Impact of pesticides on oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) biodiversity

The study is a part of project “Impact of pesticides on soil ecosystem functioning - effect on soil invertebrate fauna”. We have examined the impact of pesticides on soil oribatid mites biodiversity in this study. 67 species of oribatid mites were found on study area. Three new species for Georgian fauna (Zygoribatula skrjabii, Graptoppia paraanalis, Mongaillardia grandjeani) were found during the project. Among them Mongaillardia grandjeani is new for Caucasian fauna. Abundance and species richness of oribatid mites were approximately equal for pesticide-applied and not applied experimental area, but noticeably higher on a control area (not seeded field). Pesticide-applied and not applied experimental sites of fauna were same, but control site fauna was different from them. On a mechanically cultivated sites (pesticide-applied and not applied areas) were accumulated species of oribatid mites, which relatively well withstands stressful conditions.

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