這些螨(man)蟲的(de)形狀(zhuang)像水滴,身上(shang)還(huan)背著小(xiao)小(xiao)的(de)圓形的(de)外殼(ke)。它們(men)(men)生(sheng)活在森林里,靠近地表的(de)地方。它們(men)(men)吃腐爛的(de)植物,如落葉。甲螨(man)是(shi)地球上(shang)最(zui)強(qiang)壯的(de)陸地動(dong)(dong)物。這種(zhong)微(wei)小(xiao)的(de)動(dong)(dong)物生(sheng)活在土(tu)壤中,每(mei)平方米土(tu)壤中就有(you)數十(shi)萬只甲螨(man)。它們(men)(men)能夠承受1180倍于(yu)體重的(de)拉(la)力,相當于(yu)一個(ge)人拉(la)動(dong)(dong)82噸的(de)重物。
分類為蜱螨(man)亞(ya)綱、真螨(man)目(mu)、甲螨(man)亞(ya)目(mu)。分為44個總科,145科,全世界約有(you)5000多種(zhong)。一(yi)般體(ti)型(xing)微小(xiao),體(ti)背具(ju)堅(jian)硬外骨骼,外觀(guan)像(xiang)甲蟲。本(ben)種(zhong)體(ti)長0.9mm,體(ti)背褐色具(ju)微弱光澤,各(ge)腳細長有(you)毛(mao),主要棲息土壤上層或(huo)落葉(xie),以水藻、真菌、地衣等有(you)機質(zhi)為食。
甲螨-披著盔甲的螨類
甲(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)故名(ming)思意,即其體(ti)表堅(jian)硬,尤如(ru)批覆盔甲(jia)(jia)(jia)般,就(jiu)如(ru)同昆蟲中的(de)(de)甲(jia)(jia)(jia)蟲。主要棲(qi)息于(yu)土(tu)中,取(qu)食(shi)(shi)腐(fu)植(zhi)質(zhi),將腐(fu)敗的(de)(de)植(zhi)物(wu)組織(zhi)嚼(jiao)碎并排出(chu)糞粒,增加微生(sheng)物(wu)分解的(de)(de)表面(mian)積,對土(tu)壤之肥力助益極大(da),在森(sen)(sen)林(lin)生(sheng)態系(xi)中扮演很重(zhong)要的(de)(de)角(jiao)色(se),所以又稱為土(tu)螨(man)(man)(man),尤其在溫(wen)帶森(sen)(sen)林(lin)的(de)(de)土(tu)壤中,甲(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)種類個體(ti)重(zhong)量(liang)竟占無嵴椎動(dong)物(wu)總重(zhong)量(liang)的(de)(de)7﹪。但(dan)并非所有(you)的(de)(de)甲(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)都生(sheng)活(huo)于(yu)土(tu)中,以腐(fu)植(zhi)質(zhi)為食(shi)(shi),甲(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)其實(shi)是一群食(shi)(shi)性(xing)(xing)及(ji)棲(qi)所相當繁雜的(de)(de)分類群,甲(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)除土(tu)凄外,尚(shang)有(you)水棲(qi)、樹(shu)棲(qi),食(shi)(shi)性(xing)(xing)包含腐(fu)食(shi)(shi)性(xing)(xing)、寄生(sheng)性(xing)(xing)、植(zhi)食(shi)(shi)性(xing)(xing)、捕食(shi)(shi)性(xing)(xing)或取(qu)食(shi)(shi)真菌(jun)、苔蘚、細菌(jun)及(ji)酵母菌(jun)等。
甲螨(man)除(chu)行二(er)性(xing)(xing)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)外,也可行專產(chan)(chan)雌(ci)(ci)孤(gu)雌(ci)(ci)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)(thelytoky),即雌(ci)(ci)性(xing)(xing)產(chan)(chan)下未受精(jing)的(de)(de)卵,發育(yu)后為雌(ci)(ci)性(xing)(xing)個體。這與環(huan)境(jing)的(de)(de)適應有(you)關(guan),因(yin)為甲螨(man)一般的(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)育(yu)率很低,如此等于可以產(chan)(chan)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)一倍于二(er)性(xing)(xing)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)的(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)率,專產(chan)(chan)雌(ci)(ci)孤(gu)雌(ci)(ci)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)普遍存在于甲螨(man),據統計(ji)約有(you)10﹪的(de)(de)甲螨(man)有(you)此現象(xiang),且大(da)部份(fen)行專產(chan)(chan)雌(ci)(ci)孤(gu)雌(ci)(ci)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖(zhi)的(de)(de)科(ke),都是單性(xing)(xing)種(zhong)類(lei)。
