RESPIRATORY RESPONSES OF ORIBATID MITES TO TEMPERATURE-CHANGES

The present paper presents results on the metabolic activity of adults of three oribatid species (Scheloribates cf. latipes, Pilogalumna all ifera and Achipteria oudemansi), inhabiting the upper soil layers of a mediterranean pasture land, covered by evergreen-sclerophyllous shrub s. Oxygen consumption was recorded at six temperatures for three subse quent days to determine the respiration rate-temperature relationship and to describe the acclimation process to constant temperature condit ions. The response of the animals to temperature changes was also dete rmined. Low respiration rates and Q(10) values, a relative thermal ind ependence at temperature extremes and an acute response to temperature increase are the main metabolic characteristics of the animals. These results are discussed in relation to the life cycle characteristics o f the species in the field.