Research Article
ISSN 2336-9744 (online) | ISSN 2337-0173 (print)
The journal is available on line at www.ecol-mne.com
A checklist of halacarid and pontarachnid mites (Acari: Halacaridae
and Pontarachnidae) associated with mangroves
TAPAS CHATTERJEE
Department of Biology, Indian School of Learning, I.S.M. Annexe, P.O. – I.S.M., Dhanbad – 826004,
Jharkhand, India. E–mail: [email protected]
Received 14 June 2015 │ Accepted 23 June 2015 │ Published online 25 June 2015.
Abstract
This paper is a compilation of the records for halacarid and pontarachnid mite species associated with mangroves. A
total of 23 halacarid species (Acari: Halacaridae) belonging to the five genera Acarothrix, Agauopsis, Copidognathus,
Isobactrus and Rhombognathus and six pontarachnid species (Acari: Pontarachnidae) belonging to the genus
Litarachna are associated with various microhabitats of mangroves. Mites are found mainly in the algae and sediment
covering pneumatophores and aerial roots.
Key words: Checklist, Mangrove, Halacaridae, Pontarachnidae.
Introduction
Tidal mangrove forests cover a vast area of world’s coastlines and are precious resources for multiple
economic and ecological reasons. As much as 39.3 million acres of mangrove forests are present along the
warm-water coastlines of tropical oceans all over the world. However, mangroves are diminishing worldwide
at a faster rate than other terrestrial forests, making them one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world.
Mangroves are habitats for a diverse aerial, terrestrial and marine fauna (Nagelkerken et al. 2008). Vast
amounts of intertidal small fauna and meiofauna are associated with mangroves, mainly on turf growing on
mangrove aerial roots and pneumatophores (e.g. Farnsworth & Ellison 1996; Gwyther 2000; Procheş et al.
2001; Procheş 2002, 2004; Procheş & Marshall 2002a; Bartsch 2003a, b, c, 2006a, b; Chatterjee et al. 2012a,
b, 2013), litter falls of mangrove leaves (eg. Alongi 1989, 1990; Gee & Somerfield 1997; Somerfield et al.
1998; Torres–Pratts & Schizas 2007), and mud flats in mangrove zones (e.g. Hodda & Nicholas 1985, 1986a,
b, 1987, 1990; Nicholas et al. 1991; Sasekumar 1994; Ólafson et al. 2000; Netto & Gallucci 2003). Mites are
found mainly in the algal or sediment cover on pneumatophores, stems and branches. The major groups of
mites reported from mangroves are halacarids (Halacaridae, Prostigmata) (e.g. Bartsch 1990, 1991, 1997;
Chatterjee et al. 2012a, b, 2013), oribatids (Oribatida, including the cohort Astigmatina) (e.g. Marshall &
Pugh 2000, 2002; Ermilov et al. 2013) and pontarachnids (Pontarachnidae, Hydrachnidia, Prostigmata) (e.g.
Pešić et al. 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013), alongwith some Mesostigmata.
In the present paper, a checklist of halacarid and pontarachnid mites associated with mangroves is
presented.
Ecol. Mont., 2 (4), 2015, 334-341
CHATTERJEE
Methods
This checklist was compiled using published records (up to June 13 th, 2015). The genera and species are
arranged in alphabetical sequence.
Results
Halacarid mites associated with mangroves:
Family Halacaridae Murray, 1877
Acarothrix ampliumeris Bartsch, 2006
Record associated with mangroves: Cladophora mat, Chlorophyta, on muddy and sandy sediments in
mangrove area, Singapore – Bartsch (2006a).
Distribution: Singapore.
Acarothrix grandocularis Chatterjee et al., 2012
Record associated with mangroves: From algal turf growing on Rhizophora sp. pneumatophores at Batu
Marang, Brunei Darussalam – Chatterjee et al. (2012a); from algal turf growing on Avicennia sp.
pneumatophores at Chorao Island, North Goa, India – Chatterjee et al. (2012a).
