ACAROLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA) OF AN URBAN GREEN AREA IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

The objectives of the study were to assess and compare mite communities from the biggest urban area in Bucharest-Morii Lake, in relation to the soil environmental variables (soil and air temperature; soil pH; soil and air moisture content; soil penetration resistance) and the type of habitats/transects (park area, natural area-island, grassland). The study was made in June 2017. For soil fauna, sixty soil samples were collected, using a MacFadyen core. Seventeen mite species were identified, with 55 individuals. We observed that soil and air temperature, air humidity and soil acidity varied highly significantly between the three transects. Soil temperature, soil moisture content, air humidity influenced significantly the structural composition of the mite populations. Certain parameters were used: numerical abundance, dominance, constancy, species diversity and equitability. Using these indices, we demonstrated that the transect T1-park area offered the most favourable conditions, with the least favourable being T2-island. Acarological characterisation of an urban green area in Bucharest, Romania, revealed that, even at the local scale, the type of habitat and environmental variables influenced significantly the structural composition of the mite populations.