Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: (1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure published manuscripts on soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: (a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, (b) collections and distribution records in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Sorting, counting, and identification of microarthropods from previously collected environmental samples continued. Representative specimens were mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into a reference collection. (3) Consulting services were provided to University of Illinois Extensions Plant Diagnostic Clinic for the identification of mite specimens submitted for identification. Over the course of this project: (1) a substantial collection of published literature on the taxonomy, distribution, biology, and ecology of North American soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites has been assembled; (2) a reference collection of soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites occurring in a variety of natural and managed habitats in Illinois was assembled; (3) consulting services were provided to the Illinois Department of Public Health (isolate and identify the causative agent of an outbreak of "insect bites" that sent hundreds of people to doctors offices and emergency rooms in and around Chicago); (4) services were provided to University of Illinois colleagues working on the ecology, behavior and diseases of wildlife, particularly in the context of West Nile Virus transmission (helped develop protocols for sampling nest-box associates--including free-living and parasitic mesostigmatids--of birds and small mammals, and identified the causative agent of severe dermatitis in overwintering robins around Champaign-Urbana), University of Illinois colleagues investigating cover crop effects in vegetable production systems, and University of Illinois colleagues conducting large-scale field research comparing the environmental responses of different biomass energy production systems (sampling advice and access to specialized facilities for sampling soil microarthropod populations); and (5) acted as a research advisor for a Masters student studying cover crop effects on soil biology in vegetable production systems--graduated in 2010 and has gone on to pursue a PhD in the study of mites. Dissemination: Representative specimens of collected mesostigmatid mites and other soil microarthropods have been mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into the permanent collections of the Prairie Institute (formerly the Illinois Natural History Survey) where, along with alcohol-preserved bulk extractions of environmental samples, they will be available to other researchers. Reports were written for the Illinois Department of Public Health describing the results of investigations of the "insect bite" outbreak in the Chicago area, the biology of the identified causative agent, Pyemotes herfsi, and its connection with that year's emergence of the periodical cicada. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Ed Zaborski (PI/PD) - conducted literature searches and secured copies of relevant literature; maintained literature database, collected environmental samples (soil, litter and other plant debris, plant tissues, vertebrate nesting materials), extracted microarthropods from field samples using modified high-gradient extractors, sorted and counted microarthropods, cleared and mounted specimens in permanent microscope slides, and identified specimens. TARGET AUDIENCES: Agricultural, biological, and ecological researchers, agricultural producers and other land managers, natural resource managers, Extension agents, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in agricultural systems are revealed in soil degradation and erosion, water pollution, and a growing reliance on purchased inputs and non-renewable resources; our current agricultural system is one that is typically maintained in an over-simplified and unstable state that "evolved" only with heavy inputs of cheap energy in the form of synthetic chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen) and pesticides. These energy subsidies could be replaced, at least in part, with knowledge and skillful management by aligning the goals of agricultural production with the complex interactions and cycles present in both managed and unmanaged systems. Agricultural systems designed around these interactions and cycles can utilize and recycle nutrients more efficiently and reduce pest outbreaks. Examples of this can be found in diversified organic production systems. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes requires a clear understanding of how specific management options affect soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with assemblages of soil invertebrates, especially soil mesostigmatid mites--important top predators in soil foodwebs. Because of our limited knowledge about soil mesostigmatids in Illinois, baseline data and research collections are an essential first step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. Using mesostigmatids to objectively assess and monitor changes in response to disturbance requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American species and the evaluation of their responses to disturbances in controlled experiments. Furthermore, optimizing the performance of mesostigmatids in agricultural systems (e.g., as natural enemies of crop pests) requires knowledge of the feeding relationships of these cryptic fauna. Outcomes and impacts accrued over the course of this project include the following: (1) building a library of literature on North American Acarina, particularly the taxonomic literature (original descriptions and revisions), has improved my ability to provide identification services and advise colleagues in their investigations; (2) Collections of soil and litter samples from around the state are increasing our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of mites in Illinois, and improving a collection of preserved reference material to aid future research; (3) Initial data suggests that the species composition and abundance of mesostigmatid mites are influenced by disturbance and management; and (4) My methodological advice and my ability to provide species identifications has been sought by the Illinois Department of Public Health and by colleagues studying ecology, behavior, and diseases of wildlife, particularly in the context of West Nile Virus transmission, environmental responses to alternative biomass energy crop production systems, and the use of cover crops in food production systems. In the latter case, I acted as a research advisor for a Masters student who graduated in 2010 and has gone on to pursue a PhD in the study of mites.