Sławomir Kaczmarek

Effects of air pollution produced by a nitrogen fertilizer factory on the mites (Acari) associated with young Scots pine forests in Poland

Abstract The effects of ammonium-rich air pollution, produced by a nitrogen fertilizer factory at Wloclawek (Poland), on arboreal and soil mites (Acari), was investigated in 20 year old Scots pine forests (Leucobryo-Pinetum). The concentration of this pollution in Scots pine bark, epiphytes and soil was lowest in the control plot and increased towards the pollution source. The density of arboreal mites was significantly lower in highly and medium polluted plots, compared to the control plot, while the density of soil mites was not significantly different. In all the polluted plots, the numbers of Oribatida (Cryptostigmata) and Gamasida (Mesostigmata) species was lower than in the control plot. Among mites, the following categories were distinguished: (1) those sensitive to nitrogen pollution, (2) those sensitive only to high pollution levels, but tolerant of the medium and small concentrations and (3) those tolerant of this pollution.

External morphology and ontogeny of three species of Damaeidae (Acari: Oribatida)

The morphology of juvenile stages and ontogeny of Belba compta (Kulczynski, 1902), Epidamaeus bituberculatus (Kulczynski, 1902) and Spatiodamaeus verticillipes (Nicolet, 1855) were described and illustrated for the first time. The juveniles of these species have 12 pairs of gastronotal setae (larva has 12 pairs, protonymph loses d-series setae and gains p-series, and 12 pairs remain in this and other nymphs). They differ mainly by the length of setae c 1 and la in the larva, which are relatively long in E. bituberculatus, short in S. verticillipes and of medium size in B. compta. The nymphs of the latter species have long seta c 3, whereas other species have this seta short. In the nymphs of B. compta, adanal setae are smooth; in E. bituberculatus, these setae have long barbs; but in S. verticillipes, they have short barbs. Ontogeny of leg setae is similar in all species, except for famulus (ϵ), which is emergent in the juveniles of B. compta and sunken in other species; the adults of all species have it emergent. Belba compta and E. bituberculatus lose seta c 3 in the adult, and 11 pairs of notogastral setae remain, whereas S. verticillipes loses seta c 3 and one seta of h-series, which is unique in Damaeidae. The diagnoses of B. compta, E. bituberculatus and S. verticillipes are modified and enriched in the morphological characters of juveniles, and systematic values of some morphological characters of juveniles of Belba von Heyden, 1826, Damaeus CL Koch, 1836, Epidamaeus Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957, Kunstidamaeus Miko, 2006, Metabelba Grandjean, 1936, Metabelbella Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1957 and Spatiodamaeus Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967 are discussed.

The effect of some air pollutants on the vertical distribution of mites (Acari) in soils of young Scots pine forests in Poland

The effect of heavy metals and nitrogen air pollution on the vertical distribution of mites in soils in about 20 year old Scots pine forests was investigated. A high concentration of heavy metals greatly reduced the density and species richness of mites, especially in the Of/h and AEes horizons, whereas a low concentration increased the density in all soil horizons, compared with the control plots. A high concentration of nitrogen pollution reduced slightly the density of mites in all soil horizons, while lower concentrations increased their density: a medium concentration in the Ol and Of/h horizons, and a low concentration in the Ol horizon.

Ovoviviparity in Macrocheles glaber (Müller) (Acari: Macrochelidae), with notes on parental care and egg cannibalism

In Macrocheles glaber (Müller), oviposition can involve either oviparity or egg production followed by immediate hatching of the larva, a process that may be called ovoviviparity. We observed three phases in the process of ovoviviparity: preoviposition behaviour, oviposition followed by holding the egg under the gnathosoma and hatching of the larva assisted by the female. Two factors appear to favour the occurrence of ovoviviparity in this species: poor feeding and poor substrate quality. We witnessed egg cannibalism four times in two of the four females that we observed. We discuss the consequences of variable oviposition strategy, parental care and egg cannibalism in M. glaber in the context of maximization of reproductive success.

