acarology

Acarology is the scientific study of mites and ticks, aquatic and terrestrial arthropods in the subclass Acari within the class Arachnida. The field covers taxonomy, morphology, life cycles, physiology, genetics, ecology, and behavior of these diverse organisms. Mites and ticks inhabit nearly every habitat and range from microscopic to visible species, functioning as decomposers, predators, parasites, and, in many cases, vectors of diseases.

Acarology developed within arachnology, with formal taxonomic and ecological work expanding in the 19th and 20th centuries; today it integrates molecular tools such as DNA sequencing and genomic data to refine phylogenetic relationships and identify species.

Mites (Acari) include plant mites, soil mites, and parasitic forms; ticks are important vectors of pathogens. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) and soft ticks (Argasidae) transmit diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and other infections; the mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes scabies in humans and animals. The diversity of mites also encompasses many beneficial forms involved in soil processes and plant interactions, as well as pests that impact agriculture and stored products.

Research methods combine field sampling, extraction techniques such as Berlese-Tullgren funnels, microscopy (light and electron), and molecular approaches like DNA barcoding and genomics. Laboratory culture, life-history studies, and ecological investigations complement field work to understand host associations, environmental dependencies, and the roles of Acari in ecosystems.

The field has medical, veterinary, agricultural, and ecological significance. Notable journals include Acarologia and Experimental & Applied Acarology, and professional societies support research and education in acarology.