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure published manuscripts on soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distribution records in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Sorting, counting, and identification of microarthropods from previously collected environmental samples continued. Representative specimens will be mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into a reference collection. 3) Consulting services and access to specialized facilities for sampling soil microarthropod populations were provided to University of Illinois colleagues conducting large-scale field research comparing the environmental responses of different biomass energy production systems. Dissemination: Representative specimens of collected mesostigmatid mites and other soil microarthropods are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into the permanent collections of the Illinois Natural History Survey, where they will be available to other researchers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Ed Zaborski (PI/PD) - conducted literature searches and secured copies of relevant literature; maintained literature database; collected environmental samples (soil, litter and other plant debris, plant tissues, vertebrate nesting materials); extracted microarthropods from field samples using modified high-gradient extractors; sorted and counted microarthropods; cleared and mounted specimens in permanent microscope slides; identified specimens. Collaborators and Contacts: May Berenbaum, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois - provided her with access to facilities and advice on sampling soil microarthropod populations in biomass energy field studies. Training or Professional Development: Serve on MS Committee, and provide technical advice on sampling, preparation and identification of soil invertebrate communities, and their statistical analysis, for Stephanie Dodd, a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Richard Weinzerl in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Agricultural, biological, and ecological researchers, agricultural producers and other land managers, natural resource managers, Extension agents, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, water pollution, and a growing reliance on purchased inputs and non-renewable resources; our current agricultural system is one that is typically maintained in an over-simplified and unstable state that "evolved' only with heavy inputs of cheap energy in the form of synthetic chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen) and pesticides. In contrast, it is thought that these energy subsidies can be replaced with knowledge and skillful management by aligning the goals of agricultural production with the complex interactions and cycles present in both managed and unmanaged systems. Agricultural systems designed around these interactions and cycles can utilize and recycle nutrients more efficiently and reduce pest outbreaks. Examples of this can be found in the evolution of diversified organic production systems supplying the most rapidly growing sector in the agricultural marketplace. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of agricultural soil invertebrates, especially soil mesostigmatid mites--important top predators in soil foodwebs. Because of our limited knowledge about soil mesostigmatids in Illinois, baseline data and research collections are an essential first step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful use of mesostigmatids for objectively assessing and monitoring changes in response to disturbance requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American species and the evaluation of their responses to disturbances in controlled experiments. Furthermore, optimizing the performance of mesostigmatids in agricultural systems (e.g., as natural enemies of crop pests) requires knowledge of the trophic relationships of these cryptic fauna. 1) Building a library of literature on North American Acarina, particularly the taxonomic literature (original descriptions and revisions), has improved my ability to provide identification services. 2) Collections of soil and litter samples from around the state are increasing our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of mites in Illinois, and improving a collection of preserved reference material. 3) Initial data suggests that the species composition and abundance of mesostigmatid mites are influenced by disturbance and management. 4) My methodological advice and my ability to provide species identifications has been sought by colleagues studying biomass energy production systems and the use of cover crops in food production systems--this includes acting as a research advisor for a Masters student who graduated in 2010 and has gone on to pursue a PhD in Acarology--the study of mites.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure published manuscripts on soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distribution records in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Sorting, counting, and identification of microarthropods from previously collected environmental samples continued. Sources of samples included a 4-year field experiment investigating alternative agricultural management pathways to organic certification, replicated experimental plots comparing elephant grass (Miscanthus x giganteus), Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and corn (Zea mays) for biomass fuel production, and litter and soil from twelve sites in 6 counties in central and northwest Illinois. Representative specimens will be mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into a reference collection. 3) Laboratory cultures of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (a predatory soil mesostigmatid mite available commercially for biological control of fungus gnat larvae and supplemental control of thrips), enchytraeid worms, and onion thrips was established to support testing of methods to screen micropredator gut contents for the identification of prey. Target segments of prey species mitochondrial DNA were identified for amplification in screening of predator gut contents. Dissemination: 1) An internet webinar summarizing the study of organic transition pathways was held as a networking event among research-outreach groups on the "eOrganic" website, the virtual workspace of the Commercial Organic Production Community of Practice of eXtension.org. 2) Representative specimens of collected mesostigmatid mites and other soil microarthropods are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into the permanent collections of the Illinois Natural History Survey, where they will be available to other researchers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Ed Zaborski (PI/PD) - conducted