The seasonal occurrence and ecological distribution of leaf litter-inhabiting oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from the Big Thicket National Preserve of east Texas /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1989.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Leaf litter and humus samples were collected from the 11 recognized vegetation associations in the Big Thicket National Preserve area of east Texas and mites were extracted using Berlese funnels. A total of 19,445 mites were collected, 17,002 (87.44%) of which were oribatids. The oribatids present represented five cohorts, 33 superfamilies, 52 families, 82 genera, and 103 species. The Floodplain Hardwood Forest station had highest number of oribatids/sample (70.7) and the Swamp Cypress Tupelo Forest station had the lowest value at 4.4. The highest species diversity was 4.48 at the Sandhill Pine Forest station and the lowest value was 3.63 at the Wetland Baygall Shrub Thicket station. The most abundant orbitad collected was Rostrozetes foveolatus and it was found at all stations on all collection dates. Of the 29 oribatids identified to species, 22 of them are new records for Texas. Total litter mites and oribatid mite numbers were at their lowest in the summer months and at their highest in the spring months. The low numbers during the summer months is probably due to low levels of rainfall and migration into the soil to avoid adverse environmental conditions. Oribatids compose the highest percentage of the total litter mite population in the wet winter months and the lowest percentage during the dry summer months. Oribatid species have an aggregated, or clumped, distribution. Cluster analysis of the oribatid mite community shows no relationship between oribatid mite ecological distribution and leaf litter composition and moisture content. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Zoology." |
| Physical Description: | xxii, 322 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm + 7 computer discs |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |