Extracting soil microarthropods with olive oil: A novel mechanical extraction method for mesofauna from sandy soils

Venema, Harmen; Gestel, Cornelis A.M. van; Verhoef, H.A.

doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2009.07.001

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Samples were weighed and stored in a freezer until microarthropod extraction. We extracted soil microarthropods using an oil-based flotation method which relies on the affinity of the arthropod cuticle for olive oil (Kuenen et al 2009). Each soil sample was added to an Erlenmeyer flask filled up to 500 ml with 35% ethanol and 20 ml of olive oil.…”

Section: Experimental Design and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercropping trees’ effect on soil oribatid diversity in agro-ecosystems

2014

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The benefits of tree-based intercropping (TBI) compared to conventional agro-ecosystems in North America could include climate change mitigation and adaptation, although enhancing resilience to climate change through increasing soil diversity remains poorly explored. Diversity of soil microarthropods supports a series of ecological services that may be altered by soil desiccation due to climate change. Here we study the effect of red oak and hybrid poplar TBI on soil oribatid mite species assemblages associated to forage crops (mix of Timothy-grass and red clover). Abundance and species density of oribatids were affected by treatment, depth and the interaction of both variables. Abundance of oribatid mites was significantly lower in the oak TBI, showing a homogeneous vertical distribution in opposition to a decreasing with depth distribution under poplar TBI and conventional crops. Species density was significantly higher in the conventional crop, showing again significant differences in depth that were not present in both TBI treatments. Distance to tree did not affect mite abundance nor species density. TBI increased oribatid richness (obtained by sample-based rarefaction and extrapolation) only in the presence of oaks. The distribution of oribatids was strongly associated to tree fine root biomass and stress the importance of underground organic resources for the oribatid fauna and their ecological functions. If increasing drought associated with climate change desiccates superficial levels of agroecosystem soils, deeper sources of organic resources, such as tree roots, should become crucial in the maintenance of diverse microarthropod communities.

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Section: Experimental Design and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Intercropping trees’ effect on soil oribatid diversity in agro-ecosystems

2014

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“…These studies require methodologies that allow efficient collection, extraction, and accurate identification. During extraction, densities may be under estimated, as has been observed in the case of immature or less mobile stages (Kuenen et al 2009;Lakly & Crossley 2000;Søvik & Leinaas 2002). Variations in the efficiency of funnel extraction methods have been found to be related to changes in soil moisture content and temperature (Macfadyen 1961).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

In memory of Gary Bauchan: Integrated taxonomy of soil mites in farming systems

Rueda-Ramírez

Carta²,

Mowery

et al. 2022

saa

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Current and future legislation requiring the reduction of pesticides use, coupled with global initiatives for the promotion of soil health and conservation of soil biodiversity are creating opportunities for studies aimed at highlighting ecosystem services provided by functioning soil food webs in agricultural systems, including soil predatory mites. However, the key personnel for performing such studies are expert taxonomists, who are already spread very thin. To meet this demand, we propose an integrative approach where scientists (without expertise in taxonomy) play a significant role in supporting expert taxonomists. Soil samples were collected at the USDA ARS Farming Systems Project (FSP) at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, either incubated or not, followed by extraction of mites and nematodes. Improved modified Berlese funnels and an extraction protocol were utilized to improve sequencing success. Incubation dramatically enhanced the number of extracted individuals per sample whilst the daily freezing of extracted mites substantially improved the sequencing success rate compared to previous studies. Taken together, this led to the addition of records for eight Mesostigmata and ten Oribatida BINs to BOLD (Barcode of Life Datasystem). Fifteen species of Mesostigmata species were found, with three dominant species, Cycetogamasus diviortus (Athias-Henriot, 1967) (Parasitidae), Lasioseius youcefi Athias-Henriot 1959 (Blattisociidae) and a new species of Gamasellodes (Ascidae). LTSEM imaging followed by molecular identification contributed further details to the published descriptions of C. diviortus and L. youcefi. In line with our general aim, collecting, extracting, identification to morpho-species, sample preparation for DNA barcoding and uploading relevant information to BOLD was performed by trained personnel, but without taxonomic expertise. Whereas our skilled taxonomists focused on the morphological identifications using light microscopy, expanding on existing descriptions using LTSEM images and in a subsequent manuscript the description of a new species. We believe this division of tasks and labor will set the stage for further collaborative integrated studies between ecologists, biocontrol specialists and expert taxonomists for the identification, evaluation, and description of known and novel soil acarine biological control agents (BCAs).

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Extracting soil microarthropods with olive oil: A novel mechanical extraction method for mesofauna from sandy soils

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Intercropping trees’ effect on soil oribatid diversity in agro-ecosystems

Intercropping trees’ effect on soil oribatid diversity in agro-ecosystems

In memory of Gary Bauchan: Integrated taxonomy of soil mites in farming systems

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