Ecology, genetics and distribution of Punctoribates zachvatkini, an oribatid mite so far overlooked in Germany.

ABSTRACT: Punctoribates is one of few genera in Poronota (Acari: Oribatida) containing species with porose areas and species with saccules, the two types of the octotaxic system. These porose organs are the main difference between two morphologically similar species, P. punctum with porose areas and P. zachvatkini with saccules. As the octotaxic system can vary within species, species separation solely based on this trait might be insufficient. To assess the species status of P. zachvatkini, we investigated additional differences from P. punctum by comparing habitat preferences of the two species regarding nature reserves and agricultural landscapes during a field study in the German Eifel region, and by examining Punctoribates material from four large German natural history museums. We also perform

SUBMITTER: Escher J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9439992 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature