Oribatid mites: prospects for their use in ecotoxicology

Abstract

Oribatid mites are a group of arthropods that have had remarkable evolutionary success with regard to species richness, variety of habitats colonized, life-cycle variation and reproductive patterns. The aim of this paper is to review some of the important features of Oribatida in relation to the possible use of these animals in ecotoxicological experiments. Their often sedentary way of living, combined with a narrow dependence on microhabitats qualify oribatids as potential indicator organisms for air and soil quality. Some species have been shown to be extremely sensitive to air pollutants such as SO 2 and NO 2. A low metabolic rate may be the driving force for slow development, low fertility, iteroparity and long adult life. Given these life-cycle characteristics, oribatids may be particularly vulnerable to intoxication by persistent contaminants. Work done on heavy metals suggests that the capacity for accumulation differs greatly between species. The camisiid Platynothrus peltifer accumulates high amounts of trace metals, specifically Mn. The toxicity of Cd, Cu and Pb has been studied in P. peltifer, demonstrating the necessity to consider egg production as a sensitive criterion. It is concluded that oribatid mites hold a great potential for use in ecotoxicology, due to the structural and functional complexity of their communities, and several peculiarities not found in other arthropods. The possibilities offered by this diverse group have not yet been fully employed by ecotoxicologists.

Effects of Olive Mill Wastewater on Soil Microarthropods and Soil Chemistry in Two Different Cultivation Scenarios in Israel and Palestinian Territories

“…It is known that various soil amendments affect adult Oribatida abundances [66], but until now few studies have analyzed the differences of effects of soil amendments or other deteriorations on juvenile and adult stages. Juvenile stages are more sensitive to changes in soil chemistry and are more suitable to monitor effects of environmental changes [67]. Thus, more attention should be drawn to these stages in future studies.…”

Application of Oribatid Mites as Indicators (Review)

“…These organisms possess such kind of extraordinary characteristics by which (considered even separately or as a whole) they are able to indicate different changes in their environment. These characteristics have been summarized in several reviews, most thoroughly in the works of Lebrun and van Straalen (1995), Behan-Pelletier (1999) and Gulvik (2007).…”

“…As a consequence, they consume variuos kinds of food, and as such, they participate in numerous ways in the structure of the food web (Lebrun and van Straalen, 1995). Thus they are in strong interaction with their microenvironment (e. g. Castorage, heavy metal accumulation (Norton and Behan-Pelletier, 1991, Behan-Pelletier on the soil and in the foliage of trees is limited primarily not by physical barriers but e. g. water content.…”

Do shifts in soil Oribatida (Acari, Oribatida) give information on differences in fruit yield of Chinese star anise?

“…Although the linkages between Oribatida community structure and soil pH (e.g., Van Straalen et al, 1988;Lebrun and van Straalen, 1995), forest stand age (Zaitev et al, 2002), tree species (Migge et al, 1998;Sylvain and Buddle, 2010), forest type and regional factors (Erdmann et al, 2012), as well as forest type, log type, and regional factors (Bluhm et al, 2015) have been comprehensively studied, the deterministic factors are still poorly understood. In the current study, no causal link between Oribatida assemblage and fruit yield were found, a result that has not previously been described.…”