Oribatid mite under foldscope-#Indiafoldscopephase 1

Aug 23, 2018 • 4:17 AM UTC

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Microorganisms

Soumitra

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We were planned to observe mold mycelia and spores which infested the stored jackfruit seeds. But while observing the mold under foldscope, suddenly we found a moving creature then we focused on that, it was Mite!.

Mites are very small arthropods and has four pairs of segmented legs. There is a diverse group of at least 30,000 species of mites. Most species of mites are tiny creatures that live in organic debris of forests and grasslands where they feed on dead organic matter, fungal spores and hyphae, and plant matter.
The mite we found may be feed on fungal spores and hyphae and they are called oribatid mites. Oribatid mites(size from 0.2 to 1.4 millimeters (0.008 to 0.055 in)play a very big role in breaking down organic matter from leaves and other vegetation which enriches the top soil.