Mites on Caatinga remnants vegetation in Northeast Brazil, with description of a new species of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Abstract

The Caatinga biome is unique to Brazil, covering approximately 13% of the country's territory with an estimated area of around 800,000 km2, encompassing 70% of the Northeast Region of Brazil. Studies on the diversity of mite species in natural areas are still in the early stages yet are essential because understanding the diversity of these organisms in unexplored environments enables the development of strategies for managing harmful species. Therefore, this study aims to survey Caatinga areas to contribute to the knowledge of the mite diversity occurring in this biome. The study was conducted in three remaining areas of Caatinga, at the following locations: i) Aiuaba Ecological Station, Ceará state; ii) Fazenda das Almas Private Natural Heritage Reserve, Paraíba state; iii) Seridó Ecological Station, Rio Grande do Norte state. More than 5,200 mite specimens were collected, representing 32 species from 10 families. The predatory mite family Phytoseiidae was the most diverse, with 14 species recorded. Among the phytophagous mites, three families were particularly represented: Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Tetranychidae. However, no phytophagous species were found in high abundance. Despite the challenging climatic conditions, the Caatinga biome harbors a considerable diversity of plant-dwelling mites. In this study, a new species of Phytoseiidae, Amblyseius suassunai sp. nov., is described and illustrated.