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of steppe vegetation on cape Tarhankut in Crimea (Ukraine)

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of steppe vegetation on cape Tarhankut in Crimea (Ukraine) Oribatid mites were investigated in patches of steppe vegetation, dominated by esparto (Stipa sp.), other grasses, Artemisia caucasica, Sedum sp., mosses, or lichens, on cape Tarhankut in Crimea (Mediterranean climate). These mites were quite abundant and rich in species there, probably thanks to the fresh sea breeze and geographic expansion of species from the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, and Europe. They achieved the highest density in patches of steppe grasses other than esparto, but most species occurred in sedum patches. The most abundant was Tectocepheus velatus, especially in patches of steppe grasses other than esparto, and relatively abundant were Scutovertex sp. 1, Jacotella neonominata and Scheloribates laevigatus. In populations of these species the adults usually dominated, but their age structure greatly depended on vegetation type.

Effect of alkaline deposition on the mites (ACARI) associated with young scots pine forests in Poland

The effect of alkaline deposition produced by the ‘Kujawy’ cement and lime factory in Bielawy, Poland, on the mites in young Scots pine forests (plants class Vaccinio-Piceetea) was investigated. The concentration of calcium in tree bark and epiphytes, which provide a habitat for mites, as well as in soil was the lowest in the control plot, and increased in the direction of the factory. A high concentration of calcium correlated with an absence of lichens from tree bark, but a medium concentration was associated with a higher species number of lichens. The density of arboreal mites and the species number of Oribatida were the highest in the control plot and decreased when getting closer to the factory. In a highly contaminated plot, the density of soil mites was lower, while in a medium contaminated plot it was higher than in the control plot. In the contaminated plots, the species number of soil Oribatida and Gamasida was lower than in the control plot, except in a least contaminated plot where the number of gamasid species was higher than in the control plot. Some species were sensitive to calcium, others were sensitive to a high concentration but tolerated medium and small concentrations of this element, and yet others tolerated calcium. The arboreal mites reacted to alkaline deposition more distinctly than soil mites.

Ontogeny of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae (Acari: Oribatida)

In this study, the complete ontogenetic development of morphological traits in Phenopelopidae was investigated on the base of juvenile and adult specimens of Eupelops hirtus (Berlese, 1916) and Peloptulus phaenotus (CL Koch, 1844) and literature. The juveniles of Eupelops Ewing, 1917, Peloptulus Berlese, 1908 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 show plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which seem to be typical of Phenopelopidae. However, the juveniles of Eupelops and Peloptulus have some or all marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, at least one setal pair on the posterior part of gastronotum (h1 in larva and h3 in nymphs), whereas those of Propelops have these setae long or short. The juveniles and adults of Eupelops and Peloptulus differ distinctly from those of Propelops in the type of subcapitulum and chelicerae; the two former genera have the subcapitulum secondarily anarthric and the chelicerae pelopsiform, whereas the latter genus has the subcapitulum diarthric and the chelicerae normal. The adults of Eupelops and Propelops have 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including c2 and 2–3 or three pairs of p-series, respectively, whereas that of Peloptulus has eight pairs, including c2 and p1 (p2 and p3 are lost). The two former genera have also setae of ad-series, whereas the latter genus lacks them. In Eupelops seta in is long and phylliform, whereas in other genera it is setiform; long in Propelops and short or long in Peloptulus. In all genera the anterior part of notogaster protrudes over the prodorsum as a tectum, but in Eupelops this tectum is considerably larger than in other genera.