甲螨(man)(man)生活環在卵后(hou)的(de)(de)后(hou)胚(pei)(pei)胎(tai)發(fa)育(yu)期(qi)包(bao)(bao)含有(you)前(qian)幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)期(qi)、幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)期(qi)、前(qian)若螨(man)(man)期(qi)、第二若螨(man)(man)期(qi)、第三若螨(man)(man)期(qi)及(ji)成螨(man)(man)期(qi)共六期(qi)。前(qian)幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)期(qi)是(shi)(shi)靜(jing)止(zhi)不動包(bao)(bao)含于卵內(nei),所(suo)以(yi)好像由卵直接孵(fu)化出幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)期(qi),除前(qian)幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)期(qi)外(wai)的(de)(de)五期(qi)都(dou)是(shi)(shi)正常(chang)活動及(ji)取食。大部份土螨(man)(man)產(chan)出的(de)(de)卵其胚(pei)(pei)胎(tai)都(dou)已(yi)在發(fa)育(yu)期(qi)(卵生),但有(you)些種類卻有(you)子宮發(fa)育(yu)的(de)(de)現(xian)象(xiang)(也(ye)稱為卵發(fa)育(yu)保留(liu)),即卵仍在胚(pei)(pei)胎(tai)發(fa)育(yu)中,繼(ji)續發(fa)育(yu)至前(qian)若幼(you)(you)(you)期(qi)形(xing)成才停(ting)止(zhi)發(fa)育(yu),或者有(you)些種類是(shi)(shi)待幼(you)(you)(you)螨(man)(man)發(fa)育(yu)后(hou)才產(chan)出(產(chan)幼(you)(you)(you)現(xian)象(xiang))。
土螨(man)(man)(man)生(sheng)(sheng)殖方(fang)式(shi)(shi)(shi)與(yu)其分(fen)類(lei)系統(tong)有(you)(you)些相(xiang)(xiang)關(guan)(guan),例(li)(li)如(ru),雖然卵發育(yu)(yu)保留在(zai)(zai)甲(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)中是(shi)雜在(zai)(zai)各分(fen)類(lei)群(qun)中,但(dan)在(zai)(zai)折甲(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)類(lei)(Ptyctina)是(shi)很(hen)普遍(bian)現(xian)象(xiang),其中卷甲(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)總科(ke)(Phthiracaroidea)生(sheng)(sheng)殖方(fang)式(shi)(shi)(shi)是(shi)產(chan)前(qian)幼(you)(you)螨(man)(man)(man),而在(zai)(zai)真卷甲(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)總科(ke)(Euphthiracaroidea)則同時(shi)(shi)有(you)(you)卵生(sheng)(sheng)、前(qian)幼(you)(you)螨(man)(man)(man)生(sheng)(sheng)及幼(you)(you)螨(man)(man)(man)生(sheng)(sheng)三種方(fang)式(shi)(shi)(shi),但(dan)在(zai)(zai)各別(bie)的分(fen)類(lei)群(qun)則有(you)(you)其一致(zhi)的生(sheng)(sheng)殖方(fang)式(shi)(shi)(shi),例(li)(li)如(ru)Oribotritia則全(quan)為前(qian)幼(you)(you)螨(man)(man)(man)生(sheng)(sheng)。在(zai)(zai)有(you)(you)些高分(fen)類(lei)群(qun)中,卵發育(yu)(yu)保留與(yu)其生(sheng)(sheng)物特質有(you)(you)關(guan)(guan),例(li)(li)如(ru),所(suo)有(you)(you)的折甲(jia)(jia)(jia)(jia)螨(man)(man)(man)類(lei),其未(wei)成(cheng)熟(shu)(shu)個體都是(shi)內食(shi)(endophagous),在(zai)(zai)腐木或(huo)植物組織內挖(wa)掘取食(shi),這可(ke)(ke)能與(yu)雌成(cheng)體在(zai)(zai)尋(xun)找高濕(shi)度適合產(chan)子處時(shi)(shi),有(you)(you)較充裕的尋(xun)找時(shi)(shi)間(jian),以(yi)便幼(you)(you)螨(man)(man)(man)可(ke)(ke)以(yi)較容(rong)易穿透出(chu)(chu)組織;此(ci)外,越晚(wan)出(chu)(chu)生(sheng)(sheng)對于未(wei)成(cheng)熟(shu)(shu)個體曝露于捕食(shi)者的時(shi)(shi)間(jian)相(xiang)(xiang)對就(jiu)較少,所(suo)以(yi)很(hen)多(duo)有(you)(you)潛挖(wa)食(shi)性者都有(you)(you)相(xiang)(xiang)似(si)的生(sheng)(sheng)殖方(fang)式(shi)(shi)(shi)。
