An association between the Antarctic mite Alaskozetes antarcticus and an entomophthoralean fungus of the genus Neozygites

Abstract

A fungal pathogen provisionally identified as Neozygites cf. acaridis has recently been isolated from the Antarctic oribatid mite Alaskozetes antarcticus. The identification of the fungus is discussed with reference to recent changes in the taxonomy of Neozygites. The potential role of the fungus in the Antarctic mite populations is considered in relation to the known mite life cycles, and the particular environmental conditions in the Antarctic.

Investigating the insecticidal potential of Geomyces (Myxotrichaceae: Helotiales) and Mortierella (Mortierellacea: Mortierellales) isolated from Antarctica

“…Sourcing insect-killing organisms from environmentally challenging habitats can uncover adaptations of value when developing these organisms as pest-control agents, e.g., cold-tolerant nematodes sourced from Scotland for black vine weevil control (Long et al 2000) and this potential to find environmentally robust organisms has spurred an array of surveys from Sub-Saharan Africa (Shah et al 1997) to within the polar circles (Vänninen 1996; Haukeland et al 2006; Bridge and Worland 2008). In 2009 a project investigating cold-tolerant fungal isolates identified four strains collected from Antarctica (by British Antarctic Survey scientists) with enzyme profiles indicative of insecticidal potential (P. Bridge et al unpublished results).…”

IPM Potentials of Microbial Pathogens and Diseases of Mites

“…VAN DER GEEST also considered to be a synonym of N. floridana (Keller, 1997). Bridge and Worland (2008) observed a Neozygites infection in the cryprostigmatic mite Alaskozetes antarcticus (Ameronothridae). This mite was collected at Rip Point, Nelson Island off the West coast of the Antarctic peninsula.…”