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Plant-mediated aboveground-belowground interactions: the spider mite perspective

Hoffmann, D. and Schausberger, P.


2012 - Volume: 52 Issue: 1 pages: 17-27

https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20122040

Keywords

Pathogen symbiont rhizosphere Tetranychus urticae predator plant response mycorrhiza Phytoseiulus persimilis

Abstract

Research on aboveground-belowground interactions has recently experienced a boost. In spite of the relative prosperity of scientific literature featuring aboveground herbivorous arthropods involved in aboveground-belowground interactions, mites have so far been under-represented. To stimulate work with mites in this area, we summarize existing research on plant-mediated interactions of aboveground herbivorous mites and belowground plant-associated organisms. A literature search revealed 17 studies dealing with plant-inhabiting mites, all of which involve the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae. We categorize the studies according to the belowground biota associated with the mite's host plants, summarize the observed effects of the belowground organisms on the aboveground mites and discuss possible interaction mechanisms. The paucity of existing studies does not yet allow one to draw general conclusions but it is apparent that these aboveground-belowground interactions are strongly context-dependent and vary among plant species and species of belowground biota. In conclusion, we argue that the wealth of knowledge on the behavior, ecology, physiology, and genetic make-up of T. urticae and its natural enemies, and ability to easily rear and perform experimental studies on this species at various spatial scales and organizational levels, make these plant-inhabiting mites perfectly-suited model organisms for future research on aboveground-belowground interactions.

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Article editorial history
Date received:
2011-12-21
Date accepted:
2012-02-28
Date published:
2012-03-30

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
2012 Hoffmann, D. and Schausberger, P.
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