Biodiversity of the Actinedida in pasture and forest plants

The soil fauna plays an important role in primary succession. On the other hand, plants are important determinant of the structure and function of the soil food web. In terms of flora, Iran is a rich country. Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Hamedan Provinces have variety of climatic and geographical conditions that have led to biodiversity. Mites exist in all kinds of soils with high species, abundance and diversity. Therefore, the current study on fauna of mites associated with some pasture and forest plants of the above mentioned regions were performed during 2012-2013. In this survey, sampling from 21 stations in three seasons, spring, summer and autumn was done and 14 different families of Acari subclass were collected and identified. A total number of 666 Prostigmata mites in associated with the Astragalus, Box thorn, Alfalfa, How thorn, Dog rose and Oak tree were collected. A few species were phytophagous, but there is a great diversity of predatory mites on the pasture and forest plants. Most population was related to Bdellidae family. Caligonellidae and Tetranychidae were the next populated families and finally Erythraeidae had the least population. In general, the highest number of mites was collected from astragalus and the minimum amount from alfalfa. Based on conducted analysis, there is a significant difference between mite numbers in Kurdistan and Kermanshah as well as Kurdistan and Hamadan. Bdellidae, with 32.4%, has the highest rate of relative abundance. Data were analyzed with SPSS software finally.

Keywords:

Ecosystem , fauna , Kurdistan , Hamedan , Kermanshah , Iran