mite preparations for identifications
DESCRIPTION
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) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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
Soil Mesofauna = Springtails and MitesMites (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 MESOSTIGMATAORIBATID PROSTIGMATA
16%
14%
60%
9%
Diversity of mites in willow woodland
(+/- 0.05 s.e.)
ASTIGMATA MESOSTIGMATAORIBATID PROSTIGMATA
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
Mite stored in alcohol
Mite soaked overnight in 90%
lactic acid (on warmer)
Mite placed on slide in pva, coverslip
edges sealed with dpx
“Quick” Preservation• Mites were left in eppendorfs
on a plate heater (lowest setting) overnight
• PVA = polyvinyl alcohol (I used to get mine from Sigma) I used 1 drop ~ 3 µl
• DPX = DPX Mountant (again from Sigma)
• Nail polish could also be used instead of DPX, but this does not last as long
Mite stored in alcohol
Mite soaked overnight in 90%
lactic acid (on warmer)
Mite placed on slide in PVA, coverslip
edges sealed with DPX
Identification• What level?
- Order (Collembola or Mite)- Lineage
(Mesostigmata/Oribatida)- Supercohort (Macropyline/Brachypyline)- Cohort
(Palaeosomata/Mixonomata)- Superfamily
(Phthiracaroidea/Lohmannioidea)
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
BrachypylinaEnarthronota
Mixonomata Desmonomata
Cohort
Cercomegistina
Antennophorina
Microgynina
Heatherellina
HeterozerconinaUropodina
Gamasina
Astigmata
Labidostommatides
Eupodides
AnystidesEleutherengonides
Anystina
Parasitengonina
Raphignathina
Heterostigmata
Sub-Cohort /Infra-Order
ArctacariaeParasitiae
Epicriiae
Dermanyssiae
Pycnonticae
Poronoticae
Euptyctima
Dichosomata
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.
SIMILAR TO ISPOT KEYS – but computer needs Java
Different Lucid KeyGreater scope- COHORTMesostigmata, Oribatid and Prostigmata.
http://keys.lucidcentral.org/key-server/player.jsp?keyId=42
Dichotomous Keys
• Used Tiling Key & Hopkins
• 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
BrachypylinaEnarthronota
Mixonomata Desmonomata
Cohort
Cercomegistina
Antennophorina
Microgynina
Heatherellina
HeterozerconinaUropodina
Gamasina
Astigmata
Labidostommatides
Eupodides
AnystidesEleutherengonides
Anystina
Parasitengonina
Raphignathina
Heterostigmata
Sub-Cohort /Infra-Order
ArctacariaeParasitiae
Epicriiae
Dermanyssiae
Pycnonticae
Poronoticae
Euptyctima
Dichosomata
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
BrachypylinaEnarthronota
Mixonomata Desmonomata
Cohort
Cercomegistina
Antennophorina
Microgynina
Heatherellina
HeterozerconinaUropodina
Gamasina
Astigmata
Labidostommatides
Eupodides
AnystidesEleutherengonides
Anystina
Parasitengonina
Raphignathina
Heterostigmata
Sub-Cohort /Infra-Order
ArctacariaeParasitiae
Epicriiae
Dermanyssiae
Pycnonticae
Poronoticae
Euptyctima
Dichosomata
Soil Mite or Tick?!
Mesostigmata IxodidaParasitiformes
Soil Mite or Tick?!
Mesostigmata IxodidaParasitiformes
- 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 IxodidaParasitiformes
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) (Figure)
Stigmata and peritreme
CheliceraeChelate-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 OribatidaRutellaChelicerae Chelate
Tracheal systemOxotaxic pores
Genital and anal shields
But this is also an Oribatid…
AND this is an Oribatid too!
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?• 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 courseSummer 2014
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~acarolog/summerProgram/index.html
Acknowledgments
Soil Mite ExpertsCal Welbourne
Valerie Behan-PelletierRoy Norton
David Walter