Mite preparations for identifications
Day – 3
Felicity Crotty
Collection • Most common method for
mite 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 mites need to be “cleared” and disected before mounting on slides
• This is to make “permanent” slides
Preservation Mite
stored in alcohol
Mite soaked overnight in 90%
lactic acid (on warmer)
Mite placed on slide in PVA, coverslip
edges sealed with DPX
• Dissecting microscope to sort through fauna
• Compound microscope to observe external structures for key
• Highly sclerotised mites need to be “cleared” and disected before mounting on slides
• This is to make “permanent” slides
Identification • What level?
- Order (Collembola or Mite)
- Lineage (Mesostigmata/Oribatida)
- 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_taxa/Media/Html/Home_Major_Mite_Taxa.html
• Unfortunately doesn’t cover that much –
Order: Opilioacarida, Holothyrida, and Ixodida; Suborder: Mesostigmata;
Supercohort: Oribatida and Prostigmata.
Different Lucid Key
Greater scope
- COHORT
Mesostigmata, Oribatid and Prostigmata.
http://keys.lucidcentral.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…
Genus…
Species
Acari
Parasitiformes Acariformes
Sub-Class
Super-Order
Order Opilloacarida Holothrida Mesostigmata Ixodida Sarcoptiformes Trombidiformes
Sub-Order Sejida
Trigynaspida Monogynaspida Endeostigmata
Oribatida
Sphaerolichida
Prostigmata
Super-Cohort
Palaeosomata
Parhyposomata
Brachypylina Enarthronota
Mixonomata Desmonomata
Cohort
Cercomegistina
Antennophorina
Microgynina
Heatherellina
Heterozerconina
Uropodina
Gamasina
Astigmata
Labidostommatides
Eupodides
Anystides Eleutherengonides
Anystina
Parasitengonina
Raphignathina
Heterostigmata
Sub-Cohort / Infra-Order
Arctacariae
Parasitiae
Epicriiae
Dermanyssiae
Pycnonticae
Poronoticae
Euptyctima
Dichosomata
Trachytidae; Dithinozerconidae; Polyaspididae; Protodinychidae; Dinychidae; Trachyuropodidae; Trematuridae; Oplitidae; Metagynellidae; Uropodidae
Microgyniidae
Epicriidae; Zerconidae
Parasitidae Antennophorida; Celaenopsidae Veigaiidae; Ologamasidae;
Rhodacaridae; Digamasellidae; Macrochelidae; Pachylaelapidae; Eviphididae; Podocinidae; Laelapidae; Amerosidae; Phytoseidae; Ascidae
Sejida
Euphthiracarida; Phthiracaridae; Oribotritiidae; Oribotritiidae; Hydrozetidae; Peloppiidae; Autognetidae; Ctenobelbidae; Suctobelbidae; Caleremaeidae; Micreremidae; Amerobelbidae; Oppiidae; Scutoverticidae; Cepheidae; Tectocepheidae; Carabodidae; Thyrisomidae; Astegistidae; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; 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; Adelphacaridae; Palaeacaridae
Euphthiracarida; Phthiracaridae; Oribotritiidae; Oribotritiidae; Hydrozetidae; Peloppiidae; Autognetidae; Ctenobelbidae; Suctobelbidae; Caleremaeidae; Micreremidae; Amerobelbidae; Oppiidae; Scutoverticidae; Cepheidae; Tectocepheidae; Carabodidae; Thyrisomidae; Astegistidae; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; 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.
Canestriniidae; Histiostomatidae; Winterschmidtiidae; Glycophagidae; Acaridae
Euphthiracarida; Phthiracaridae; Oribotritiidae; Oribotritiidae; Hydrozetidae; Peloppiidae; Autognetidae; Ctenobelbidae; Suctobelbidae; Caleremaeidae; Micreremidae; Amerobelbidae; Oppiidae; Scutoverticidae; Cepheidae; Tectocepheidae; Carabodidae; Thyrisomidae; Astegistidae; Cepheidae; Quadroppidae; 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.
