Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes

Mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) of scree slopes constitutes a transition habitat between the soil and the network of voids in the vadose zone of a bedrock massif. In the present study, the vertical distribution of oribatid communities along a depth of 95 cm was studied at five forested MSS sites i...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Patrícia Jakšová, Peter Ľuptáčik, Dana Miklisová
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2019-07-01
Series:Subterranean Biology
Online Access:https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/36241/download/pdf/
_version_ 1797720569998737408
author Patrícia Jakšová
Peter Ľuptáčik
Dana Miklisová
author_facet Patrícia Jakšová
Peter Ľuptáčik
Dana Miklisová
author_sort Patrícia Jakšová
collection DOAJ
description Mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) of scree slopes constitutes a transition habitat between the soil and the network of voids in the vadose zone of a bedrock massif. In the present study, the vertical distribution of oribatid communities along a depth of 95 cm was studied at five forested MSS sites in the Western Carpathians, Slovakia. The sites differed in type of bedrock, topography and gradient of the microclimate and nutrients content. In all, 909 specimens were captured in subterranean traps exposed for one year. Most Oribatida represented edaphic forms, and their presence in the depth profile of the screes was accidental. Pantelozetes cavatica (Kunst, 1962) was the only species closely linked to deep subterranean environments found in the deeper part of the single limestone site studied. Species richness and the activity of oribatids along the scree profile at the sites clearly reflected the content of organic carbon in the soil substratum. The communities had very low numbers of individuals and low species richness at three sites with soil pH < 7 and organic carbon content in the upper soil layer ≤ 10%. However, they differed markedly in internal temperature dynamics. The other two sites, with a slightly alkaline soil pH and a higher carbon content, showed distinctly higher activity and a relatively uniform pattern of oribatid distribution across the depth profile. The soil pH and organic carbon content in the topsoil layer were substantial factors that determined the Oribatida diversity and vertical distribution in the forested screes.
first_indexed 2024-03-12T09:22:24Z
format Article
id doaj.art-9fe716ed4df6443fae52d0f18c763ec5
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1768-1448
1314-2615
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-12T09:22:24Z
publishDate 2019-07-01
publisher Pensoft Publishers
record_format Article
series Subterranean Biology
spelling doaj.art-9fe716ed4df6443fae52d0f18c763ec52023-09-02T14:27:24ZengPensoft PublishersSubterranean Biology1768-14481314-26152019-07-0131294810.3897/subtbiol.31.3624136241Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopesPatrícia Jakšová0Peter Ľuptáčik1Dana Miklisová2P.J. Šafárik UniversityP.J. Šafárik UniversityInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of SciencesMesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) of scree slopes constitutes a transition habitat between the soil and the network of voids in the vadose zone of a bedrock massif. In the present study, the vertical distribution of oribatid communities along a depth of 95 cm was studied at five forested MSS sites in the Western Carpathians, Slovakia. The sites differed in type of bedrock, topography and gradient of the microclimate and nutrients content. In all, 909 specimens were captured in subterranean traps exposed for one year. Most Oribatida represented edaphic forms, and their presence in the depth profile of the screes was accidental. Pantelozetes cavatica (Kunst, 1962) was the only species closely linked to deep subterranean environments found in the deeper part of the single limestone site studied. Species richness and the activity of oribatids along the scree profile at the sites clearly reflected the content of organic carbon in the soil substratum. The communities had very low numbers of individuals and low species richness at three sites with soil pH < 7 and organic carbon content in the upper soil layer ≤ 10%. However, they differed markedly in internal temperature dynamics. The other two sites, with a slightly alkaline soil pH and a higher carbon content, showed distinctly higher activity and a relatively uniform pattern of oribatid distribution across the depth profile. The soil pH and organic carbon content in the topsoil layer were substantial factors that determined the Oribatida diversity and vertical distribution in the forested screes.https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/36241/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Patrícia Jakšová
Peter Ľuptáčik
Dana Miklisová
Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
Subterranean Biology
title Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
title_full Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
title_fullStr Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
title_full_unstemmed Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
title_short Distribution of Oribatida (Acari) along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
title_sort distribution of oribatida acari along a depth gradient in forested scree slopes
url https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/36241/download/pdf/
work_keys_str_mv AT patriciajaksova distributionoforibatidaacarialongadepthgradientinforestedscreeslopes
AT peterluptacik distributionoforibatidaacarialongadepthgradientinforestedscreeslopes
AT danamiklisova distributionoforibatidaacarialongadepthgradientinforestedscreeslopes