Bionomics of the myrmecophilous oribatid mite Protoribates myrmecophilus (Acari: Oribatida) in the Oriental tropics

Abstract

Behavioural interactions between the myrmecophilous oribatid mite Protoribates myrmecophilus and the host ant Myrmecina spp. are described and compared to those of Aribates javensis which shows a very specialized myrmecophily. The behaviour of P. myrmecophilous is similar to free-living oribatids: they can walk by themselves and can survive without ant attendance. In the ant nests, the mites are sometimes cared for by ants and they are brought by ants into a new nest site. Protoribates myrmecophilus is eaten by non-host species of Myrmecina. Protoribates myrmecophilus is a less specialized myrmecophilous oribatid species.

Keywords:

• Ants
• oribatid mite
• ant guest
• Myrmecina
• myrmecophily