Course in Acarology

Timetable

10 h lectures (5x2h),10 h laboratory (5x2h)

Module aim (aims)

The course is a brief survey on biology and ecology of the chosen groups of mites. The course includes practical training of collecting, extracting and identification of mites.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge on invertebrates and ability to work with microscope and stereo microscope.

Syllabus

Lectures:

Lecture 1           General characteristic, morphology and anatomy of mites.

Lecture 2           Systematic of mites

Lecture 3           Selected aspects of ecology and biology of mites.

Lecture 4           Habits and habitats

Lecture 5          Diversity, biology and ecology of phytophagous mites

Evaluation:        Test

 

Labolatories:

Lab. 1               Morphology, ecology of selected groups of mites and methodology of acarological studies (with observation of microscope slides) (2h)

Lab. 2               Practice in collection and extraction of soil mites (field trip and collection of samples from different habitats around the campus; animals extraction in Tullgren funnels) (2h) 

Lab. 3               Practical trainings in identification of mites (2h) 

Lab. 4               Practical trainings in identification of mites and results presentation (2h)

Lab. 5               Phytophagous mites - ecology and identification (2h)

Evaluation: Project

Student self-work: project preparation, reading literature (5h)

 

 

 

Reading list

W. Krantz and D. E. Walter (eds): A manual of acarology (with contributions by V. Belan-Pelletier, D. R. Cook, M. S. Harvey, J. E. Keirans, E. E. Lindquist, R. A. Norton, B. M. OConnor and I. M. Smith), 3rd edn Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock, TX, USA, 2009, VIII + 807 pp