Extending Our Knowledge of the Diversity of Water Mites (Acari-Hydrachnidiae)
Extending Our Knowledge of the Diversity of Water Mites (Acari-Hydrachnidiae)
We conducted an initial survey of water mite diversity in GSMNP in September 2005 by obtaining 56 collections from 11 watersheds representing stream riffles and pools, springs and seepages, and waterfalls. As anticipated, water mites proved to be abundant and their populations taxonomically diverse in these habitats. We identified mites from 49 genera in 25 families and 7 superfamilies, including two genera not previously found in North America and two others known only from Oregon and California. Species identification is underway and we expect to find at least 150 species, about half of them undescribed. Our objectives for 2006 are to continue identifying specimens collected in 2005 in northern and western areas of the Park, and to survey selected habitats in southern and eastern watersheds. We will also conduct an educational workshop to provide a comprehensive introduction and some hands-on experience to those wishing to improve their knowledge of water mites.
The survey of water mite diversity that we initiated in 2005 was extended into 2006. We returned to Cataloochee, Big Creek, Cosby, Greenbriar, West Prong of the Little Pigeon, and Abrams watersheds. We were successful in obtaining additional specimens of an undescribed species in the genus Bogatia that we reported last year to be the first record in North America. Two species of the genus Horreolanus were collected representing the first records of the genus outside of Illinois and Ohio. New collections from less-accessible southern watersheds including Raven Fork, Oconaluftee, Deep Creek, Noland, Forney, Hazel, and Parsons Branch revealed abundant and diverse water mite assemblages that are expected to differ in species composition from those found in northern watersheds. The Water Wonders – Wading for Water Mites and More workshop was held in April, and participants contributed information from the Middle Prong of the Little River to the ATBI database. We added six new genera from 2006 collections bringing the Park total to 56 genera representing 26 families in 7 superfamilies and made significant progress in differentiating between known and undescribed species from the 2005 and 2006 collections.
