Beyond phoresy: ecological patterns, effects of host attributes, and temporal variation in mites associated with...

Phoresy, a common dispersal strategy among arthropods, involves complex relationships between hosts and symbionts that influence ecological dynamics. Investigating the structure of phoretic mite communities and their population fluctuations is particularly relevant for widely distributed agricultural pests, such as the coconut palm weevil, Rhynchophorus palmarum. This study investigated the community of phoretic mites associated with R. palmarum in its native Neotropical range, aiming to characterize population patterns, evaluate the influence of host attributes, and analyze interspecific dynamics. A total of 14 mite taxa were recorded, all exhibiting high prevalence and strong aggregation. The mite Centrouropoda cf. brasiliana stood out as the dominant species, with individual loads exceeding 2,800 mites per beetle. Although host sex and body size did not affect total phoretic load, body size selectively influenced the abundance of certain taxa (Lasioseius sp., Macrocheles mammifer, Gamasina sp. 1, and Crenamargo binuseta). The temporal variation of C. cf. brasiliana were negatively modulated by C. binuseta and Rhynchopolipus rhynchophori, suggesting mechanisms of competitive exclusion or microhabitat partitioning. These findings highlight a complex community in which biotic interactions play a central role in structuring the phoretic acarifauna of R. palmarum, emphasizing the need for further investigations into the functional effects of these relationships.