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Home , Achipteriidae, Alycidae, Amerobelbidae, Ameronothridae, Autognetidae, Brachychthoniidae

Mite preparations for identifications Day – 3

Felicity Crotty Collection • Most common method for collection is the use of Tullgren funnels. • Although others possible – floatation / pooters. • Collection / storage in 70% alcohol best method (unless want to further experiment) • Saturated salt solution also used

Preservation • Dissecting microscope to sort through fauna • Compound microscope to observe external structures for key • Highly sclerotised need to be “cleared” and disected before mounting on slides • This is to make “permanent” slides Mite stored in Preservation alcohol • Dissecting microscope to sort through fauna • Compound microscope to Mite soaked observe external structures overnight in 90% lactic acid (on for key warmer) • Highly sclerotised mites need to be “cleared” and disected before mounting on slides

• This is to make “permanent” Mite placed on slide in PVA, coverslip slides edges sealed with DPX Identification • What level? - (Collembola or Mite) - Lineage (/) - Supercohort (Macropyline/Brachypyline) - Cohort (Palaeosomata/Mixonomata) - Superfamily (Phthiracaroidea/Lohmannioidea)

Methods of identification • Computer based key “Lucid” • Available online • “Major mite taxa” home page • http://itp.lucidcentral.org/id/mites/invasive_mite /Invasive_Mite_Identification/key/Major_Mite_ta xa/Media/Html/Home_Major_Mite_Taxa.html • Unfortunately doesn’t cover that much – Order: Opilioacarida, , and Ixodida; Suborder: Mesostigmata; Supercohort: Oribatida and .

Different Lucid Key Greater scope

- COHORT Mesostigmata, Oribatid and Prostigmata.

http://keys.lucid central.org/key- server/player.jsp ?keyId=42

Dichotomous Keys

• Used Tiling Key • Paired statements of either words or images • Have to follow specific order • If character unknown / can’t see it easy to make a mistake and misidentify Dichotomous keys • Greater depth

Orders… Lineages… Families… … 

Sub-Class

Super-Order

Order Opilloacarida Holothrida Mesostigmata Ixodida

Monogynaspida Trigynaspida Prostigmata Sub-Order Sejida Oribatida

Palaeosomata Eupodides

Parhyposomata Labidostommatides Super-Cohort Eleutherengonides Anystides

Mixonomata Desmonomata

Astigmata Cercomegistina Microgynina Raphignathina Uropodina Cohort Anystina Heterozerconina Heterostigmata Heatherellina Gamasina Parasitengonina

Epicriiae Euptyctima Pycnonticae Sub-Cohort / Arctacariae Infra-Order Parasitiae Dermanyssiae Dichosomata Poronoticae ; Antennophorida; ; Dithinozerconidae; ; ; ; ; ; Protodinychidae; Sejida Macrochelidae; ; Microgyniidae ; ; ; ; ; ; Amerosidae; ; Phytoseidae; Metagynellidae; Euphthiracarida; ; ; Oribotritiidae; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Astegistidae; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; Hermanneiellidae; ; Poroliodidae; ; ; Damaeolidae; Cymbaeremaeid; ; Microzetidae; ; ; ; ; ; Euzetidae; Schleloribatidae; ; Zetomimidae; ; ; Mycobatidae; ; Passlozetidae; Licneremaeidae; Enichthoniidae; ; Atopochthoniidae; ; ; Gehypochthoniidae; ; Gustaviidae; Malaconothrida; ; Eulohmanniidae; ; Epilohmanniidae; ; ; ; ; ; Palaeacaridae Euphthiracarida; Phthiracaridae; Oribotritiidae; Oribotritiidae; Hydrozetidae; Peloppiidae; Autognetidae; Ctenobelbidae; Suctobelbidae ; Caleremaeidae; Micreremidae; Amerobelbidae; Oppiidae; Scutoverticidae; Cepheidae; Tectocepheidae; CarabodidaeCanestriniidae; Thyrisomidae; ; Astegistidae; ; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; Glycophagidae; Hermanneiellidae; ; Damaeidae; Poroliodidae; Eremaeidae ; Ameronothridae; Damaeolidae; Cymbaeremaeid; Galumnidae; Microzetidae; Achipteriidae; Haplozetidae; Phenopelopidae ; Oribatellidae; Ceratozetidae; Euzetidae; Schleloribatidae; Oribatulidae; Zetomimidae; Limnozetidae; Humerobatidae ; Mycobatidae; Chamobatidae; Passlozetidae; Licneremaeidae; Enichthoniidae; Hypochthoniidae; Atopochthoniidae ; Cosmochthoniidae; Brachychthoniidae; Gehypochthoniidae; Liacaridae; Gustaviidae; Malaconothrida; Trhypochthoniidae ; Eulohmanniidae; Perlohmanniidae; Epilohmanniidae; Nanhermanniidae; Hermanniidae; Camisiidae; Nothridae . Euphthiracarida; Phthiracaridae; Oribotritiidae; Oribotritiidae; Hydrozetidae; Peloppiidae; Autognetidae; Ctenobelbidae; Suctobelbidae ; Caleremaeidae; Micreremidae; Amerobelbidae; Oppiidae; Scutoverticidae; Cepheidae; Tectocepheidae;

