Evsel Denizhan

Three new Aceria species (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Turkey

Abstract Turkish populations of eriophyid mites infesting Malvaceae, Asteraceae and Caryophyllaceae were examined. Analyses of morphometric data, induced symptoms, and comparisons to the morphology and descriptions of known species indicated presence of three new species which are described and illustrated. These are: Aceria egmirae n. sp. from Althaea rosae (L.) Cavan, A. tinctoriae n. sp. from Anthemis tinctoria L. and A. ankarensis n. sp. from Dianthus chinensis L. No injuries were detected on the host plants.

Exceptionally High Levels of Genetic Diversity in Wheat Curl Mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) Populations from Turkey

ABSTRACT Recent research on the wheat curl mite species complex has revealed extensive genetic diversity that has distinguished several genetic lineages infesting bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and other cereals worldwide. Turkey is the historical region of wheat and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) domestication and diversification. The close relationship between these grasses and the wheat curl mite provoked the question of the genetic diversity of the wheat curl mite in this region. The scope of the study was to investigate genetic differentiation within the wheat curl mite species complex on grasses in Turkey. Twenty-one wheat curl mite populations from 16 grass species from nine genera (Agropyron sp., Aegilops sp., Bromus sp., Elymus sp., Eremopyrum sp., Hordeum sp., Poa sp., Secale sp., and Triticum sp.) were sampled in eastern and southeastern Turkey for genetic analyses. Two molecular markers were amplified: the cytochrome oxidase subunit I coding region of mtDNA (COI) and the D2 region of 28S rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high genetic variation of the wheat curl mite in Turkey, primarily on Bromus and Hordeum spp., and exceptionally high diversity of populations associated with bread wheat. Three wheat-infesting wheat curl mite lineages known to occur on other continents of the world, including North and South America, Australia and Europe, were found in Turkey, and at least two new genetic lineages were discovered. These regions of Turkey exhibit rich wheat curl mite diversity on native grass species. The possible implications for further studies on the wheat curl mite are discussed.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) in Van Lake Basin from Turkey

ABSTRACT There has been no study on the fauna of Eriophyoidea in the Van Lake Basin in the eastern part of Anatolia. A survey was carried out to determine the Eriophyoidea on the natural and cultured plants of the Van Lake Basin during 2007–2008. Twenty-five species were found, two of which (Eriophyes euphorbiae; Abacarus hystrix) are new records for the Turkish eriophyoid fauna.

Eriophyoid studies in Turkey: review and perspectives

Abstract Although the geographical location and botanical history of Turkey make the country a perfect place for a potentially rich diversity of eriophyoid mites, little is known about the Turkish eriophyoid fauna. The current paper is a brief review of the existing records of eriophyoid mites found so far in Turkey, with additional information on 6 grass-associated eriophyoid species recorded recently. The 134 eriophyoid species collected in Turkey come from only ca. 1.2% of all Turkish plant species. The role of collecting ecological and molecular data and studying economically significant eriophyoid mites species in this area is particularly stressed.

Infestation of grasses by eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) in Turkey

Despite the economic importance of eriophyoid mites as agricultural pests, especially of cereal crops, knowledge of the eriophyoid fauna in Turkey remains incomplete. This article presents the results of a 3-year study on grass-infesting eriophyoid mites in Turkey. The aim of this study was to collect and identify eriophyoid species infesting wild and cultivated grasses and to estimate the degree of overall mite infestation on grasses. The study involved both qualitative samples (to record the presence or absence of mites) and quantitative samples (to investigate the parameters of mite infestation: viz. prevalence, intensity and density). Seven eriophyoid species – Aceria tosichella (Keifer, 1969), Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa, 1896), Abacarus lolii Skoracka, 2009, Aculodes holcusi Skoracka, 2004, Aculodes dubius (Nalepa, 1891), Abacarus longilobus Skoracka, 2002, Aculodes sp. nov. – were collected from grasses in the course of this study. Quantitative data were available for the first four of these species, and parameters of infestation differed greatly among the hosts. Aceria tosichella was the species infesting the largest number of grass species, and A. hystrix was the species with the highest values of prevalence and density on wheat. New host species for A. tosichella were reported, including Dactylis glomerata, Bromus sclerophyllus, Eremopyrum orientale, Lolium temulentum and Poa bulbosa, all for the first time in Turkey.

Studies on the eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) of Turkey: Three new species associated with Fabaceae

Abstract Three new eriophyid mite species infesting Fabaceae in Turkey are described and illustrated: Anthocoptes trigonellae n. sp. on Trigonella sp., Aceria novellae n. sp. on Hedysarum sp., and Tetra glycyrrhizae n. sp. on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice). These mites did not cause any apparent symptoms to their hosts.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) from Turkey: description of five new species

Five new eriophyoid mite species (Eriophyidae) from Turkey are described and illustrated in this paper: Aceria vanensis n. sp., Aceria onosmae n. sp., Aculus lydii n. sp., Aculus gebeliae n. sp. and Aculus spectabilis n. sp.. The descriptions are based on the morphology of females collected from weedy plants, respectively: Amaranthus retroflexus L. (Amaranthaceae), Onosma isauricum Boiss. et Heldr. (Boraginaceae), Hypericum lydium Boiss. (Hypericaceae), Lotus gebelia Vent. (Fabaceae) and Stachys spectabilis Choisy ex DC. (Lamiaceae). The new species were found to be vagrant on their host plants with no visible damage symptoms observed.

One example of using geographic information systems studies in the field in acarology: Google Earth

ABSTRACT Geographic information systems are geographical position-based and analysis and information-sharing systems that can be used for all scientific studies. Google Earth software provides cartographical map information and satellite images to all internet users and shows the smallest settlement units of countries and cities. Researchers can also access map information quickly and are able to locate their geographical position. We used this system during a study of the determination of Eriophyoidea (Acarina) species, their hosts, distribution, natural enemies, and population development of Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa, 1892) on ornamental plants in Ankara.