Systematic & Applied Acarology
ISSN 1362-1971
An international journal of the Systematic and Applied Acarology Society, published since 1996

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Systematic & Applied Acarology (2007) 12, 121-125

Preliminary study of the feeding habits of seven species of oribatid mites from Nigeria

M.A. Badejo1 & P.O. Akinwole1,2

1Laboratory for Systematics and Ecology of Arthropods, Zoology Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria

2Corresponding author. A-229 Bevil Building, Box 870206, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. E-mail: akinphilips@yahoo.com

Abstract

Feeding habits of members of two genera of macropyline oribatid mites (Mesoplophora and Nothrus) and five genera of brachypyline mites (Pergalumna, Scheloribates, Muliercula, Galumnella and Teleolides) from Nigeria were studied in laboratory experiments. Individuals extracted directly from the soil were observed in October 2002 for 287 days and May 2003 for 102 days. Edible yeast, algae (Pleurococcus sp.), litter filtrate and litter residue were offered for consumption. Presence of the mites on the food types as well as reduction in food size were used as indicators of consumption. Based on their food preferences in the laboratory, Pergalumna sp., S. mochlosimilaris, G. sonpona and M. inexpectata were classified as panphytophagous while M. ifeana, a surface dweller, was classified as microphytophagous. The alga Pleurococcus sp. seemed to be the most suitable food for Teleolides sp. It was observed that the relatively larger Pergalumna sp. and Teleolides sp., whose populations were extremely low in the field, fed more actively on almost all available food materials offered in the laboratory, hence their relatively longer survival in the laboratory when compared to the other taxa. Nothrus lasebikani did not feed in the laboratory experiments.

Key words: Oribatid mites, Nigeria, food preferences, edible yeast, Pleurococcus sp., forest litter, laboratory experiments

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