CarabodidaeCanestriniidae; Thyrisomidae; Histiostomatidae; Astegistidae; Winterschmidtiidae; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; Glycophagidae; Hermanneiellidae; Acaridae ; Damaeidae; Poroliodidae; Alicohagiidae; ; ; Terpnacaridae Eremaeidae ; Ameronothridae; Damaeolidae; Cymbaeremaeid; Galumnidae; Microzetidae; Achipteriidae; Haplozetidae;

Phenopelopidae ; Oribatellidae; Ceratozetidae; Euzetidae; Schleloribatidae; Oribatulidae; Zetomimidae; Limnozetidae;

Humerobatidae ; Mycobatidae; Chamobatidae; Passlozetidae; Licneremaeidae; Enichthoniidae; Hypochthoniidae;

Atopochthoniidae ; Cosmochthoniidae; Brachychthoniidae; Gehypochthoniidae; Liacaridae; Gustaviidae; Malaconothrida;

Trhypochthoniidae ; Eulohmanniidae; Perlohmanniidae; Epilohmanniidae; Nanhermanniidae; Hermanniidae; Camisiidae;

Nothridae . ; Cryptognathidae; ; Penthalodidae; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Eutrombidiidae; ; Trombidulidae; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Erynetidae; Tydaeidae; Iolnidae; Triophytdaeidae;

Basic mite

Day – 3

Felicity Crotty Soil Mesofauna = Springtails and Mites Mites (Acari) • 45,000 described spp • Approx 64 spp in 1 grassland

• Three main orders • Mesostigmata • Oribatids • Prostigmata Stable Community Composition: Mites

Diversity of mites in Diversity mites in grassland willow woodland (+/- 0.05 s.e.) (+/- 0.05 s.e.)

9% 11% 16% 31% 23% 14%

61% 35%

ASTIGMATA MESOSTIGMATA ASTIGMATA MESOSTIGMATA ORIBATID PROSTIGMATA ORIBATID PROSTIGMATA Oribatid Soil Mite or ?!

Parasitiformes Mesostigmata Ixodida Soil Mite or Tick?!

Parasitiformes Mesostigmata Ixodida

- Smaller than ~ 5mm - Greater than ~5mm - Peritremes and stigmatal opening - Peritremes and stigmatal opening present (at level of coxae II-IV) absent - Four pairs of setae on - Subcapitulum with denticulate - Apotele with 2 or 3 tines hypostome - Tritosternum present - Palps usually 4 or fewer segments, - Female covered by 1-4 epigynal without apotele shields - Tritosternum absent Soil Mite or Tick?!

Parasitiformes Mesostigmata Ixodida Acari Key to main groups

• Stigmata usually without noticeable peritremes, and not situated at each side of the body near coxae I-IV. FEMALES: Genital shield jointed to open at one lateral edge of shield …………………………………………………..(next)

• Stigmata, one on each side of the body, situated in the region of coxae I-IV and usually provided with an elongate peritreme; chelicerae chelate-dentate mainly. FEMALES: Genital shield jointed to open at base. – Mesostigmata (or Parasitiformes)

Chelicerae 6 free segments: Tarsus, tibia, genu, Chelate-dentate femur, trochanter, coxae Stigmata and peritreme

Probably male as epigynal shield not distinct, or hinged Acari Key to main groups

• Gnathosoma with conspicuous rutella; chelicerae chelate, rarely modified; pedipalps simple. Tracheal system opening through stigmata or ‘pores’ on various parts of the body or absent; Body weakly OR strongly sclerotized. – Oribatida • Tracheal system opening through a pair of stigmata situated on or near the base of the gnathosoma; chelicerae and pedipalps usually strongly modified. Body usually poorly sclerotized. – Prostigmata Figure 1 Oribatida

Rutella Chelicerae Chelate

Tracheal system Oxotaxic pores

Genital and anal shields But this is also an Oribatid… AND this is an Oribatid too! Figure 2 Prostigmata

Chelicerae and pedipalps modified

Stigmata at base of gnathosoma 5 free segments: Tarsus, tibia, genu, femur, Body weakly trochanter. sclerotised CHARACTER PARASITIFORMES SARCOPTIFORMES TROMBIDIFORMES (MESOSTIGMATA) (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS) (PROSTIGMATA)

Chelicerae Chelate-dentate (except parasites) Usually chelate-dentate Often modified (spikes, stylets)

Hypostomal groove Present Absent Absent Tritosternum Usually present Absent Absent Gnathosomal tectum Present Absent Absent Palps Usually well developed, limb-like 5-segmented in Oribatida; Often reduced or modified 2-segmented in Astigmata Palp apotele Present Absent Absent Palp thumbclaw Present Absent Sometimes present Dorso-sejugal suture Absent Present Often indistinct Eyes Absent (except Allothyridae) Absent (rare exceptions) Sometimes present

Trichobothria Absent Present (except Nothroidea) Often present

Dorsal & ventral plates Usually 1 or 2 dorsal plates and Usually well developed dorsal and Often absent or small (numerous various ventral plates ventral plates exceptions) Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red

Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, anal plate With divided plates Usually without plates divided Genital papillae Absent Present Often present Lateral peritreme Usually present Absent Absent Lateral opisthosomal gland Absent Usually present Absent Coxae free Fused to ventral body Fused to body CHARACTER PARASITIFORMES SARCOPTIFORMES TROMBIDIFORMES (MESOSTIGMATA) (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS) (PROSTIGMATA)

Chelicerae Chelate-dentate Usually chelate-dentate Often modified (spikes, stylets)

Hypostomal groove Present Absent Absent Tritosternum Usually present Absent Absent Gnathosomal tectum Present Absent Absent Palps Usually well developed, 5-segmented in Oribatida; Often reduced or modified limb-like 2-segmented in Astigmata

Palp apotele Present Absent Absent Palp thumbclaw Present Absent Sometimes present Dorso-sejugal suture Absent Present Often indistinct Eyes Absent (except Allothyridae) Absent (rare exceptions) Sometimes present

Trichobothria Absent Present (except Nothroidea) Often present

Dorsal & ventral plates Usually 1 or 2 dorsal plates and Usually well developed dorsal Often absent or small (numerous various ventral plates and ventral plates exceptions) Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red

Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, With divided plates Usually without plates anal plate divided Genital papillae Absent Present Often present Lateral peritreme Usually present Absent Absent Lateral opisthosomal gland Absent Usually present Absent

Coxae Free Fused to ventral body Fused to body CHARACTER PARASITIFORMES SARCOPTIFORMES TROMBIDIFORMES (MESOSTIGMATA) (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS) (PROSTIGMATA)

Chelicerae Chelate-dentate Usually chelate-dentate Often modified (spikes, stylets)

Hypostomal groove Present Absent Absent Tritosternum Usually present Absent Absent Gnathosomal tectum Present Absent Absent Palps Usually well developed, limb-like 5-segmented in Oribatida; Often reduced or modified 2-segmented in Astigmata

Palp apotele Present Absent Absent Palp thumbclaw Present Absent Sometimes present Dorso-sejugal suture Absent Present Often indistinct

Eyes Absent (except Allothyridae) Absent (rare exceptions) Sometimes present

Trichobothria Absent Present Often present Dorsal & ventral plates Usually 1 or 2 dorsal plates and Usually well developed Often absent or small (numerous various ventral plates dorsal and ventral plates exceptions)

Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red

Genital & anal Genital plate undivided, anal plate With divided plates Usually without plates openings divided Genital papillae Absent Present Often present Lateral peritreme Usually present Absent Absent Lateral opisthosomal gland Absent Usually present Absent

Coxae free Fused to ventral body Fused to body CHARACTER PARASITIFORMES SARCOPTIFORMES TROMBIDIFORMES (MESOSTIGMATA) (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS) (PROSTIGMATA)

Chelicerae Chelate-dentate Usually chelate-dentate Often modified Hypostomal groove Present Absent Absent Tritosternum Usually present Absent Absent Gnathosomal tectum Present Absent Absent Palps Usually well developed, limb-like 5-segmented in Oribatida; Often reduced or modified 2-segmented in Astigmata

Palp apotele Present Absent Absent Palp thumbclaw Present Absent Sometimes present Dorso-sejugal suture Absent Present Often indistinct Eyes Absent (except Allothyridae) Absent (rare exceptions) Sometimes present 1 to 2 pairs) Trichobothria Absent Present (except Nothroidea) Often present

Dorsal & ventral plates Usually 1 or 2 dorsal plates and Usually well developed dorsal and Often absent or small (numerous various ventral plates ventral plates exceptions)

Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red

Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, anal plate With divided plates Usually without plates divided Genital papillae Absent Present Often present Lateral peritreme Usually present Absent Absent Opisthosomal gland Absent Usually present Absent Coxae free Fused to ventral body Fused to body Best Keys?

Best Keys? • Mesostigmatic mites of Britain and Ireland – Evans and Till (1979) Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 35, 139-270 • Oribatida – Norton and Behan-Pelletier (2009) In A manual of acarology. Krantz and Walter. • OR: Acarina: Oribatida – Norton (1990) In Soil Biology. Dindal • Acarina: Prostigmata – Kethley (1990) In Soil Biology. Dindal • Acarina: Astigmata – Philips (1990) In Soil Biology. Dindal Soil Acarology 3 week course Summer 2014

http://www.biosci.ohio- state.edu/~acarolog/summerProgram/index.html Acknowledgments

Soil Mite Experts Cal Welbourne Valerie Behan-Pelletier Roy Norton David Walter