Altitudinal variations in the structure and composition of oribatid mite community in the Arjan Plain Biosphere Reserve, Fars Province, Iran

Data was collected from ۴۵ monthly samples at three vegetation layers spanning from ۱۹۵۰ to ۲۵۰۰ meters above sea level in the Arjan Plain Biosphere Reserve, Fars Province, Iran. A total of ۱۲,۶۴۸ individuals were collected, leading to the identification of ۸۹ species of oribatid mites from ۳۹ families and ۵۳ genera The data for the Shannon diversity index was analyzed using the permutation one-way analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) to understand the distribution of mites across the elevation gradients. Significant variations were observed in the distribution of oribatid mites at different elevational strata. Layer ۲ exhibited the highest species richness and total abundance of oribatid mites, with ۶۷ species and ۶۱۶۲ individuals, followed by layer ۳ with ۶۲ species and ۴۳۵۹ individuals, and layer ۱ harbouring ۵۹ species and ۲۱۴۰ individuals. Dominant species included Jacotella frondeus (Kulijev) and Oribatula pallida Banks in layer ۱, Pilogalumna tenuiclava (Berlese), Aleurodamaeus sp.۳, and J. frondeus in Layer ۲, and Aleurodamaeus sp.۳ and J. frondeus in layer ۳. The Shannon index also revealed that species diversity of oribatid mites significantly increased with elevation increase. Furthermore, the analysis indicated a notable seasonal effect on oribatid mite biodiversity, demonstrating the lowest species richness and abundance observed in July and September.

کلیدواژه ها:

Altitudinal gradient ، Beetle mites ، species diversity ، soil ecology