An association between the Antarctic mite Alaskozetes antarcticus and an entomophthoralean fungus of the genus Neozygites

• Published in: Experimental and Applied Acarology
• Main Authors: Bridge, P. D., Worland, M. Roger
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Springer 2008
• Subjects: Biology and Microbiology; Ecology and Environment; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Alaskozetes antarcticus; Antarc*; antarcticus; Mite
• Online Access: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11402/

A fungal pathogen provisionally identified as Neozygites cf. acaridis has recently been isolated from the Antarctic oribatid mite Alaskozetes antarcticus. The identification of the fungus is discussed with reference to recent changes in the taxonomy of Neozygites. The potential role of the fungus in the Antarctic mite populations is considered in relation to the known mite life cycles, and the particular environmental conditions in the Antarctic.