而(er)(er)在(zai)(zai)水生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)或半水生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)的(de)種(zhong)類Ameronothrus及Trimalaconothrus,其(qi)成螨于(yu)潮(chao)流中(zhong)(zhong)將幼螨產出(chu),可隨潮(chao)流而(er)(er)分散,而(er)(er)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)活于(yu)靜水的(de)Hydrozetes及Limnozetes,則(ze)(ze)為卵(luan)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng);就目(mu)前(qian)情況所(suo)知,幼生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)者皆為水生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)種(zhong)類。在(zai)(zai)非實驗性(xing)的(de)觀察中(zhong)(zhong),發現有些種(zhong)類在(zai)(zai)不(bu)(bu)同(tong)季(ji)節(jie)或不(bu)(bu)同(tong)的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)存(cun)環(huan)境,會有不(bu)(bu)同(tong)的(de)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖方式,例(li)如,Haq等人于(yu)1991年于(yu)印度發現,Scheloribates fijiensis在(zai)(zai)牧場的(de)土(tu)中(zhong)(zhong)行產卵(luan)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖,而(er)(er)在(zai)(zai)耕地(di)(di)或荒地(di)(di)的(de)土(tu)中(zhong)(zhong)則(ze)(ze)行產幼生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)殖,至于(yu)影(ying)響因子為環(huan)境或基因因子則(ze)(ze)不(bu)(bu)知。
此外,卵發育保留與變異體形尺度(allometric scaling)也有關,在樹棲的種類中,行前幼螨生的種類(Camisia及Liodes)個體大于不行卵發育保留的種類(Scapheremaeus),而行前幼螨生的Nothrus及Damaeus個體明顯大于不行產前幼螨種類。有些學者觀察到有些陸生土螨,有活的幼螨留(liu)在(zai)死去的雌成螨(man) 體內,起初(chu)以(yi)為是卵(luan)發(fa)育保留(liu)現象,現今則認為可能是幼螨(man)在(zai)取食雌成螨(man)的尸體,或者(zhe)是有些卵(luan)在(zai)母體死亡(wang)后(hou)依舊可以(yi)繼續發(fa)育至孵化出來(lai)。
甲螨(man)(man)(man)(man)與其(qi)(qi)他螨(man)(man)(man)(man)類(lei)(lei)相比較,具(ju)有(you)較低(di)的(de)(de)生育(yu)率(lv)(lv),在(zai)較小(xiao)個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)Oppiella nova一(yi)(yi)次只產(chan)一(yi)(yi)顆(ke)卵(luan),一(yi)(yi)星期平均(jun)產(chan)12顆(ke)卵(luan),而在(zai)較大(da)個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)的(de)(de)種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)Steganacarus magnus一(yi)(yi)次可分別產(chan)下6個(ge)(ge)直(zhi)(zhi)接發育(yu)為(wei)(wei)前幼螨(man)(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)后代。許(xu)多因子都(dou)(dou)會(hui)影(ying)(ying)響到生育(yu)率(lv)(lv),擁擠會(hui)降低(di)Nothurs palustris,Alaskozetes antarcticus,Achipteria holomonensis, Carabodes willmanni 及Oppia nodosa的(de)(de)生育(yu)率(lv)(lv);食(shi)(shi)物(wu)、營養(yang)及微(wei)氣(qi)候也(ye)都(dou)(dou)是影(ying)(ying)響因子。對于甲螨(man)(man)(man)(man)的(de)(de)遷(qian)(qian)(qian)移行為(wei)(wei)研究并不多,一(yi)(yi)般(ban)認(ren)為(wei)(wei)主(zhu)要發生于成(cheng)螨(man)(man)(man)(man),因為(wei)(wei)成(cheng)螨(man)(man)(man)(man)比未成(cheng)熟個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)躲避捕食(shi)(shi)者(zhe)較為(wei)(wei)有(you)利,此外,未成(cheng)熟個(ge)(ge)體(ti)(ti)大(da)都(dou)(dou)潛(qian)藏于組(zu)織內行內食(shi)(shi)性生活,直(zhi)(zhi)致為(wei)(wei)成(cheng)螨(man)(man)(man)(man)才離開其(qi)(qi)潛(qian)藏的(de)(de)組(zu)織;有(you)些種(zhong)類(lei)(lei)的(de)(de)成(cheng)螨(man)(man)(man)(man)會(hui)攀(pan)附于生活在(zai)腐木(mu)內的(de)(de)昆蟲身上(shang),以達(da)到遷(qian)(qian)(qian)移的(de)(de)目的(de)(de)。遷(qian)(qian)(qian)移不外乎(hu)尋找新食(shi)(shi)物(wu)或找較適合的(de)(de)產(chan)卵(luan)環境(jing),但都(dou)(dou)不會(hui)超過(guo)幾(ji)公分的(de)(de)距離,長距離的(de)(de)遷(qian)(qian)(qian)移可見于Hydrozetes的(de)(de)成(cheng)螨(man)(man)(man)(man),在(zai)其(qi)(qi)腸道(dao)充氣(qi),當(dang)成(cheng)浮筒般(ban)進行長距離遷(qian)(qian)(qian)移。
