Home > Iowa Academy of Science > Journals & Newsletters > Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science > Volume 66 (1959) > Annual Issue
Document Type
Research
Abstract
An investigation was made of some of the environmental factors which are most important in determining the distribution of Acarina in caves. Because of the relative stability of the environment, Bogus Cave, Jones County, Iowa, was selected for the study. A moistened camel's hair brush, an aspirator, and the flotation method were used to collect specimens. Three families of mites (Eupodidae, Ascaidae, and Belbidae) were found; none were troglobites. The data indicate that the mites in Bogus Cave are limited to areas of constant humidity and temperature, a good organic soil cover, relatively small soil particles (100μ to 150μ), and a minimum temperature above 42° F. In addition, it appears that the populations are mutually exclusive, and that one species cannot readily invade the territory already occupied by another species.
Publication Date
1959
Journal Title
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science
Volume
66
Issue
1
First Page
477
Last Page
483
Copyright
©1959 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Irvin, Michael T.
(1959)
"Notes on the Mites of an Iowa Cave,"
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 66(1), 477-483.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol66/iss1/66