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WATER MITES (ACARI: PARASITENGONA: HYDRACHNIDA) OF SPRING HABITATS IN CANADA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Ian M. Smith
Ian M. Smith*
Affiliation:
Biosystematics Research Centre, Agriculture Canada, Research Branch, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0C6
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Abstract

This paper reviews and summarizes information on the systematics, distribution, life history, and ecology of water mites in spring habitats in Canada, primarily on the basis of new data. The fauna comprises over 115 species, representing 57 genera and 25 families, in three ecological groups adapted for living in helocrenes, rheocrenes, and limnocrenes, respectively, though many species are able to exploit more than one type of spring habitat. The evolution of adaptations in water mites for living in spring habitats is discussed within the context of new hypotheses on the origins and zoogeography of spring-inhabiting taxa. A synopsis of available data suggests that knowledge of the species composition and structure of water mite communities can be used to characterize springs, and to assess and monitor the impact of environmental changes on these habitats. Inadequacies in the current database on Canadian species are identified, specifically uncertain species identities, incomplete zoogeographic data, inconsistent definition of spring habitats, and inadequate collecting techniques. Future studies are proposed to encourage research designed to overcome these inadequacies, and improve understanding of the biological roles of water mites inhabiting springs.

Résumé

Cet article passe en revue et résume des renseignements concernant la systématique, la métamorphose et l'écologie des acariens aquatiques dans les habitats des sources au Canada, principalement sur la base de données nouvelles. La faune acarienne consiste de plus de 115 espèces, représentant 57 genres et 25 familles, comprenant trois groupes écologiques adaptés pour vivre dans les hélocrènes, les rhéocrènes et les limnocrènes, respectivement, malgré que plusieurs espèces peuvent exploiter plus d'une sorte d'habitat des sources. L'évolution des adaptations chez les acariens aquatiques pour vivre dans les habitats des sources est discutée dans un contexte d'hypothèses nouvelles concernant les origines et la zoogéographie des taxons qui habitent les sources. Une vue d'ensemble des données disponibles suggère qu'une connaissance de la composition des espèces et de la structure des communautés d'acariens aquatiques pourrait servir à caractériser les sources et à évaluer et contrôler l'impact des changements environnementaux sur ces habitats. Les lacunes de la banque de données courante des espèces canadiennes ont été identifiées, en particulier les identités incertaines d'espèce, les données zoogéographiques incomplètes, la manque d'uniformité dans la définition des habitats des sources, et les techniques de collection inadéquates. L'on propose des études futures visant à encourager la recherche destinée à surmonter ces insuffisances et à améliorer la compréhension des rôles biologiques des acariens aquatiques qui habitent les sources.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada , Volume 123 , Supplement S155 , 1991 , pp. 141 - 167
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1991

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