甲(jia)螨(man)為適(shi)應環境(jing)而有(you)各種(zhong)不同(tong)的(de)生活方式,總言之,甲(jia)螨(man)在現存環境(jing)中(zhong)表現的(de)是慢發(fa)育(yu)、低生育(yu)率(lv)及成螨(man)壽命長等特性(xing),這都歸因于(yu)其(qi)低新陳代謝(xie)率(lv)造成。這些特質與其(qi)同(tong)時棲(qi)息(xi)于(yu)土(tu)中(zhong)的(de)跳(tiao)蟲則(ze)完(wan)全不同(tong),跳(tiao)蟲是發(fa)育(yu)速率(lv)快、食量(liang)大,甲(jia)螨(man)如(ru)何(he)以(yi)其(qi)較慢的(de)發(fa)育(yu)速率(lv)與跳(tiao)蟲同(tong)棲(qi)于(yu)土(tu)中(zhong),而又可在土(tu)中(zhong)環境(jing)占據重(zhong)要(yao)角色,則(ze)是值得深入(ru)研究。
甲螨屬甲螨亞目(或稱(cheng)隱氣(qi)門亞目)目前(qian)全世界約(yue)有(you)(you)七千(qian)多種(zhong),約(yue)出現在泥盆紀(約(yue)三(san)億六千(qian)萬(wan)年至四億六百萬(wan)年前(qian)),經由分類學及生態學上(shang)的(de)(de)研究,推測(ce)今日所謂(wei)的(de)(de)甲螨在演化(hua)上(shang)并(bing)非來(lai)自于單一(yi)最近祖先(xian)。一(yi)般(ban)甲螨的(de)(de)行動緩慢,不(bu)具(ju)眼睛,但有(you)(you)感覺器,體表具(ju)有(you)(you)明(ming)顯突起物,大小約(yue)0.02mm~0.13mm(圖(tu)),其中(zhong)許多種(zhong)類具(ju)有(you)(you)側(ce)(ce)后半體背(bei)板(ban)(Notogaster),可以(yi)保(bao)護軀體(圖(tu)),就像(xiang)二(er)片(pian)大翅膀(bang)般(ban),所以(yi)也稱(cheng)為(wei)翼螨。成(cheng)蜱一(yi)般(ban)具(ju)有(you)(you)不(bu)連(lian)續的(de)(de)氣(qi)管系統,分別為(wei)開(kai)口(kou)于第二(er)、三(san)足(zu)基側(ce)(ce)邊(bian)的(de)(de)導管,及短氣(qi)管開(kai)口(kou)可藉由足(zu)部(bu)的(de)(de)生殖盤(pan)腔(qiang)或經由前(qian)體部(bu)的(de)(de)假氣(qi)門,但一(yi)般(ban)開(kai)口(kou)并(bing)不(bu)明(ming)顯可見,故稱(cheng)為(wei)隱氣(qi)門類。
甲螨雌(ci)(ci)雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性外表(biao)并無(wu)差異(yi),需藉由生殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)器來區別雌(ci)(ci)雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性,雌(ci)(ci)性具有(you)(you)大型、未骨(gu)質化的(de)產卵管,而雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性可由骨(gu)質化的(de)短(duan)型陽莖區別,一(yi)般(ban)生殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)方式(shi)為(wei)(wei)間(jian)接(jie)生殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),即雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性由陽莖將精(jing)苞擠(ji)壓排出,雌(ci)(ci)性再(zai)將精(jing)苞置入生殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)口內受(shou)(shou)精(jing),如果有(you)(you)雌(ci)(ci)性于某(mou)地區活動(dong),則會刺激雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性排出更多的(de)精(jing)苞;有(you)(you)些種類被發現(xian)有(you)(you)雌(ci)(ci)雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性直接(jie)經由生殖(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)器的(de)交合(he)而達(da)到受(shou)(shou)精(jing),在Collohmannia的(de)雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性有(you)(you)求偶儀式(shi),雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性會準備結婚食物(wu)來引誘雌(ci)(ci)性交尾(wei);雌(ci)(ci)雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)二型及(ji)特殊的(de)行(xing)為(wei)(wei)證實交尾(wei)儀式(shi)確實存在,雄(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)性在咐(fu)節(jie)綱毛(mao)的(de)變異(yi)或側后半(ban)體背板具有(you)(you)腺體皆是(shi)性行(xing)為(wei)(wei)的(de)一(yi)種表(biao)現(xian)。