Population structure and group diversity of soil mites (Acari) in pistachio orchards of Kerman Province, Iran

Due to the lack of basic studies, we analyzed the mite fauna of pistachio orchard soils in Kerman province, the largest pistachio-growing area in Iran. A total of ۱۸۰ soil samples were collected from the shaded areas beneath pistachio trees across different regions, including Sirjan, Rafsanjan, Zarand, Baghin, and Mahan. The soil samples were collected from three depths (۰–۱۵, ۱۵–۳۰, and ۳۰–۴۵ cm) during four seasons, with three replicates each, and then transported to the laboratory. The mites were extracted using a Berlese-Tullgren funnel and cleared using lactic acid, mounted, and identified at family, genus, and species levels. The ten mite families Ascidae, Laelapidae, Phytoseiidae, Rhodacaridae, Neopygmephoridae, Acaridae, Phthiracaridae, Oppiidae, Euphthiracaridae, and Epilohmaniidae were collected. The most frequently found species were Arctoseius cetratus (Ascidae), Gaeolaelaps nolli and G. aculeifer (Laelapidae), Typhloderomus bakeri (Phytoseiidae), Multidentrodacarus denticulatus (Rhodacaridae), Pseudopygmephorus tarsalis and Kerdabania quadrata (Neopygmephorididae), Rhizoglyphus robini, Tyrophagus perniciosus, Tyrophagus javensis (Acaridae), and Metagynella paradoxa (Metagynuridae). The highest number of mites in all studied areas was found at the first depth (۰ to ۱۵ cm), and mites were most abundant in the summer and spring when soil moisture and temperature were appropriate. This is the first study of the mite fauna of soils in pistachio orchards in the world. It provides a more profound understanding of the habitat requirements of soil mites, thereby improving their use as effective bioindicators of soil quality.

کلیدواژه ها:

depth ، dominant species ، Mite fauna ، seasonal variation ، soil property