Community structure of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in rangelands of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Abstract

In order to study the abundance, species diversity and evenness of oribatid mites in rangelands of West Azerbaijan Province (Northwestern Iran), soil samples were taken in eight different sites of rangelands, namely Ghooshchi (1600–1750 and 1750–2000 m a.s.l.), Ghasemloo (1300–1450, 1450–1600 and 1600–1750 m a.s.l.), Roze-Chai (1450–1600 m a.s.l.), Marmisho (1750–2000 m a.s.l.) and Ordooshahi (1300–1450 m a.s.l.) at three different times (mid-May, mid-August and mid-October) of the year 2012. In this study, 71 species belonging to 49 genera, 32 families and 20 superfamilies were collected and identified. Simpson and Shannon–Weiner diversity indices and Simpson evenness index were calculated for all the samples with the Ecological Methodology 6.0 software. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19 software. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (P < 0.01) in abundance and diversity indices among sites (P < 0.01). Ghasemloo 2 (1450−1600 m a.s.l.) had the highest abundance and Ghasemloo 2, 3 and Marmisho had the highest diversity and Ordooshahi (1300−1450 m a.s.l.) had the lowest abundance and diversity. Also, there were significant differences (P < 0.01) in abundance and diversity at different altitudes. In this regard, the diversity of oribatid mites increased with altitude.

Keywords:

• abundance
• altitude
• diversity
• evenness
• soil mite

Notes

1. There were too few oribatid mites in mid-August, so this sampling time was not considered in statistic analysis.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Research Division of the University of Tabriz, Iran, which is greatly appreciated.