The seasonal abundance of oribatid mites (Acari: Cryptostigmata) on an irrigated Kikuyu grass pasture

The seasonal abundance of oribatid mites, the intermediate hosts of anoplocephaline cestodes, was studied on an irrigated Kikuyu grass pasture in Transvaal, South Africa. The following species were consistently present: Galumna nuda, Galumna rasilis, Scheloribates elsi and Tectocepheus sarekensis. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental & applied acarology 1994-02, Vol.18 (2), p.73-86
Main Authors: Nieuwenhuizen, L.C. van (Pretoria Univ., Onderstepoort (South Africa). Dept. of Veterinary Tropical Diseases), Verster, A.J.M, Horak, I.G, Krecek, R.C, Grimbeek, J.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acari
AFRIQUE DU SUD
Biological and medical sciences
CESTODA
CRYPTOSTIGMATA
CULTIVOS DE PASTO
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
HERBAGE CROPS
HOTE INTERMEDIAIRE
HUESPEDES INTERMEDIARIOS
HUMEDAD RELATIVA
HUMIDITE RELATIVE
INTERMEDIATE HOSTS
Invertebrates
Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control
Oribatida
PENNISETUM CLANDESTINUM
PLANTE POUR HERBAGE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
SEASONAL VARIATION
SOUTH AFRICA
SUDAFRICA
TEMPERATURA
TEMPERATURE
VARIACION ESTACIONAL
VARIATION SAISONNIERE
Vectors. Intermediate hosts
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Summary:The seasonal abundance of oribatid mites, the intermediate hosts of anoplocephaline cestodes, was studied on an irrigated Kikuyu grass pasture in Transvaal, South Africa. The following species were consistently present: Galumna nuda, Galumna rasilis, Scheloribates elsi and Tectocepheus sarekensis. The mean total number of mites on the herbage peaked in January (3.7 mites g super(-1) dry herbage) and correlated positively with temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and soil moisture on the day of collection. The mean total number of mites on the herbage including the top 5 cm of soil peaked in April (3,757 mites m super(-2)) and May (3,761 mites m super(-2)), and these numbers correlated positively with radiation on the day of collection. There was a significant decline in the number of mites on the herbage at midday and in the afternoon, but there was no difference in the number on the herbage including the top 5 cm of soil at different times of day. The trends in abundance are also discussed separately for each of the four species.
ISSN:0168-8162
1572-9702
DOI:10.1007/BF00055032