Morphology of juvenile stages and ontogeny of three species and genera of Eremaeidae (Acari, Oribatida)

The morphology of juvenile stages of Eremaeus cordiformis Grandjean, 1934 is redescribed and illustrated, and those of Eueremaeus laticostulatus Bayartogtokh, 2003 and Proteremaeus punctulatus Bayartogtokh, 2000 are described and illustrated for the first time. The juveniles of these species differ from each other mainly by the presence of distinct prodorsal ridges in the central part of the prodorsum, shape and distribution of some setae, and number of adanal and anal setae. The larva of Er. cordiformis has these ridges, whereas other species lack them. Eueremaeus laticostulatus has relatively long and barbed prodorsal seta in in the larva and most gastronotal setae similarly ornamented in all juveniles, whereas other species have these setae short and smooth. The nymphs of Er. cordiformis and Eu. laticostulatus have three pairs of posterior gastronotal setae (p1, h1, h2), which are inserted close to each other in transverse row, whereas those of P. punctulatus have only two pairs (p1, h1) there, and seta h2 is inserted far from seta h1 and closer to seta p2. The nymphs of all species lose dorsal gastronotal setae of d-series and carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars directly on the glabrous gastronotum mainly due to lateral folds. The nymphs and adult of P. punctulatus have three pairs of adanal setae and two pairs of anal setae, whereas those of other species have at least five pairs of each series. The adult of Er. cordiformis has 11 pairs of notogastral setae, whereas other species investigated here have 10 pairs. The adults of all species have lamellar costulae on the prodorsum, but in P. punctulatus they are more widely separated than in other species. At present the systematic position of Proteremaeus is controversial in the literature, but the morphology of juveniles and adult of P. punctulatus investigated here confirms the membership of this genus in the Eremaeidae. A number of morphological characters support the separation of Er. hepaticus and Er. cordiformis and we provisionally reject their synonymy, until the type or topotypic material is compared.

Morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus and Eupelops plicatus (Acari, Oribatida, Phenopelopidae)

In this study, the morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus (Berlese, 1916) and E. plicatus (C. L. Koch, 1835) are investigated and morphological characters of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 are discussed. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which is typical of Phenopelopidae, whereas the length of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. Eupelops curtipilus has these setae short, except for a long and thick posterior seta h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs, whereas Eupelops plicatus has them longer and thicker, especially setae lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. The adults of E. curtipilus and E. plicatus have long, phylliform seta in, 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including three pairs of p-series, and three pairs of adanal setae, which are typical of Eupelops, but differ by the length and location of some notogastral setae. Eupelops curtipilus has all these setae short, including h1, whereas E. plicatus has them longer, especially h1. The former species has setae lp and h3 inserted close to each other, with porose area A1 between them, whereas the latter species has setae lp and h3 separated and A1 at the insertion of seta lp. The adults of both species have ventrodistal apophysis on genu I, which may have generic value. The juveniles and adult of E. plicatus have more long and thick setae on the leg segments than those of E. curtipilus. Eupelops curtipilus is considered a Palaearctic species, whereas E. plicatus is Holarctic.

Morphology of juveniles supports transfer of Lepidozetes singularis from Tegoribatidae to Ceratozetidae (Acari: Oribatida)

The systematic position of Lepidozetes singularis Berlese, 1910, which is the type species of the oribatid mite genus Lepidozetes Berlese, 1910, was investigated in the light of ontogenetic studies. The morphology of the adult indicates that L. singularis is presently classified under Tegoribatidae (Achipterioidea), the juveniles of which have plicate cuticle and no humeral organ, but the juveniles of this species (investigated here for the first time) have smooth cuticle, a dorsal macrosclerite and a humeral organ and a dark pigmented area around the opisthonotal gland opening, all of which are typical of Ceratozetoidea. The latter superfamily is a large one, but a humeral organ occurs only in the juveniles of Ceratozetidae and Mycobatidae, which differ distinctly in the morphology of the adult; Ceratozetidae lacks a posterior tectum on the notogaster, whereas Mycobatidae has it. The adult of L. singularis has no posterior tectum on the notogaster; these findings support the transfer of the type species and genus from Tegoribatidae to Ceratozetidae. The diagnosis of L. singularis is enriched by the morphological characters of juveniles, and the systematic position of L. singularis in Ceratozetidae is discussed; most likely it belongs to the Trichoribatinae.