Assemblages of oribatid mites in ant nests of Acromyrmex spp. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.13.23.3.0.1160Keywords:
leaf-cutter ants, eco-region PampasAbstract
Nests of Acromyrmex spp. exhibit aboveground elevations (tumulus) which maintain a stable microclimate, offering an attractive environment for oribatids and other soil invertebrates. We studied assemblages of Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in tumuli of two species of Acromyrmex in Integral Reserve Laguna de Los Padres, Buenos Aires province. Samples from nests of Acromyrmex lundii and A. ambiguus, and from their surrounding soil revealed the presence of 1440 oribatids belonging to 18 families, 25 genera and 34 species. Three of the species had not been previously described. Oribatid mites was the most abundant group and were more abundant on tumulus than in the surrounding soil. Conversely, its richness, diversity and evenness did not differ between sites or between ant species. The species composition varied between sites but the most abundant species were the same in tumuli and soil. We found an inverse relationship between density of substrate (tumulus or soil) and density of Oribatida. Potential myrmecophilous species were identified. Nests of Acromyrmex spp. exhibit aboveground elevations (tumulus) which maintain a stable microclimate, offering an attractive environment for oribatids and other soil invertebrates. We studied assemblages of Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in tumuli of two species of Acromyrmex in Integral Reserve Laguna de Los Padres, Buenos Aires province. Samples from nests of Acromyrmex lundii and A. ambiguus, and from their surrounding soil revealed the presence of 1440 oribatids belonging to 18 families, 25 genera and 34 species. Three of the species had not been previously described. Oribatid mites was the most abundant group and were more abundant on tumulus than in the surrounding soil. Conversely, its richness, diversity and evenness did not differ between sites or between ant species. The species composition varied between sites but the most abundant species were the same in tumuli and soil. We found an inverse relationship between density of substrate (tumulus or soil) and density of Oribatida. Potential myrmecophilous species were identified.
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