Diversity and host specialization of Tarsonemini mites (Acari, Tarsonemidae)—Investigations in the agroclimatic zones of West Bengal, Eastern India

A vast number of tropical and subtropical mites belong to the family Tarsonemidae Canestrini & Fanzago, ۱۸۷۷, with the tribe Tarsoenmini under subfamily Tarsoneminae having the most diverse assemblage. In order to better understand the distribution, community structure, and host specificity of these mites, it is important to investigate the Tarsonemini mite fauna of India, particularly in the highly biodiverse state of West Bengal. A total of ۱۱۵۴ mite specimens were obtained from ۶۹ distinct plant species belonging to ۴۴ families and distributed over six agroclimatic zones in West Bengal. The mites were classified into ۸ distinct genera and ۳۸ morphospecies. We developed bipartite trophic networks for Tarsonemini mites for the first time to show how these different communities of these mites are associated to various host plant species in six different agroclimatic zones. Different network descriptors such as Connectance, H۲, Niche Overlap and Robustness were calculated from the mite-plant networks of six agroclimatic zones. Northern Hill Zone had the highest diversity followed by New Alluvial and Teesta-Terai Zone whereas, Red Laterite Zone had the least diversity of mite species. More than ۷۰% Tarsonemini mites were found as generalist plant inhabitants which is consistent with their epiphytotic microbivorous feeding strategy.

Keywords:

Bipartite network , biodiversity , community structure , conservation , distribution , ecosystem , mites