Communities of Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) in Nest Boxes Inhabited by Dormice (Glis glis and Muscardinus avellanarius) and Differences in Percentages of Nidicoles in Nests of Various Hosts

Abstract

Bird and mammal nests and nest boxes constitute microenvironments in which various groups of invertebrates can live, including mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata). The main aim of the current study was to ascertain the characteristics of mite communities from the suborder Uropodina, which inhabit the nests of dormice (Gliridae) built in nest boxes. The second aim of the study was to compare the habitat preferences of Leiodinychus orbicularis (C. L. Koch) and Apionoseius infirmus (Berlese), i.e., two typically nest-dwelling species of Uropodina. The material for the study was collected from nest boxes in six forest complexes in southwestern Poland. The conducted research revealed the presence of five species of Uropodina, with a total number of 559 specimens, in the examined boxes. Leiodinychus orbicularis was found in almost half of all of the examined boxes and was a superdominant species in the communities. The analysis of the habitat preferences of the two nest species of Uropodina showed that A. infirmus preferred old natural nests, in which the communities were formed from a larger number of species, without a significant statistical prevalence of one species. On the other hand, L. orbicularis occurred sporadically in open bird nests, but was very numerous and frequent in nest boxes. The significant dominance of L. orbicularis in nest boxes can probably be explained by the specific conditions prevailing in this type of microhabitat, including the very low humidity and food resources that this mite species prefers compared to other species of Uropodina.

Type of Material, Not Tree Hole Characteristics Shapes Uropodina Mites’ Species Composition in Excavated Tree Holes

“…Because Uroobovella obovata, Pulchellaobovella pyriformis, and Pulchellaobovella pulchella inhabit dead wood [33], their presence inside tree holes excavated by woodpeckers is unsurprising. In turn, Leiodinychus orbicularis and Apionoseius infirmus are typical nidicoles that settle in the nests of various bird species but also in bat boxes and in animal boxes inhabited by Gliridae [40]. Uropolyaspis hamulifera and Oplitis paradoxa are relatively rare species in Poland.…”

Bird nesting boxes as a specific artificial microenvironment increasing biodiversity of mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata): a case study of Bory Tucholskie National Park

“…A nest box (birdhouse) is a specially prepared construction, usually made of wood and intended for nests, mainly for birds (Aitken and Martin 2007 ; Cockle et al 2012 ; Walankiewicz et al 2014 ; Zawadzka 2018 ), but also for bats (Rueegger 2016 ), dormice (Gliridae) (Morris et al 1990 ; Koppmann-Rumpf et al 2003 ), and hymenoptera (MacIvor 2017 ), which do not have enough suitable nesting places in the environment transformed by humans. Due to the shortage of adequate nesting places, often it happens that animals occupy nest boxes originally intended for other species, as is the case of dormice, which sometimes inhabit birdhouses (Błoszyk et al 2023 ). Nest boxes serve not only rare vertebrates, for which they are usually built, but also promote growth in biodiversity of other animal groups, especially invertebrates.…”

The Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Behaviour of Mites

“…Ecological studies [20][21][22] have explored the interactions between mites, their hosts, and the environment, revealing the adaptive strategies and ecological roles of mites in various habitats. While the former research on Uropodina mites in dormouse nest boxes [20] shed light on the niche preferences and community dynamics of mites in mammalian nests, the latter explores similar ecological dynamics in bird nests, illustrating how mites adapt to and exploit these specialized niches.…”

“…Ecological studies [20][21][22] have explored the interactions between mites, their hosts, and the environment, revealing the adaptive strategies and ecological roles of mites in various habitats. While the former research on Uropodina mites in dormouse nest boxes [20] shed light on the niche preferences and community dynamics of mites in mammalian nests, the latter explores similar ecological dynamics in bird nests, illustrating how mites adapt to and exploit these specialized niches. Research on the life-type characteristics of three spider mite pests [21] complements these insights by demonstrating the influence of host plants on mite behaviour and life history strategies, emphasizing the adaptive nature of these pests to different environmental conditions.…”

“…Research on the life-type characteristics of three spider mite pests [21] complements these insights by demonstrating the influence of host plants on mite behaviour and life history strategies, emphasizing the adaptive nature of these pests to different environmental conditions. Collectively, from examining mite communities in nests [20,22] to assessing the impact of host plants on spider mite pests 21], these studies underscore the adaptive flexibility of mites and their intricate interactions with the surrounding world. Such research is essential for understanding the complex behaviours of mites and the ecological niches they inhabit.…”