Life cycle of the mite Podocinum sagax (Mesostigmata: Podocinidae) on two distinct prey: the free-living nematode Rhabditella axei (Rhabditidae) and the mite Thyreophagus cracentiseta (Astigmata: Acaridae)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the life cycle of Podocinum sagax (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Podocinidae) preying upon the free-living nematode Rhabditella axei (Cobbold), or the mite Thyreophagus cracentiseta Barbosa, OConnor and Moraes, at 25 ± 2 °C, 95 ± 5% RH, and in the dark. The total immature development (egg-adult) of P. sagax was completed in approximately eight days on either of the respective prey, with high survivorship rates (≥ 74%). The larvae did not feed and lacked an evident anal opening, suggesting that this loss or reduction is developmentally associated with aphagy and the extremely brief larval phase (approximately 0.4–0.6 days). The adult longevity of P. sagax ranged from 14.9–16.2 for males and 18.4–23.2 for females. Daily oviposition rate (0.8–1.1 egg/female/day) and intrinsic rate of increase (0.163–0.228 female/female/day) of P. sagax were about the same on both prey, with no significant difference observed. Given the limited knowledge of the behavioral and ecological aspects of Podocinidae, this study provides a valuable contribution to understanding the family’s biology. It has important implications for further research on related environmental topics for the species P. sagax.