimum in rotting wood. But the CCA analysis placed the Mesostigmata between beech litter and damp litter. Significant correlations between the families of Mesostigmata and Oribatida were observed, more often evident in the juveniles than in the adults of Oribatida. These relationships are employed to explain the possible trophic interactions within the mite communities.
Heather C. Proctor - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Soil mites as bioindicators of disturbance in the boreal forest in northern Alberta, Canada: Testing taxonomic sufficiency at multiple taxonomic levels
Ecological Indicators, 2019Co-Authors: Matthew L. Meehan, Zhuoyan Song, Lisa M. Lumley, Tyler P. Cobb, Heather C. ProctorAbstract:Abstract Soil systems provide numerous ecosystem services but are often degraded due to anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Invertebrates can be used as biological indicators to provide information on soil health. Mites (Arachnida: Acariformes, Parasitiformes) constitute the majority of invertebrates in soil; however, their small size and diversity make them a challenging group to identify. Identification to levels coarser than species (e.g., genus, family) can alleviate some of the taxonomic difficulties. Here we test whether two groups of soil mites, Mesostigmata and Oribatida, can indicate three disturbance types (fire, forest harvest and linear features such as seismic lines and roads) in the boreal forest in northern Alberta. We assessed this at three taxonomic levels: species, genus and family. Samples were collected by the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute from 2010 to 2015 from across Alberta. We paired disturbed sites with nearby undisturbed sites while minimizing habitat and temporal differences (N pairs: fire = 13, harvest = 11, linear = 7). Mesostigmata were separated into two size categories, large only (>300 μm) and with small included (all mites > 50 μm), while oribatid were analyzed only with individuals > 300 μm. We used ANOVAs and PERMANOVAs to determine whether species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity and assemblage structure differed significantly between disturbed and undisturbed sites. Compared to undisturbed habitats, we found that richness and diversity of Mesostigmata > 50 μm were lower with fire disturbance at all three taxonomic levels; similarly, richness and diversity of Oribatida were lower with fire and harvest at all three taxonomic levels and richness was lower for linear disturbance at family-level. Assemblage structure of Mesostigmata > 50 μm indicated fire and linear disturbance at all three taxonomic levels, while that of Mesostigmata > 300 μm indicated all three-disturbance types at species-level, and harvest disturbance at genus and family. Assemblage structure of Oribatida indicated fire disturbance at all three taxonomic levels, and linear disturbance at genus and family. Our analyses showed that mesostigmatid and oribatid mites can indicate disturbance when identified to ranks coarser than species suggests that labour-intensive species-level identifications may not always be required for bioindicator studies using soil mites. The generality of these findings should be assessed in different regions and with different disturbances.
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Roles of environmental and spatial factors in structuring assemblages of forest-floor Mesostigmata in the boreal region of Northern Alberta, Canada
International Journal of Acarology, 2018Co-Authors: Matthew L. Meehan, Zhuoyan Song, Heather C. ProctorAbstract:ABSTRACTMesostigmatid mites (Arachnida: Parasitiformes) are a diverse, abundant group of soil predators; however, in comparison to some other groups of soil fauna (e.g. oribatid mites), little is known about environmental and spatial processes that influence local species richness and abundance. The main objective of our study was to identify factors strongly correlated with assemblages of Mesostigmata from boreal forests in northern Alberta, Canada. Soil and litter samples came from 62 sites with up to 4 samples per site (216 samples total), with a north–south range of ~800 km between sites. Environmental variables included ground cover type (e.g. moss, lichen, grass), disturbance intensity, precipitation, and temperature. From 3021 individual adult Mesostigmata, we identified 101 species/morphospecies from 21 families, the most species-rich being Ascidae, Zerconidae, and Digamasellidae. Redundancy analysis determined that the environmental variables that correlated most strongly with mite assemblages we...
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Mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) on rainforest tree trunks: arboreal specialists, but substrate generalists?
Experimental & applied acarology, 2006Co-Authors: Frédéric Beaulieu, Heather C. Proctor, David E. Walter, Roger L. Kitching, Florian MenzelAbstract:Predatory mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) on tree trunks without significant epiphytic growth in a subtropical rainforest in Eastern Australia were assessed for habitat specificity (i.e. whether they are tree trunk specialists or occupying other habitats) and the influence of host tree and bark structure on their abundance, species richness and species composition. The trunks of nine tree species from eight plant families representing smooth, intermediate and rough bark textures were sampled using a knockdown insecticide spray. In total, 12 species or morphospecies of Mesostigmata (excluding Uropodina sensu stricto) were collected, most of which are undescribed. Comparison with collections from other habitats indicates that epicorticolous Mesostigmata are mainly represented by suspended soil dwellers (six species), secondarily by generalists (four species) and a bark specialist (one species). A typical ground-dwelling species was also found but was represented only by a single individual. In terms of abundance, 50.5% of individuals were suspended soil dwellers, 40.7% bark specialists, and 8.3% generalists. Host species and bark roughness had no significant effect on abundance or species richness. Furthermore, there was no clear effect on species composition. The distribution of the most frequently encountered species suggests that most mesostigmatid mites living on bark use many or most rainforest tree species, independent of bark roughness. These findings support the hypothesis that some epicorticolous Mesostigmata use tree trunks as 'highways' for dispersing between habitat patches, while others use it as a permanent habitat.
