Acarina (2005) 13, 75-84

A.D. Petrova-Nikitina, A.B. Antropova, V.L. Mokeeva, L.N. Chekunova, E.N. Bilanenko, T.A. Bulgakova and T.M. Zheltikova (2005)
To the study of biocenotic relationships between house dust mites (Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae) and mould fungi
Acarina 13 (1), 75-84
Abstract: The population dynamics of two house dust mites species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae, and the mould fungi were studied during long-term culturing of mites (30 weeks) in the simple periodic cultures (SPC) without food supply added. Beard shavings (BS), were used as the food substrate. The population dynamics of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae in SPC were similar in general and differed by the longevity of the lag-phase, exponential growth, plateau, and decline; as well as by the maximum abundance and the relative speed of the population growth.
The species diversity and abundance of micromycetes in the primary food substrate for mites (control) were low. In the following experimental period these species were not recorded anymore. In SPC of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae 14 species of mould fungi from 6 genera were revealed. Ten species of micromycetes from 4 genera were recorded in the culture of D. pteronyssinus, and 11 species from 5 genera were found in the culture of D. farinae. The Jaccard similarity index constituted 50%. In the cultures of both species Aspergillus penicillioides predominated with the frequency value 100% and the maximum number more than 108 CFU/g of substrate. A. repens, Wallemia sebi and Chrysosporium sp. had subdominant positions. An increase in number of mites and mould in cultures was synchronous. However after reaching the plateau there were no decrease in number of micromycetes observed like in the populations of mites. These data should be taken into account when preparing mite allergens. The relationships between mites and mould can be regarded in this experiment as protocooperation.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Dermatophagoides farinae		Russia (Eur.)
	Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus		Russia (Eur.)