Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata) diversity and population dynamics in garlic (Allium sativum) crop fields.

Agroecosystems are altered systems whose soil structure has changed affecting the dynamics of soil organisms. This paper aims at evaluation of the effects of garlic farming practices on phenology, richness, abundance, composition and diversity of soil-dwelling Cunaxidae. Ten pilot plots in Guanajuato State were sampled from August 2002 to July 2005, every month, 8 months per year. Ten soil samples (1 kg) were taken from each plot and extracted in Berlese-Tullgren funnels. A total of 108 cunaxids were found, belonging to 11 species. Neocunaxoides andrei was the most abundant, and Cunaxa evansi and Armascirus sp. were least abundant. Relative abundance was highest after harvesting and during plant growth, and lowest during planting. Dactyloscirus nicobarensis and D. candylus were present from planting to harvesting. According to Sörensen's similarity coefficient between cultivation stages, Cunaxidae communities were similar during plant growth and harvesting, sharing 80 % of the species. The highest abundance and diversity were found in 2004, during and after harvesting. Cunaxid species increased over 100 % from planting to the harvesting phase, suggesting that they play an important role in the soil agrosystems food web. Species composition and diversity in cunaxid communities present in garlic crop fields varied with agricultural phase, but little change was observed among the years studied. All species found in this study are new records for the state of Guanajuato and for the garlic crop fields.

[Status of the knowledge of the Cynipini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Mexico: perspectives for future studies]. / Estado del conocimiento de los Cynipini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) en México: perspectivas de estudio.

The knowledge status of the gall-former cynipids in the Mexican oaks is commented herein. For each of the 157 cited species from 33 oak species, the most important biological and ecological information is included. Andricus championi (Cameron), a species described only from the gall, is considered as 'incertae sedis'. Andricus tumeralis Pujade-Villar nom. nov. is proposed to denominate the species Andricus ashmeadi Dalla Torre & Kieffer for being a homonymy of Andricus ashmeadi Basset. Atrusca dugesi (Mayr) n. comb. (formery in Cynips) and Antron sagata (Kinsey) n. comb. (formery in Sphaeroteras) are proposed. The reasons of these changes are commented as well as the need for further studies on Mexican cynipids.

Estado del conocimiento de los Cynipini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) en México: perspectivas de estudio / Status of the knowledge of the Cynipini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) in Mexico: perspectives for future studies

The knowledge status of the gall-former cynipids in the Mexican oaks is commented herein. For each of the 157 cited species from 33 oak species, the most important biological and ecological information is included. Andricus championi (Cameron), a species described only from the gall, is considered as 'incertae sedis'. Andricus tumeralis Pujade-Villar nom. nov. is proposed to denominate the species Andricus ashmeadi Dalla Torre & Kieffer for being a homonymy of Andricus ashmeadi Basset. Atrusca dugesi (Mayr) n. comb. (formery in Cynips) and Antron sagata (Kinsey) n. comb. (formery in Sphaeroteras) are proposed. The reasons of these changes are commented as well as the need for further studies on Mexican cynipids.

Se comenta cual es el estado del conocimiento de los cinípidos que producen agallas en los encinos mexicanos. Para cada una de las 157 especies citadas en 33 especies de encinos, se mencionan los aspectos biológicos y ecológicos más importantes. Se considera a Andricus championi (Cameron), especie descrita solamente a partir de la agalla, como 'incertae sedis'. Se propone Andricus tumeralis Pujade-Villar nom. nov. para denominar a la especie Andricus ashmeadi Dalla Torre & Kieffer por ser homonimia de Andricus ashmeadi Basset. Se propone Atrusca dugesi (Mayr) n. comb., (antes incluida en el género Cynips) y Antron sagata (Kinsey) n. comb., (antes incluida en el género Sphaeroteras). Se exponen las razones de estos cambios taxonómicos y se señala lo mucho que queda por hacer en el estudio de los Cynipidae mexicanos.