Communities of uropodine mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in selected oak-hornbeam forests of the Wielkopolska region (Poland) |
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Authors: | Agnieszka Napiera?a Jerzy B?oszyk and Jan Bruin |
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Institution: | (1) Department of General Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland;(2) Faculty of Biology AMU, Natural History Collections, ul. Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland;(3) IBED, Section Population Biology, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 320, 1098 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Pristine oak-hornbeam forests are among the richest flora and fauna environments in Poland. The agricultural development of
the Wielkopolska region has led to the replacement of forest area with farmland. Consequently, the oak-hornbeam forests became
fragmented, resulting in the isolation of local arthropod populations. The aim of this study was to compare the communities
of uropodine mites in selected parts of a forest, differing in stand age and composition, physical soil condition and degree
of anthropogenic pressure. Species composition of mite communities in a forest near Duszniki (West Poland), transformed by
humans, was compared with the mite species composition observed in three nature reserves in its close vicinity. The analyses
showed that Trachytes aegrota and Olodiscus minima constitute more than 50% of all communities in each type of tree stand. Diversity in Uropodina communities was higher in
older tree stands, as well as in protected areas. Some species, such as Uroobovella pulchella, Uroobovella pyriformis and Dinychus woelkei, are related to specific microhabitats (e.g., they inhabit only dead wood) but there are also ubiquitous species, occurring
in all types of environment, e.g., Oodinychus ovalis. Species like Oodinychus karawaiewi and Dinychura cordieri indicate a high degree of forest disturbance. Presence of such species as Trachytes lamda, Cilliba rafalskii, Cilliba cassideasimilis and Trematurella elegans points at high naturalness of soil in oak-hornbeam forests. These species have been found in old (>100 years old) tree stands,
where Uropodina communities were also the richest. |
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