Ovoviviparity in Macrocheles glaber (Müller) (Acari: Macrochelidae), with notes on parental care and egg cannibalism

Abstract

In Macrocheles glaber (Müller), oviposition can involve either oviparity or egg production followed by immediate hatching of the larva, a process that may be called ovoviviparity. We observed three phases in the process of ovoviviparity: preoviposition behaviour, oviposition followed by holding the egg under the gnathosoma and hatching of the larva assisted by the female. Two factors appear to favour the occurrence of ovoviviparity in this species: poor feeding and poor substrate quality. We witnessed egg cannibalism four times in two of the four females that we observed. We discuss the consequences of variable oviposition strategy, parental care and egg cannibalism in M. glaber in the context of maximization of reproductive success.

Keywords:

• Acari
• reproductive behaviour
• oviposition
• Mesostigmata
• intraspecific oophagy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the people who helped us with access to literature, especially Bruno Cicolani (L’Aqulia, Italy), Chuleui Jung (Andong, Korea), Jerry Krantz (Corvallis, USA) and Dave Walter (Edmonton, Canada).