Review of sexual dimorphism in brachypyline oribatid mites

International audienceExpressions of strong sexual dimorphism have been found in 77 species of Brachypylina, representing 36 genera, in the superfamilies Gustavioidea, Ameroidea, Oppioidea, Limnozetoidea, Ameronothroidea, Licneremaeoidea, Oripodoidea, Oribatelloidea, Ceratozetoidea and Galumnoidea. There are many examples of convergences, e.g., modifications of tarsus I setae in Cosmogneta (Autognetidae), Hydrozetes (Hydrozetidae) and Erogalumna (Galumnidae), and of possible behavioural constraints, e.g., the paraxial position of modified setae in sexually dimorphic species in these genera. Similarly, there is strong convergence in position and modification of presumed secretory porose organs in species of Autogneta (Autognetidae), Mochloribatula (Mochlozetidae), Symbioribates (Symbioribatidae), Oribatella (Oribatellidae), Zachvatkinibates, Nuhivabates (Punctoribatidae), Xiphobates (Chamobatidae) and Psammogalumna (Galumnidae). The number of superfamilies with sexually dimorphic species and the range of expression of sexual dimorphism suggest multiple independent origins in Brachypylina, as congeneric species in 20 of these 36 genera do not show such modifications. Despite 1% of brachypyline species being strongly sexually dimorphic, the evidence for courtship behaviour is limited to the Galumnidae and an undescribed species of Mochloribatula (Mochlozetidae). Evolution of strongly sexually dimorphic species in Oribatida seems to be in response to intermittent dryness, or aquatic habitats, or spatially discrete microhabitats. The littoral habitat is represented by 11 species showing strong sexual dimorphism, coastal vegetation by 6, the semiaquatic by 5, dry soil by 4 species and crustose lichens by 3 species. Arguably, these 28 species and some of the 19 species reported from arboreal habitats (including lichens and moss) live in microhabitats that can be intermittently dry, with wet-dry periods of varying lengths and intensity. Seven sexually dimorphic species of Hydrozetes are found in aquatic habitats; males of these all show modifications of one or more paraxial seta on tarsus I which may be used to orient the female. The 5 sexually dimorphic species of Autogneta, and Unguizetes mauritius (Jacot) are associated with decaying wood, bark and fungal sporophores, suggesting evolution of sexual dimorphism in this spatially discrete habitat. Undoubtedly, there are many other undiscovered cases of sexual dimorphism in Brachypylina, as microhabitats where they predominantly occur are rarely studied

Phylogenetic relationships of Paralamellobates: immature characters of P. misella (Berlese) place the genus in Punctoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida)

International audienceSpecies in the oribatid mite genus Paralamellobates are primarily tropical and subtropical, and are found in both arboreal and soil habitats. Herein, we describe all stages of P. misella (Berlese) collected from banana from the Philippines. We provide a revised and expanded diagnosis for Paralamellobates. Paralamellobates striatus Behan-Pelletier, described from Costa Rica, is considered a junior synonym of P. misella new. syn. We assess relationships of Paralamellobates using characters of adults and its apheredermous immatures. Based on morphology, the closest relatives are hypothesized to be among the Punctoribatidae (Ceratozetoidea) rather than among the Achipteriidae (Achipterioidea), and the Oribatellidae (Oribatelloidea) as suggested in previous classifications. However, molecular studies did not support our morphological analysis

Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in soil

We review the current knowledge on biodiversity in soils, its role in ecosystem processes, its importance for human purposes, and its resilience against stress and disturbance. The number of existing species is vastly higher than the number described, even in the macroscopically visible taxa, and biogeographical syntheses are largely lacking. A major effort in taxonomy and the training of a new generation of systematists is imperative. This effort has to be focussed on the groups of soil organisms that, to the best of our knowledge, play key roles in ecosystem functioning. To identify such groups, spheres of influence (SOI) of soil biota - such as the root biota, the shredders of organic matter and the soil bioturbators - are recognized that presumably control ecosystem processes, for example, through interactions with plants. Within those SOI, functional groups of soil organisms are recognized. Research questions of the highest urgency are the assignment of species to functional groups and determining the redundancy of species within functional groups. These priorities follow from the need to address the extent of any loss of functioning in soils, associated with intensive agriculture, forest disturbance, pollution of the environment, and global environmental change. The soil biota considered at present to be most at risk are species-poor functional groups among macrofaunal shredders of organic matter, bioturbators of soil, specialized bacteria like nitrifiers and nitrogen fixers, and fungiforming mycorrhizas. An experimental approach in addressing these research priorities is needed, using long-term and large-scale field experiments and modern methods of geostatistics and geographic information systems. (Résumé d'auteur