Remarks: Acarathrix grandocularis was also mentioned from Singapore along with Rhombognathus amplus
in algae on mangroves (Bartsch 2013).
Distribution: Brunei Darussalam; India; Singapore.
Acarothrix longiunguis Bartsch, 1997
Record associated with mangroves: In soft mud from mangrove area, Sadgroves Creek, near Darwin,
Northern Australia – Bartsch (1997).
Distribution: Northern Australia.
Acarothrix palustris Bartsch, 1990
Record associated with mangroves: Algal turf on salt marshes and mangrove flats, Hong Kong, southern
China – Bartsch (1990); green algae and epibiota on Avicennia pneumatophores in a rockpool, Pandan River,
southern coast of Singapore – Bartsch (2006a); northern coast of Singapore, end of Lim Chu Kang Road
from Cladophora mat on muddy and sandy sediment in mangrove area – Bartsch (2006a); from algal turf
growing on Avicennia pneumatophores at Chorao Island, North Goa, India – Chatterjee et al. (2013).
Distribution: Southern China; Singapore; India.
Acarothrix umgenica Procheş, 2002
Record associated with mangroves: Beachwood and Bayhead Lagoon, near Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South
Africa, sediment on Avicennia pneumatophores – Procheş et al. (2001). South Africa, KwaZulu–Natal,
Beachwood mangroves in Durban, and Richards Bay (South Africa, KwaZulu–Natal) from sediment or algae
covering the pneumatophores of the mangrove tree Avicennia marina – Procheş (2002).
Distribution: South Africa; Mozambique.
Agauopsis arborea Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, Dampier, on the Burrup Peninsula; in muddy algal
turf (Bostrychia – Calloglossa algal association) on the lower trunks and pneumatophores of mangroves –
Bartsch (2003b).
Distribution: Western Australia.
Agauopsis dasyderma Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula; turf on trunk of
Avicennia marina, also among epibionts (barnacles, mussels, turf) on the underside branches of A. marina –
Bartsch (2003a).
Distribution: Western Australia.
Ecol. Mont., 2 (4), 2015, 334-341
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HALACARID AND PONTARACHNID MITES ASSOCIATED WITH MANGROVES
Copidognathus balakrishnani Chatterjee, 2000
Record associated with mangroves: Among algal turf growing on Avicennia pneumatophores at Chorao
Island, North Goa, western India – Chatterjee (2015).
Remarks. Chatterjee (2000) described this species from intertidal algae in Cochin, Kerala, India.
Distribution: India.
Copidognathus bruneiensis Chatterjee, Marshall & Pešić, 2012
Record associated with mangroves: On mud flat and in algae covering the pneumatophores of Avicennia
marina trees; Brunei Darussalam, Kota Batu, Sungai Brunei Estuary and Bay – Chatterjee et al. (2012b).
Distribution: Brunei Darussalam.
Copidognathus caloglossae Procheş, 2002
Record associated with mangroves: South Africa, Eastern Cape, Mtakatye Estuary; KwaZulu–Natal,
Bayhead Lagoon in the Durban Harbour; Richards Bay, Isipingo and Beachwood mangrove forests in
KwaZulu – Natal and Inhambane (Mozambique) from an algal association known as `Bostrychietum’,
covering the pneumatophores of Avicennia marina – Procheş (2002); in sediment covering
pneumatophore in Baywood mangrove forest – Procheş & Marshall (2002b).
Beachwood and Bayhead Lagoon, near Durban, KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa, sediment on Avicennia
pneumatophores – Procheş et al. (2001).
Distribution: South Africa; Mozambique.
Copidognathus lutarius Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula; algal turf on
pneumatophores of Avicennia – Bartsch (2003a).
Distribution: North western Australia.
Copidognathus mangrovorum Chatterjee, Marshall & Pešić, 2012
Record associated with mangroves: On mud flat and in algae covering the pneumatophores of Avicennia
marina; Brunei Darussalam, Kota Batu, Sungai Brunei Estuary and Bay – Chatterjee et al. (2012b).
