Acarofauna plantícola e edáfica da cultura da cana-de-açúcar e de caboatã, em área de mata atlântica no estado de Alagoas, Brasil

Abstract

Mites correspond to the second biggest arthropod group. They inhabit the most different environments and they can feed on a wide range of substrates being plants (phytophagous) and preys (predators) among them, and they will develop on the substrate or in the soil. The current study aimed to survey edaphic and plant-inhabiting mite fauna of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and “Caboatã” (Cupania sp.) crops in areas of Atlantic forest. For that, collections were done between December 2011 and August 2012. Samples from leaves, culms, leaf litter and soil of sugarcane and “caboatã” crops, being the latest a frequent plant species in Atlantic Forest of “zona da mata” in Alagoas State. Collected samples were put inside paper bags wrapped in plastic bags, tagged and placed in refrigerated foam box with ice blocks (Gelo-x®) during transportation, and conducted to “Laboratório de Entomologia e Acarologia” of Alagoas Federal University- Campus Arapiraca. The extraction of mites from leaves was done under stereoscopic microscope. Edaphic mites were extracted using modified Berlese-Tullgren-like equipment. The specimens were quantified and stored in eppendorfs containing 70% alcohol. After this procedure, microscope slides were mounted for posterior identification using a phase-contrast microscope and specialized dichotomous key. It was collected a total of 4442 plant-inhabiting mites, being most of them from sugarcane (2565 mites). Nevertheless, the diversity found in C. vernalis was higher. In regard to edaphic mites, 7064 specimens were collected mainly from leaf litter. From those, the highest quantity and diversity was observed in Atlantic Forest. Among plant-inhabiting mites from sugarcane, one new species of genus Abacarus Keifer, 1944, belonging to family Eriophyidae, was found. Therefore, as a conclusion, the highest diversity of plant-inhabiting and edaphic mites was found in Atlantic Forest areas.