The effect of plant host, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of soil on the species distribution of mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in Darab region
Full-length research papers → Non-insect arthropods
Authors
1. Department of Plant Protection, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
* Corresponding author: H. Ostovan, E-mail: hadiostovan@iau.ir
Keywords
multivariate analysis, biodiversity, Iran, mesostigmatid mites, Fars province.
Abstract
Mites are among the most representative groups of soil arthropods due to their high diversity in ecological niches and behavioral patterns. They are widely recognized as indicators of soil ecosystem health, with species diversity serving as a key indicator of ecosystem change. This study was conducted between 2021 and 2022, with samples collected from the northern and southern orchards of the Darab region in Fars province, Iran. A total of 37 mite species from 15 families were collected across 18 host plants. Multivariate analyses were performed using Minitab 16 software. Cluster analysis based on Ward's method was applied to group mite species by area, season, year, and host plant. This analysis classified the species into two main groups. Similarly, family-level clustering (based on host plant, region, season, and year) resulted in three distinct groups. Among the collected mites, the family Laelapidae exhibited the highest frequency. The greatest abundance of mites associated with fruit trees was observed on medlar, peach, apricot, date palm, orange, plum, and apple trees, with the orange tree hosting the most diverse population, represented by 688 specimens. Geolaelaps minor (Costa, 1968), Rhodacarus denticulatus (Berlese, 1921), and Geolaelaps sclerotarsus (Costa, 1968) were found in areas that had the most favorable quantitative soil characteristics and the least qualitative soil characteristics. Proctolaelaps fiseri (Samsinak, 1960) was found in the area with the best soil quality.
Article history
Received: 17 November 2024 / Accepted: 19 June 2025 / Available online-first: 15 January 2026 / Published online: 15 June 2026 / Printed: June 2026
Authors` ORCID IDs
S. Memarzadeh https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2050-4823
H. Ostovan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5564-8029
S. Hesami https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8537-409X
M. Gheibi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1255-9189
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