SUBMERSION TOLERANCE OF WRACK-DWELLING MITES IN THE WHITE SEA LITTORAL ZONE

About authors:

Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Biological Faculty, Lomonosow Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

Acknowledgments:

The authors are grateful to O. L. Makarova (the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS, Moscow) for her assistance with the identification of select mite species, as well as for contributing to the discussion of the experimental design, her feedback on the manuscript draft and valuable sup- port throughout all stages of the research. We also thank V. A. Khaustov (University of Tyumen, Tyumen) for his consultations regarding the status and distribution of T. (Typhlodromus) pritchardi.

The fieldwork component of this study was conducted by G. D. Voropaev as part of a summer field biology practicum organized by Moscow School No. 179. We extend our gratitude to all participants, especially to F. O. Belenkov, as well as to the supervisors: E. G. Petrash and E. I. Kudryavtseva—for their support.

We also thank V. V. Belyakov for English language editing.

Abstract:

This study investigates the submersion tolerance of mite assemblages inhabiting storm-cast wrack accumulations along the White Sea littoral zone. We have simulated natural re-immersion by submerging perforated containers with intact seaweed samples to a depth of 3 m for periods of 15 and 30 days. The results demonstrate a significant decline in both diversity and abundance of terrestrial mites with increasing submersion time. While the control series contained 12 mite species, this number fell to 10 after 15 days and to only 3 after 30 days. The most abundant mesostigmatic species exhibited survival rates of only 0.2–1% after two weeks, while nearly all mites perished after one month of submersion. This indicates that the submersion tolerance of wrack-dwelling mites is markedly lower than that of mites from other littoral habitats—like saline marsh soils or rocks—which can survive for months. The lack of specialized morphological adaptations for plastron respiration—along with the potential complications associated with molting underwater—are discussed as possible factors limiting survival.

DOI: 10.21684/0132-8077-2026-34-1-107-114

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