literature searches and secured copies of relevant literature; maintained literature database; collected environmental samples (soil, litter and other plant debris, plant tissues, vertebrate nesting materials); extracted microarthropods from field samples using modified high-gradient extractors; sorted and counted microarthropods; cleared and mounted specimens in permanent microscope slides; identified specimens; prepared and presented outreach materials; performed experiments developing/testing molecular methods for micropredator gut content analysis; and maintain laboratory cultures of soil invertebrates used in these experiments. Collaborators and Contacts: Rosanna Giordano, Illinois Natural History Survey - provide consultation and access to facilities for molecular methods for predator gut content analysis. Training or Professional Development: Serve on MS Committee, and provide technical advice on sampling, preparation and identification of soil invertebrate communities, and their statistical analysis, for Stephanie Dodd, a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Richard Weinzerl in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Agricultural producers and other land managers, natural resource managers, Extension agents, agricultural researchers, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, water pollution, and a growing reliance on purchased inputs and non-renewable resources; our current agricultural system is one that is typically maintained in an over-simplified and unstable state that "evolved' only with heavy inputs of cheap energy in the form of synthetic chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen) and pesticides. In contrast, it is thought that these energy subsidies can be replaced with knowledge and skillful management by aligning the goals of agricultural production with the complex interactions and cycles present in both managed and unmanaged systems. Agricultural systems designed around these interactions and cycles can utilize and recycle nutrients more efficiently and reduce pest outbreaks. Examples of this can be found in the evolution of diversified organic production systems supplying the most rapidly growing sector in the agricultural marketplace. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of agricultural soil invertebrates, especially soil mesostigmatid mites--important top predators in soil foodwebs. Because of our limited knowledge about soil mesostigmatids in Illinois, baseline data and research collections are an essential first step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful use of mesostigmatids for objectively assessing and monitoring changes in response to disturbance requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American species and the evaluation of their responses to disturbances in controlled experiments. Furthermore, optimizing the performance of mesostigmatids in agricultural systems (e.g., as natural enemies of crop pests) requires knowledge of the trophic relationships of these cryptic fauna. 1) Building a library of literature on North American Acarina, particularly the taxonomic literature (original descriptions and revisions), has improved my ability to provide identification services. 2) Collections of soil and litter samples from around the state are increasing our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of mites in Illinois, and improving a collection of preserved reference material. 3) Initial data suggests that the species composition and abundance of mesostigmatid mites are influenced by disturbance and management. 4) My methodological advice and my ability to provide species identifications has been sought by colleagues studying the use of cover crops in food production systems--this includes acting as a research advisor for a Masters student. 5) The development of methods to facilitate the determination of trophic relationships among soil-inhabiting mesostigmatids and other micropredators in the field will revolutionize our understanding of these cryptic fauna as predators of key agricultural pests.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure published manuscripts on soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distribution records in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Sorting, counting, and identification of microarthropods from a subset of approximately 700 soil samples previously collected from a 4-year field experiment investigating alternative agricultural management pathways to organic certification was initiated. Different management pathways comprised combinations of three different cropping systems (perennial ley, row-crop, and vegetable) with three different organic soil amendments (crop and cover crop residues alone, or in combination with either fresh cow manure or finished compost. 3) Additional soil samples were collected from replicated experimental plots comparing elephant grass (Miscanthus x giganteus), Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and corn (Zea mays) for biomass fuel production. These biomass plots present a unique situation--a perennial agricultural system with exceptionally low levels of disturbance (tillage, nutrient enrichment, pesticides) and high levels of internal crop residue recycling. This habitat shares characteristics of both highly disturbed agricultural systems and relatively undisturbed natural systems, and it was hypothesized that soil fauna from these systems may share some identity with those found in unmanaged, undisturbed systems. 4) Soil microarthropods were extracted from newly-collected environmental samples into alcohol using a high-gradient soil microarthropod extractor in preparation for sorting, identification, and quantification. Dissemination: 1) Outreach articles relating to the study of organic transition pathways are being prepared for dissemination to the public via the "eXtension.org" website, through the eOrganic Community of Practice. 2) Displays and presentations about soil invertebrates, including soil mesostigmatid mites, were prepared for a public open house held to mark the 150th year of the Illinois Natural History Survey and attended by hundreds of people. 