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Community structure of mites (Arachnida: Acari) in six rubber tree clones

2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 39; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/01647954.2013.856470

1945-3892

Rodrigo Damasco Daud, Reinaldo J. F. Feres,

Forest Insect Ecology and Management

AbstractHost plant cultivar may determine the occurrence and abundance of both herbivorous arthropods and of other species that interact with them. We analysed the acarofauna in six rubber tree clones to identify the effect of plant cultivar on community organization of these arthropods. We analysed 10 plants of clones GT 1, PB 217, PB 235, PB 260, PR 255, and RRIM 600 every 14 days, on average, for one year. We recorded 352,426 mites from 43 species and 16 families. Phytophagous mites were the most abundant functional group, followed by mycophagous and predaceous mites. However, mite community structure varied between clones. Mite abundance peaked in clone PB 235, while it had the lowest level in PB 260. The highest estimated richness was found in clones GT 1 and PB 235. Clones PB 235, PR 255, and RRIM 600 were the most similar in mite species composition. Plant cultivars affected the abundance of phytophagous species, which in turn influenced the occurrence of competing species (i.e., less abundant phytophagous species) and predatory mites. Our results indicate that rubber tree cultivar strongly influences mite community organization.Keywords: acarofaunabottom-up effectplant cultivarHevea brasiliensisherbivory resistancespecies richness AcknowledgementsWe express our thanks to Aníbal R. Oliveira (UESC, Ilhéus) and Antonio C. Lofego (UNESP, São José do Rio Preto) for helping us with species identification of Oripodidae and Tarsonemidae, respectively. Cassio H.J. Scomparin and Fernando S. Fonseca (Plantações E. Michelin Ltda.) provided information about the cultures studied, and Júlio C. de Andrade and Maria de L. S. Siqueira helped in fieldwork. This work was supported by Plantações E. Michelin Ltda., Itiquira, Mato Grosso, Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e Extensão de São José do Rio Preto (FAPERP), and Associação Paulista dos Produtores e Beneficiadores de Borracha (APABOR). RDD was supported by a doctorate scholarship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and RJFF by research grant from "Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico" (CNPq) (Proc. n° 303049/2010-3).