Diversidade alfa de ácaros em mangueira e suas relações ecológicas

Abstract

Mites are small arthropods that are present in the most varied crops. However, studies on the presence of mites in mango culture are still quite scarce in Brazil. This work aimed to evaluate the diversity of mites in mango, the correlations between the most abundant species, and their relationships with abiotic factors. For this, monthly collections were carried out for a year, considering different quadrants, branches, leaves, and reproductive structures of the plant. Twenty-eight mite species were found. The Eriophyidae family was the most abundant in the phytophagous mites category, representing 90.0% of the individuals collected. Among the phytophagous, Cisaberoptus kenyae, Vilaia pamithus and Oligonychus mangiferus were the most abundant, representing, respectively, 87.4; 6.1 and 3.0% of the total mites collected in this category. The Phytoseiidae and Cunaxidae families were the most abundant among predators, with 40.1 and 36.5% of the total mites collected in this category, respectively. Diversity was regulated by environmental variables, temperature, and precipitation, being higher at the basal and median levels of the plant. Eriophyid mites correlated only with abiotic factors, while O. mangiferus with predators of the Cheyletidae family and also with abiotic factors. The species Spinacus pagonis and Vilaia pamithus were more abundant in the eastern and southern quadrants, respectively. The number of O. mangiferus and the Phytoseiidae family was higher in the basal leaves of the branch.