3) Representative specimens of collected mesostigmatid mites and other soil microarthropods are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into the permanent collections of the Illinois Natural History Survey, where they will be available to other researchers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals Ed Zaborski (PI/PD) - conducted literature searches and secured copies of relevant literature; maintained literature database; collected environmental samples (soil, litter and other plant debris, plant tissues, vertebrate nesting materials); extracted microarthropods from field samples using modified high-gradient extractors; sorted and counted microarthropods; cleared and mounted specimens in permanent microscope slides; identified specimens; prepared and presented outreach materials. Training or Professional Development: I provided technical advice on sampling, preparation and identification of soil invertebrate communities, and their statistical analysis, for Stephanie Dodd, a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Richard Weinzerl in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Displays and presentations about soil invertebrates, including soil mesostigmatid mites, were prepared for a public open house held to mark the 150th year of the Illinois Natural History Survey and attended by hundreds of people. Representative specimens of collected mesostigmatid mites and other soil microarthropods are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into the permanent collections of the Illinois Natural History Survey, where they will be available to other researchers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, ground and surface water pollution, and a growing reliance on increasingly expensive purchased inputs and non-renewable resources. Recent events have focused attention on the energy-intensive nature of our current agricultural system, one that is typically maintained in an over-simplified and unstable state that "evolved' only with heavy inputs of cheap energy in the form of synthetic chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen) and pesticides. In contrast, it is thought that these energy subsidies can be replaced with knowledge and skillful management by aligning the goals of agricultural production with the complex interactions and cycles present in both managed and unmanaged systems. Agricultural systems designed around these interactions and cycles can utilize and recycle nutrients more efficiently, and reduce pest outbreaks. Examples of this can be found in the evolution of diversified organic production systems supplying the most rapidly growing sector in the agricultural marketplace. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of agricultural soil invertebrates. Because of our limited knowledge about soil invertebrates in Illinois, the establishment of baseline data and well-documented research collections is an essential early step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful development of a maturity index for mesostigmatid mites requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American mesostigmatids, the objective assignment of index scores to mite families, and the evaluation and adjustment of the index in controlled experiments evaluating known disturbances. Once developed, such a maturity index will be a useful tool for assessing soil condition and for monitoring changes in response to disturbance or management. 1) Building a library of literature on North American Acarina, particularly the taxonomic literature (original descriptions and revisions), has improved my ability to provide identification services. 2) Collections of soil and litter samples from around the state is increasing our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of mites in Illinois, and improving the Illinois Natural History Survey's collection of preserved reference material. 3) Initial data suggests that the species composition and abundance of soil microarthropods, including mesostigmatid mites, are influenced by both the cropping system and the organic soil amendments used during transition to organic certification. 4) My methodological advice and my ability to provide species identifications has been sought by colleagues studying the use of cover crops in food production systems--this includes acting as a research advisor for a Masters student--and proposing biological surveys of representative ecosystems.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: OUTPUTS: 1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure published manuscripts on soil- and litter-inhabiting mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distribution records in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Additional soil samples were collected from replicated experimental plots comparing elephant grass (Miscanthus x giganteus), Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) and corn (Zea mays) for biomass fuel production. These biomass plots present a unique situation--a perennial agricultural system with exceptionally low levels of disturbance (tillage, nutrient enrichment, pesticides) and high levels of internal crop residue recycling. This habitat shares characteristics of both highly disturbed agricultural systems and relatively undisturbed natural systems, and it was hypothesized that soil fauna from these systems may share some identity with those found in
unmanaged, undisturbed systems. 3) Approximately 750 soil and litter samples collected from a variety of habitats, including deciduous and coniferous forest leaf litter, rotting logs and stumps, prairie litter, intermittent wetland plant residues, turfgrass, treeholes, nesting cavities of birds and mammals, compost, and agricultural systems differing in cropping history and soil organic amendment, are being processed. Soil microarthropods were extracted from these samples into alcohol using a high-gradient soil microarthropod extractor, and the extracted animals are being sorted, identified and quantified. Representative specimens are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into a reference collection. 4) I have assisted colleagues working on the ecology, behavior and diseases of wildlife (particularly in the context of West Nile Virus transmission) in developing protocols for sampling nestbox associates--including free-living and parasitic mesostigmatids--of birds
and small mammals. 5) Specimens of window-killed birds, including Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), and House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), were washed to recover specimens of ectoparasitic mites. 6) Dermal scrapings from the legs of an American Robin, Turdus migratorius Linn., exhibiting severe keratosis and foot deformation were collected and examined to identify the causative agent. 7) I assisted University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department of Health in identifying the cause of an outbreak of "bug bites" in the Chicago area that resulted in hundreds of people going to doctors offices and hospital emergency rooms in search of relief. DISSEMINATION: I communicated the results of my investigations of the Chicago "bug bite" outbreak to entomologists, public health professionals and the public-at-large via several newspaper and television interviews, and oral presentations at the annual meetings of the Illinois Mosquito and Vector
Control Association and the Entomological Society of America.
PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: Ed Zaborski (PI/PD) - conducted literature searches and secured copies of relevant literature; maintained literature database; collected environmental samples (soil, litter and other plant debris, plant tissues, vertebrate nesting materials); extracted microarthropods from field samples using modified high-gradient extractors; sorted and counted microarthropods; cleared and mounted specimens in permanent microscope slides; identified specimens; prepared and presented results of investigations. Luis Jimenz-Orellana (research assistant) - assisted in photocopying relevant literature; helped with collection and processing of environmental samples, sorting and counting microarthropods. Partner Organizations: Illinois Department of Public Health - provided assistance for and collaboration in effort to identify cause of Chicago "bug bite" outbreak. Collaborators and Contacts: Nohra Mateus-Pinilla, Wildlife and Plant Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Mark
Ward, Economic Entomology, Illinois Natural History Survey, Linn Haramis, Vector Control Program Manager, Illinois Department of Public Health, Barb O'Meara, Environmental Health Specialist, Illinois Department of Public Health, Alberto Broce, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, John Moser, Research Entomologist, USDA-Forest Service, Alexandria Forestry Center, Ronald Ochoa, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, John Cooley, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, and Gene Kritsky, Department of Biology, College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinatti.
TARGET AUDIENCES: County Public Health Department (and other public health professionals) and the general public in the greater Chicago area; members of the Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association.
Impacts
OUTCOMES/IMPACTS: Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, ground and surface water pollution and a growing reliance on increasingly expensive purchased inputs and non-renewable resources. In a strictly economic sense, these inefficiencies represent waste for the producer. For society as a whole, they represent remediation costs and an erosion of the natural resource base. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect carbon flows and soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of soil invertebrates that occur in agricultural systems. Because of the poor state of our current knowledge about soil invertebrates in Illinois--biogeographically, taxonomically, and ecologically--the establishment of baseline
data and well-documented research collections is an essential early step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful development of a maturity index for mesostigmatid mites requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American mesostigmatids, the objective assignment of index scores to mite families, and the evaluation and adjustment of the index in controlled experiments evaluating known disturbances. Once developed, such a maturity index will be a useful tool for assessing soil condition and for monitoring changes in response to disturbance or management. 1) Building a library of literature on North American Acarina, particularly the taxonomic literature (original descriptions and revisions), has improved my ability to provide identification services. I was able to identify the cause of the "bug bite" outbreak in Chicago as the insect-parasitic mite Pyemotes herfsi (Oudemans, 1936), and its host as the eggnests of
periodical cicadas (Magicicada sp.). This helped public health professionals and citizens identify strategies and practices that would or would not provide relief from the bites caused by these mites, increased our understanding of the biology and ecology of these mites, and helped identify gaps in our knowledge of their ecology and ability to manage them. I also identified the cause of severe keratosis and foot deformation in an American Robin to be the parasitic mite Knemidokoptes jamaicensis (Turk, 1950). This may possibly be the first record of this parasitic mite from Illinois. 2) Collections of soil and litter samples from around the state is increasing our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of mites in Illinois, and improving the Illinois Natural History Survey's collection of preserved reference material. 3) Using my methodological advice and my ability to provide species identifications, colleagues have begun a study of the role of nest associates of birds and small
mammals in disease epidemiology.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
This is the first full year of activity for this project. 1) A literature search was continued to identify and secure manuscripts on soil mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distributions in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Soil samples collected in 3-yr old replicated plots comparing elephant grass (Miscanthus x gigantean) and Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) for biomass fuel production contained microarthropods that were unusual for communities in agricultural systems. These biomass plots present a unique situation--a perennial agricultural system with exceptionally low levels of disturbance (tillage, nutrient enrichment, pesticides) and high levels of internal crop residue recycling. This habitat shares characteristics of both highly disturbed agricultural systems and relatively undisturbed natural systems, and it was hypothesized that soil fauna from
