Wind dispersal of oribatid mites as a mode of migration

Lehmitz, Ricarda; Russell, David J.; Hohberg, Karin; Christian, Axel; Xylander, Willi E. R.

doi:10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.01.002

Cited by 78 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Yet, springtails were reported to be wind-dispersed more often than oribatid mites (Freeman 1952;Glick 1939;Gressitt et al 1961;Johnson 1957), which could explain their high species numbers at higher elevations and their more even distribution across elevation and ecological gradients. Although wind dispersal can also be relevant for oribatid mites (Lehmitz et al 2011), we trapped them only sporadically at the wind-exposed surface. In contrast, seventeen species of springtails were captured in the pitfall traps, nine of which also occurred in the soil (Supplemental Table S1c).…”

Section: Microarthropodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Side by side? Vascular plant, invertebrate, and microorganism distribution patterns along an alpine to nival elevation gradient

Winkler

Illmer

Querner

et al. 2018

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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High mountain areas above the alpine zone are, despite the low-temperature conditions, inhabited by evolutionary and functionally differing organism groups. We compared the abundance and species richness of vascular plants, oribatid mites, springtails, spiders, and beetles, as well as bacterial and methanogenic archaeal prokaryotes (only abundance), at 100 m vertical intervals from 2,700-3,400 m in the Central Alps. We hypothesized that the less mobile microarthropods and microorganisms are more determined by and respond in similar ways to soil properties as do vascular plants. In contrast, we expected the more mobile surface-dwelling groups to forage also in places devoid of vegetation and thus to show patterns that deviate from that of vascular plants.Surprisingly, the observed patterns were diametrically opposed to our expectations: soil-living oribatid mites and springtails showed high individual numbers at high elevations, even where vascular plants barely occurred. Springtails also showed a rather constant species richness throughout the entire gradient. In contrast, patterns of surface-dwelling organisms and of archaeal prokaryotes did not differ significantly from vascular plants, because of either comparable climate sensitivity or their dependency on vegetated habitats.This study may serve as a baseline to estimate the risks of biodiversity losses in response to climate change across different biotic ecosystem components and to explore the potential and limitations of vascular plants as proxy for other organism groups that are far more challenging to monitor. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Section: Microarthropodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Side by side? Vascular plant, invertebrate, and microorganism distribution patterns along an alpine to nival elevation gradient

Winkler

Illmer

Querner

et al. 2018

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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“…Small body size, dorso-ventral flattening of the body, long hairs or setae, and in some cases the production of wax filaments [31][32][33], all serve to increase drag forces on the arthropod and to reduce the terminal velocity at which it falls. Many of the migrants carried away in updrafts will move distances of only a few metres, but some will travel much longer distances, e.g., [34]. Once again, we note that the take-off or launch phase involves specialized behaviours in response to specific environmental stimuli and is largely under the control of the individual (see below), so that even these diminutive arthropods usually enter the air-stream as part of an active migration syndrome, rather than being carried away accidentally.…”

Section: Windborne Migration Without the Use Of Silkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-volant modes of migration in terrestrial arthropods

Reynolds

Chapman

2014

Animal Migration

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rather overlooked means of migration occur in insects, and in non-insect terrestrial arthropods. These include: aerial transport without powered flight (with or without the use of silk), pedestrian and waterborne migration, wind-propelled migration on the surface of water, and phoresy. ('Parasitic dispersal,' the movement of true parasites in or between their hosts, is outside the scope of this paper.) There is a large body of literature on some of these topics (e.g. phoresy in mites), so the current paper will be illustrative rather than comprehensive.The movements by which animals are able to change their physical location can be categorized behaviourally into 'station-keeping' movements (e.g. foraging), 'ranging,' and migration [2]. The present review is concerned with migratory movements, and we adopt the widely-accepted behavioural definition of this process formulated by J.S. Kennedy [6]:"Migratory behaviour is persistent and straightened-out movement effected by the animal's own locomotory exertions or by its active embarkation on a vehicle. It depends upon some temporary inhibition of station-keeping responses but promotes their eventual disinhibition and recurrence." Abstract: Animal migration is often defined in terms appropriate only to the 'to-and-fro' movements of large, charismatic (and often vertebrate) species. However, like other important biological processes, the definition should apply over as broad a taxonomic range as possible in order to be intellectually satisfying. Here we illustrate the process of migration in insects and other terrestrial arthropods (e.g. arachnids, myriapods, and non-insect hexapods) but provide a different perspective by excluding the 'typical' mode of migration in insects, i.e. flapping flight. Instead, we review non-volant migratory movements, including: aerial migration by wingless species, pedestrian and waterborne migration, and phoresy. This reveals some fascinating and sometimes bizarre morphological and behavioural adaptations to facilitate movement. We also outline some innovative modelling approaches exploring the interactions between atmospheric transport processes and biological factors affecting the 'dispersal kernels' of wingless arthropods.

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“…In addition, different groups of colonizers also differ in dispersal capacity. Oribatid mites are flightless and depend on passive dispersal (e.g., by wind; Lehmitz, Russell, Hohberg, Christian, & Xylander, , ) leading to low capacity to disperse to new hosts. Overall, low dispersal capacity combined with some moderate host specialization in oribatid mites might lead to increased immigration of distinct species across short spatial distances, from phylogenetically distant neighbours, through mass effect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A forest canopy as a living archipelago: Why phylogenetic isolation may increase and age decrease diversity

Hidasi‐Neto

Bailey

Vasseur

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim An individual tree resembles a living island, a small spatially distinct unit upon which colonizers maintain populations. However, several differences exist compared to oceanic islands: a tree is relatively young, is composed of numerous differently aged branches, may be phylogenetically isolated from neighbours, and some of its colonizers are specific to particular tree lineages. We suggest that these specificities strongly affect both alpha‐ and beta‐diversity within trees, including positive effects of isolation on the diversity of generalists, and strengthening of the effect of isolation with tree age. Location Rennes, Bretagne, Western France Taxon Little‐dispersive, generalist oribatid mites (Acari) and highly dispersive, specialist gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on oak (Quercus sp.) trees. Methods We tested the effects of tree and branch age, tree and branch habitat diversity, and tree phylogenetic isolation on per‐branch and per‐tree alpha‐diversity, and on within‐tree beta‐diversity of both taxonomic groups. Results For gall wasps, no variable explained diversity patterns at any level. In contrast, for oribatid mites, we found that high phylogenetic isolation of trees and high branch age increased alpha‐diversity per tree and per branch (in young trees) as well as turnover among branches. High tree age decreased alpha‐diversity per branch (in phylogenetically isolated trees) and increased turnover among branches. Increasing habitat diversity increased alpha‐diversity per tree, but decreased alpha‐diversity per branch (in young trees). Main conclusions For mites, contrary to common expectation, we suggest that: (a) phylogenetically distant neighbours are a source of immigration of distinct species and (b) with the increase of tree age, species‐sorting results in a few species colonizing and dominating their preferred patches. In gall wasps, strict specialization on oaks, and efficient dispersal may render oak age or isolation unimportant. The positive relationship between isolation and within‐tree turnover is a new contribution to biogeography in general.

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Wind dispersal of oribatid mites as a mode of migration

Cited by 78 publications

References 23 publications

Side by side? Vascular plant, invertebrate, and microorganism distribution patterns along an alpine to nival elevation gradient

Side by side? Vascular plant, invertebrate, and microorganism distribution patterns along an alpine to nival elevation gradient

Non-volant modes of migration in terrestrial arthropods

A forest canopy as a living archipelago: Why phylogenetic isolation may increase and age decrease diversity

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