The diversity of zerconid mites (Acari, Zerconidae) in Akdag National Park (Denizli/Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, to determine zerconid mites fauna of Turkey, litters, rotted tree roots, moss and soil samples were collected from different localities in Akdağ National Park between March 2018 - August 2018. Collected samples with mites were placed into plastic bags, labelled and transferred to the laboratory. Samples were placed into combined Berlese funnels, and mites were extracted for 5–7 days according to their humidity. Mites were separated under a stereo-microscope. They were placed in 60% lactic acid for clearing and mounted onto permanent microscope slides using a glycerin medium. The examination and drawing of mites were done by using an Olympus CX41 microscope with DP25 camera. Then, the samples were put in stock bottles containing 70 % alcohol and 1- 3 drops glycine and labelled. The zerconid mites collected from Akdağ National Park (Denizli) are evaluated and the following species are recorded: Zercon afyonensis, Z. beleviensis, Z. cokelezicus, Z. colligans, Z. hispanicus, Z. huseyini, Z. inonuensis, Z. kallimcii, Z. ozkani, P. banazensis and P. bulbiferus. Nymph specimens of Z. afyonensis Urhan and Duran, 2017 were recorded for the first time with this study. On the basis of the collected specimens, measurements of eleven species are given and their geographic distributions are discussed.

Keywords: Acari, Zerconidae, Akdağ National Park, Systematic, Turkey.