these systems may share some identity with those found in unmanaged, undisturbed systems. Among the predatory mesostigmatid mites obtained from the samples, the presence of Podocinum pacificum was remarkable. This species is typically found inhabiting the litter layer of wooded environments where it preys on surface-dwelling springtails. 3) More than two hundred soil samples were collected from from a variety of habitats, including turfgrass, deciduous forest leaf litter, and agricultural systems differing in cropping history and soil organic amendment. Soil microarthropods were extracted from these samples into alcohol using a high-gradient soil microarthropod extractor, and the extracted animals are now being sorted, identified and quantified. Representatives specimens are being mounted in permanent microscope slides for accession into a reference collection.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, ground and surface water pollution and a growing reliance on increasingly expensive purchased inputs and non-renewable resources. In a strictly economic sense, these inefficiencies represent waste for the producer. For society as a whole, they represent remediation costs and an erosion of the natural resource base. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect carbon flows and soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of soil invertebrates that occur in agricultural systems. Because of the poor state of our current knowledge about soil invertebrates in Illinois--biogeographically, taxonomically, and ecologically--the establishment of baseline data and
well-documented research collections is an essential early step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful development of a maturity index for mesostigmatid mites requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American mesostigmatids, the objective assignment of index scores to mite families, and the evaluation and adjustment of the index in controlled experiments evaluating known disturbances. Once developed, such a maturity index will be a useful tool for assessing soil condition and for monitoring changes in response to disturbance or management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
This is a newly funded project. 1) A literature search was initiated to identify and secure manuscripts on soil mesostigmatid mites, with special reference to: a) primary taxonomic descriptions and revisions, b) collections and distributions in North America, and c) biology and ecology of North American taxa. 2) Soil samples were collected in November from 3-yr old replicated plots comparing elephant grass (Miscanthus x gigantean) and Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) for biomass fuel production. These samples have been extracted in a high gradient microarthropod extractor into alcohol and await processing. These plots present a unique situation--a perennial agricultural system with exceptionally low levels of disturbance (tillage, nutrient enrichment, pesticides) and high levels of internal crop residue recycling. Mesostigmatid mites from these samples will come from a habitat that shares characteristics of both highly disturbed agricultural systems and relatively
undisturbed natural systems. 3) Additional soil/litter samples were collected from rotting, termite-infested logs in Champaign County, Illinois and from leaf litter and compost in Wayne County, Ohio. These have been extracted and await processing.
Impacts
Inefficiencies in the functioning of biologically-mediated soil processes in current agricultural systems are manifested in soil degradation and erosion, ground and surface water pollution and a growing reliance on increasingly expensive purchased inputs and non-renewable resources. In a strictly economic sense, these inefficiencies represent waste for the producer. For society as a whole, they represent remediation costs and an erosion of the natural resource base. Designing management systems that optimize biologically-mediated soil processes will require a clear understanding of how specific management options affect carbon flows and soil invertebrate communities. This, in turn, will require familiarity with the assemblages of soil invertebrates that occur in agricultural systems. Because of the poor state of our current knowledge about soil invertebrates in Illinois--biogeographically, taxonomically, and ecologically--the establishment of baseline data and
well-documented research collections is an essential early step in understanding and managing this part of our soil resource. The successful development of a maturity index for mesostigmatid mites requires the synthesis and summarization of life history information of North American mesostigmatids, the objective assignment of index scores to mite families, and the evaluation and adjustment of the index in controlled experiments evaluating known disturbances. Once developed, such a maturity index will be a useful tool for assessing soil condition and for monitoring changes in response to disturbance or management.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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