Identifying macrochelid mites of Tampa Bay and determining their relationship with Drosophila spp. hosts using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

In nature, many organisms develop symbiotic relationships, such as mutualism, and parasitism, with other organisms. Mite species are commonly involved in symbioses but are understudied, likely due to their small size. Macrocheles spp. mites attach to flies for transportation. However, whether the mites damage the fly while attached is unknown. The purpose of this research was to culture and identify Macrochelid mites in Tampa Bay and find evidence for whether they are harming fly hosts using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mites were collected from the wild and four populations were generated in the Durkin Lab. Mites from two of the populations were exposed to fly hosts. Those that attached were used for SEM imaging. Through trial and error, I determined the best SEM protocol for imaging using a Jeol JSM-6010 LA analytical SEM. While imaging, we found that fly and mite appendages were obstructing the view of the mite’s mouthparts. Thus, whether Macrocheles spp. mites damage fly hosts remains unknown. We plan to continue modifying SEM protocols for better images and try other methods, such as bio-staining fly hosts, to determine the exact nature of the relationship between these mites and fly hosts.