Assessment of the Phylogenetic Affiliation Levels of Water Mite (Acari, Hydrachnidia) Species with the Elemental Analysis Method

Abstract

10 different species of water mites which are Georgella helvetica, Eylais extendens, Hydrachna glo-bose, Hydrachna prosifera, Hydrachna skorikowi, Hydrodroma despiciens, Hydryphantes dispar, Limnesia fulgida, Eylais setosa, Hydryphantes flexuosus were used in this study. The total masses of these species were measured as mg with the use of an elemental analyzer to calculate the percen-tage of the organic components of their structures. The achieved values were assessed separately for each species and element with the interpolation method. Out of these organic elements, the amount of C with an approximately value of 50% was the highest for all species while the amounts of S which was approximately 1% was determined as the lowest for almost all species. The ob-served values were discussed in terms of the systematic of water mites.