Canestriniidae; Histiostomatidae; Winterschmidtiidae; Glycophagidae; Acaridae
Alicohagiidae; Nanorchestidae; Alycidae; Terpnacaridae
Labidostommatidae; Cryptognathidae; Eriophyoidea; Penthalodidae; Scutacaridae; Tarsonemidae; Pygmephoridae; Acarophenacidae; Calyptostomatidae; Microtrombidiidae; Smarididae; Erythraeidae; Tanaupodidae; Johnstonianidae; Eutrombidiidae; Trombidiidae; Trombidulidae; Anystidae; Cheyletidae; Stigmaeidae; Bdellidae; Cunaxidae; Eupodidae; Penthaleidae; Rhagidiidae; Erynetidae; Tydaeidae; Iolnidae; Triophytdaeidae;
Basic mite taxonomy
Day – 3
Felicity Crotty
Soil Mesofauna = Springtails and Mites Mites (Acari)
• Three main orders
• Mesostigmata
• Oribatids
• Prostigmata
• 45,000 described spp
• Approx 64 spp in 1 grassland
Stable Community Composition: Mites
11%
23%
35%
31%
Diversity mites in grassland (+/- 0.05 s.e.)
ASTIGMATA MESOSTIGMATA
ORIBATID PROSTIGMATA
16%
14%
61%
9%
Diversity of mites in willow woodland
(+/- 0.05 s.e.)
ASTIGMATA MESOSTIGMATA
ORIBATID PROSTIGMATA
Oribatid
Soil Mite or Tick?!
Mesostigmata Ixodida
Parasitiformes
Soil Mite or Tick?!
Mesostigmata Ixodida
Parasitiformes
- Smaller than ~ 5mm - Peritremes and stigmatal opening
present (at level of coxae II-IV) - Four pairs of setae on subcapitulum - Apotele with 2 or 3 tines - Tritosternum present - Female covered by 1-4 epigynal
shields
- Greater than ~5mm - Peritremes and stigmatal opening
absent - Subcapitulum with denticulate
hypostome - Palps usually 4 or fewer segments,
without apotele - Tritosternum absent
Soil Mite or Tick?!
Mesostigmata Ixodida
Parasitiformes
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)
Stigmata and peritreme
Chelicerae Chelate-dentate
Probably male as epigynal shield not distinct, or hinged
6 free segments: Tarsus, tibia, genu, femur, trochanter, coxae
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
Stigmata at base of gnathosoma
Chelicerae and pedipalps modified
Body weakly sclerotised
5 free segments: Tarsus, tibia, genu, femur, trochanter.
CHARACTER PARASITIFORMES (MESOSTIGMATA)
SARCOPTIFORMES (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS)
TROMBIDIFORMES (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; 2-segmented in Astigmata
Often reduced or modified
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 various ventral plates
Usually well developed dorsal and ventral plates
Often absent or small (numerous exceptions)
Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red
Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, anal plate divided
With divided plates Usually without plates
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 (MESOSTIGMATA)
SARCOPTIFORMES (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS)
TROMBIDIFORMES (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; 2-segmented in Astigmata
Often reduced or modified
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 various ventral plates
Usually well developed dorsal and ventral plates
Often absent or small (numerous exceptions)
Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red
Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, anal plate divided
With divided plates Usually without plates
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 (MESOSTIGMATA)
SARCOPTIFORMES (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS)
TROMBIDIFORMES (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; 2-segmented in Astigmata
Often reduced or modified
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 various ventral plates
Usually well developed dorsal and ventral plates
Often absent or small (numerous exceptions)
Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red
Genital & anal openings
Genital plate undivided, anal plate divided
With divided plates Usually without plates
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 (MESOSTIGMATA)
SARCOPTIFORMES (ORIBATIDS & ASTIGS)
TROMBIDIFORMES (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; 2-segmented in Astigmata
Often reduced or modified
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 various ventral plates
Usually well developed dorsal and ventral plates
Often absent or small (numerous exceptions)
Colour Usually brown to red-brown Usually brownish to black Often white, yellow, green, red
Genital & anal openings Genital plate undivided, anal plate divided
With divided plates Usually without plates
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