Distribution: Brunei Darussalam.
Copidognathus paluster Bartsch, 1991
Record associated with mangroves: Hong Kong, southern China; algae (Cladophora) on mangrove flats –
Bartsch (1991).
Distribution: Southern China.
Copidognathus piger Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula; turf on
pneumatophores of Avicennia marina – Bartsch (2003a).
Distribution: Western Australia.
Copidognathus rhombognathoideus Bartsch, 2006
Record associated with mangroves: Singapore, among mangrove areas – Bartsch (2006a); among algal
turf growing on Rhizophora pneumatophores at Batu Marang, Brunei Darussalam – Chatterjee et al. (2012b).
Distribution: Singapore; Brunei Darussalam.
Isobactrus australiensis Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula; underside of
Avicennia branches among barnacles – Bartsch (2003c).
Distribution: Western Australia.
Isobactrus obesus Bartsch, 1992
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, Dampier, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula;
underside of Avicennia marina branches among barnacles; also found in coarse sediments in small mangrove
area – Bartsch (2003c).
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CHATTERJEE
Remarks: Bartsch (1992) described this species among shells of rock oysters (Saccostrea cucullata),
sediment and pebbles with green algae from Hong Kong, southern China.
Distribution: Southern China; Western Australia.
Rhombognathus abirus Pepato & Da Silveira, 2015
Record associated with mangroves: Algal turfs on aerial roots, trunks and pneumatophores of mangroves
Rhizophora mangle and Avicenia schaueriana from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil along the Fazenda River –
Pepato and Da Silveira (2015).
Distribution: Brazil.
Rhombognathus amplus Bartsch, 2013
Record associated with mangroves: Singapore, among green and red algae on trunks of Rhizophora sp. –
Bartsch (2013).
Distribution: Singapore.
Rhombognathus aspidotus Bartsch, 2006
Record associated with mangroves: Singapore, among Bostrychia mats (Rhodophyta) on Avicennia
pneumatophores – Bartsch (2006b).
Distribution: Singapore
Rhombognathus bulbosus Bartsch, 2005
Record associated with mangroves: Found among unbranched thread-like green algae (Cladophorales,
Chlorophyta) and debris from stem of mangrove Rhizophora sp., in a small bay of the Pandan River,
Singapore and from algae (Chlorophyta) on Avicennia pneumatophores growing in adjacent tidal field –
Bartsch (2005)
Distribution: Singapore.
Rhombognathus ocularis Bartsch, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Western Australia, east coast of the Burrup Peninsula; in algal turf
(mainly red algae Caloglossa and Bostrychia) present on branches, stem and pneumatophores of Avicennia
marina – Bartsch (2003a, c).
Distribution: Western Australia.
Rhombognathus picinguabensis Pepato & Da Silveira, 2015
Record associated with mangroves: Algal turfs on aerial roots, trunks and pneumatophores of mangroves
Rhizophora mangle and Avicenia schaueriana from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil along the Fazenda River –
Pepato & Da Silveira (2015).
Distribution: Brazil.
Pontarachnid mites associated with mangroves:
Family Pontarachnidae Koenike, 1910
Litarachna bartschae Smit, 2003
Record associated with mangroves: Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Bay, Pulau Bedukang; among epiphytal
algae from mangrove pneumatophores – Pešić et al. (2013).
Remarks: Smit (2003) described this species without providing information as to the exact microhabitat in
Watering Cove, Burrup Peninsula, Western Australia.
Distribution: Western Australia; Brunei Darussalam.
Litarachna bruneiensis Pešić, Chatterjee, Marshall & Pavićević, 2011
Record associated with mangroves: Collected from dense Avicennia marina pneumatophore mats, depth
about 2 m, Brunei Darussalam, Kota Batu, Sangai Brunei Estuary and Bay – Pešić et al. (2011); among
epiphytal algae from mangrove pneumatophores, Pulau Bedukang, Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Bay – Pešić
et al. (2013).
