Edaphic mites: diversity, relationship with the microbiota and ecology in natural and cultivated areas in Brazil, with the preparation of databases and keys to identify selected groups

Abstract

Knowledge about the edaphic acarofauna in the different Brazilian biomes is incipient. Studies of this sort have just not been conducted in extensive areas of the country, especially in regard to mites from areas of agricultural interest, such as soybean, corn and sugarcane plantations. One of the most common groups of edaphic mites is the order Mesostigmata. These are known for their potential as biological control agents of organisms harmful to agriculture. The objective of this study is to determine the mesostigmatid groups in natural and cultivated areas of each Brazilian biome (Amazonian and Atlantic Forests, Caatinga, Cerrado, Pampa and Pantanal), including their morphological and molecular characterization; to conduct the molecular characterization of mite lineages, envisioning their correct identification and the correct classification of their respective families and genera, in support of their morphological characterization; to describe new taxa (at least 40 species); to determine at least three species of predatory mites with potential as biological control agents of pest and parasitic organisms that live or spend part of their life cycle in the soil; to determine the microbiota associated with edaphic mites, determining the patterns of association related to mite phylogeny, food habit, reproduction and characteristics of the associated biome; to conclude the preparation of taxonomic catalogs, electronic and dichotomous keys of the most common mesostigmatid families (especially de Ascidae, Blattisociidae, Melicharidae, Phytoseiidae, Laelapidae, Macrochelidae and Rhodacaroidea); to consolidate an existing international training program on the identification of mites of agricultural importance. It is hoped that this project will contribute to the conduction of future worldwide studies on mesostigmatids, in relation to their taxonomy (morphologic and molecular) and possible use as biological control agents of pests and parasites. (AU)