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Vertical and Horizontal Distributions of Oribatid Mites (Acari: Cryptostigmata) in an Aspen Woodland Soil
Author(s) -
Mitchell Myron J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936582
Subject(s) - woodland , ecology , acari , oribatida , taxon , mite , abundance (ecology) , litter , biology , geography
The vertical and horizontal distributions of five oribatid mite taxa from an aspen woodland soil (Alberta, Canada) were examined using core samples, high gradient extraction, and statistical analyses. Ceratozetes kananaskis, Ceratozetes gracilis, and Scheloribates spp. were predominant in the F (fermentation) and H (humus) organic horizons, whereas Eupterotegaeus rostratus and Eremaeus spp. were most common in the L (litter). Vertical distribution of each taxon was unique except between the L inhabitants. There were significant differences in the distribution of the life stages in C. kananaskis where the immatures were found deeper in the soil. Seasonal variations in vertical distributions were shown in the F—H, but not L, inhabitants. All taxa showed contagious horizontal distributions, F—H inhabitants generally showed a positive correlation to moisture and depth of organic horizons but the L inhabitants exhibited no or negative correlations. Within each of the 2 groupings (L and F—H) correlations of horizontal distribution were positive while between the groups negative correlations were evident. The horizontal abundance for each of the 5 taxa and the depth of organic horizons were mapped. The relationship of the spatial distribution to the ecology of oribatids is discussed.