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23 October 2020 An alpha diversity survey of Heterostigmatic mites (Trombidiformes, Prostigmata) phoretic on scarabaeoid beetles in Hyrcani forest, northern Iran
Vahid Rahiminejad, Hamidreza Hajiqanbar, Ali Asghar Talebi
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Abstract

Complicated ecological interactions among numerous species could drive ecosystems towards more stability. Scarabaeoid beetles render a profound contribution to ecological processes through establishing symbiotic relationships with a variety of fungivorous mites. Such interactions with mites play important roles in forest conservation and biodiversity. In this study, we aimed to peruse the scarabaeoid-mite associations by alpha diversity tools. We investigated species diversity, richness and host range of heterostigmatic mites (Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) associated with scarabaeoid beetles. A total of 1113 individual mites belonging to 20 species were recorded from 870 adult individuals of Scarabaeidae (six species), 540 Lucanidae (two species) and 360 Geotrupidae (one species). Attachment site of the mites on the hosts were examined and discussed; that indicated they have most and least safety status on Lucanidae and Scarabaeidae, respectively. Spatulaphorus gorganica (Pygmephoridae) was the most frequent mite species, and Premicrodispus spinosus, P. brevisetus and Paramicrodispus scarabidophilus (Microdispidae) relatively common, whereas the other mites occurred occasionally. The host family Scarabaeidae showed to be more diverse than two other families, associated with highest number of mite species. The results of phoresy and host-range of heterostigmatic mites have been discussed.

© Systematic & Applied Acarology Society
Vahid Rahiminejad, Hamidreza Hajiqanbar, and Ali Asghar Talebi "An alpha diversity survey of Heterostigmatic mites (Trombidiformes, Prostigmata) phoretic on scarabaeoid beetles in Hyrcani forest, northern Iran," Systematic and Applied Acarology 25(11), 2033-2046, (23 October 2020). https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.25.11.9
Received: 24 April 2020; Accepted: 22 September 2020; Published: 23 October 2020
KEYWORDS
Host similarity
Safe positioning
species diversity
species richness
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