Ecol. Mont., 2 (4), 2015, 334-341
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HALACARID AND PONTARACHNID MITES ASSOCIATED WITH MANGROVES
Distribution: Brunei Darussalam.
Litarachna caribica Pešić, Chatterjee & Schizas, 2008
Record associated with mangroves: Among epiphytal algae from red mangrove Rhizophora mangle roots,
Caribbean Sea, Netherland Antilles, Curaçao, Niewport – Pešić et al. (2008).
Remarks: Pešić et al. (2015) recorded this species in algae and rubble from Taboguilla Island, Panama
(Pacific coast of Panama).
Distribution: Caribbean Sea; Pacific coast of Panama.
Litarachna degiustii Cook, 1958
Record associated with mangroves: Among epiphytal algae from red mangrove Rhizophora mangle roots,
Caribbean Sea: Netherland Antilles, Curaçao, Niewport and also from Bahamas, near Lee Stocking Island,
Norman's Pond Cay – Pešić et al. (2008)
Remarks: Cook (1958) described this species from Bimini, Bahamas.
Distribution: Caribbean Sea.
Litarachna minuta Pešić, Chatterjee & Marshall 2013
Record associated with mangroves: Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Bay, Pulau Bedukang; among epiphytal
algae from mangrove pneumatophores – Pešić et al. (2013).
Distribution: Brunei Darussalam.
Litarachna indica Pešić, Chatterjee & Ingole, 2012
Record associated with mangroves: India, Goa (North Goa), Virnoda Pernem, Arabian Sea, from algae
associated with Rhizophora pneumatophores – Pešić et al. (2012).
Distribution: India.
Discussion
Halacarid mites live in a variety of substrata including within tufts of algae, on large fronds, in and on
colonies of sponges, hydrozoans, bryozoans, barnacles, mussels and polychaetes, in interstices of coarse
sediment or flocculent ooze, and in intertidal sand and turf growing on mangrove pneumatophores.
Halacarids are also known to dwell on the rough and hairy body surfaces of crustaceans and gastropods,
adjacent to gill chambers of crustaceans and mollusks and between the spines and in the gut of echinoderms.
More than 1000 species of halacarids are currently recognized of which only 23 species have thus far been
found to be associated with mangroves. Among the diverse mangrove microhabitats of mangroves (turf
growing on pneumatophores, turf growing on small lower branches touching the sediment or water level,
mud flats, litter falls), halacarids are mostly found on turf growing on mangrove aerial roots and
pneumatophores and on turf growing on the small lower branches which touch the sediment or the water
surface.
While individual halacarid species have been recorded only from mangrove habitats, no halacarid
genera have thus far been found to be exclusively associated with mangroves (although majority of
Acarothrix seems to occur mainly here). Extensive sampling in other habitats may prove that some apparent
mangrove specialists may be found elsewhere, as well.
The Pontarachnidae Koenike, 1910 is the only family of water mites (Hydrachnidia) that is adapted
to marine waters. Pontarachnids have been reported from both tropical and temperate littoral habitats. Most
species live in the marine littoral zone; a few species have been described from freshwater, but these species
have been found to occur only in estuaries or in locations near the sea (Smit 2009). The family is represented
by two genera, Pontarachna Philippi, 1840 and Litarachna Walter, 1925 and 45 described species. Six
species of Litarachna are known to be associated with mangroves, while none of the 24 known species of
Pontarachna have been found in mangrove habitats.
Our current knowledge of the diversity of mangrove-associated halacarid and pontarachnid mites is
far from complete. Future investigations of the mangrove milieu are expected to reveal many more species.
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CHATTERJEE
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Dr. Nikolaos V. Schizas, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, USA for linguistic help. The author is
also grateful to Dr. G. W. Krantz, Oregon State University, USA and Dr. Şerban Procheş, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa for their valuable remarks.
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