Community structure and dispersal of mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) in nests of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Abstract

The fauna of Mesostigmata in nests of the white stork Ciconia ciconia was studied in the vicinity of Poznań (Poland). A total of 37 mite species was recovered from 11 of the 12 nests examined. The mite fauna was dominated by the family Macrochelidae. Macrocheles merdarius was the most abundant species, comprising 56% of all mites recovered. Most of the abundant mite species were associated with dung and coprophilous insects. It is likely that they were introduced into the nests by adult storks with dung as part of the nest material shortly before and after the hatching of the chicks.

Mesostigmatic mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in nests of the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia

“…Macrocheles ancyleus has often been found in perennial nests of birds of prey (Gwiazdowicz et al 1999(Gwiazdowicz et al , 2000 and the black stork (B loszyk et al 2009), and it was also present in nests of the white stork Bajerlein et al 2006;), but only three specimens were found in this study. On the other hand, Poecilochirus austroasiaticus is typically associated with carrion (Korn 1983), and is carried phoretically by necrophilous beetles of the genus Nicrophorus.…”

“…The most abundant component of this associated fauna are arthropods, especially mites. Many birds build nests that last only for a single season, but the large perennial nests made by birds of prey and other birds such as storks allow the development of mite communities of definite structure and species composition (Philips 1981;Gwiazdowicz 2003a, b;Gwiazdowicz et al 1999Gwiazdowicz et al , 2000Gwiazdowicz et al , 2005Gwiazdowicz et al , 2006Bajerlein et al 2006;B loszyk et al 2005Krištofik et al 2009). …”

Nests of the black stork Ciconia nigra as a habitat for mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata)

“…This predatory European mite species has been recorded in manure, compost and decomposing litter (Hirschmann & Wiśniewski 1982) and is also found in bird nests, e.g., white stork Bajerlein et al 2006) and the white-tailed eagle .…”

“…It is often found in dung, either fresh and wet or old and dry, and is also found in bird nests, including those of the common blackbird Turdus merula L., 1758 (Mašán 2003), and the white stork Bajerlein et al 2006). Macrocheles ancyleus Krauss, 1970 (Macrochelidae) was described from a rotting log, but appears to have a strong affinity for bird nests.…”

“…The majority of studies on mites in this type of habitat have concentrated on the annual nests of small, mainly passerine birds (B loszyk & Olszanowski 1985(B loszyk & Olszanowski , 1986Mašán & Krištofik 1995;Krištofik et al 2001;Tryjanowski et al 2001;Gwiazdowicz 2003a). The limited data available on the fauna of multi-annual nests of large species like birds of prey or wading birds, show that their mite assemblages are more uniform, characterized by specific species composition and structure (Philips 1981(Philips , 2000Philips et al 1983;Gwiazdowicz et al 1999Gwiazdowicz et al , 2000Gwiazdowicz et al , 2005Gwiazdowicz et al , 2006Gwiazdowicz 2003b;B loszyk et al 2005Bajerlein et al 2006). The present paper adds to the available data by documenting the mites found in nests of the black stork Ciconia nigra (L., 1758) in Poland.…”