Search Results (39)

The raccoon, Procyon lotor, is an alien species in Europe, where it is considered invasive and poses significant environmental and sanitary risks: it can increase the host reservoir by both introducing new parasites to the region and acquiring native ones. One permanent component of the mammalian parasitofauna is the Demodecidae, highly specific skin mites that often accompany their hosts in various regions of their range. To date, unidentified Demodex species have been found in raccoons within their native range. It has now become important to determine whether raccoons from invasive populations retain their specific parasites during range expansion and potentially spread them or whether they become colonized by other demodecid mites acquired from European mammals. The present analyses of three raccoons identified Demodex procyonis sp. nov. in the skin. This species is distinct from demodecid mites known from other mammals (including European species) but shows similarities in structure and location to mites found on raccoons in the United States. It is therefore likely to be a raccoon-specific species of Demodecidae and the first representative of this mite family described from the family Procyonidae. Full article

Acneiform eruptions are a common adverse effect of lithium treatment that may impact adherence. It is not clear why lithium may worsen these lesions and treatment has focused on traditional treatments for acne. Demodex mites are known to commensurably exist in a large fraction of humans and are known to cause dermatologic conditions in a minority of individuals. An association with acneiform eruptions is well documented but is generally believed to not be causative. We present a hypothesis that lithium treatment may alter the environment of Demodex mites in a fashion that may increase their propensity to cause disease. If that is accurate, treatment with acaricidal agents may be an additional option. Full article

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) are highly specialised avian ectoparasites that inhabit feather quills. Despite their widespread occurrence, their diversity, distribution, and host associations remain poorly understood. This study examined the diversity and ecological interactions of syringophilid mites parasitising Euphoninae hosts. We analysed 298 dry bird skins representing 25 species deposited in the Bavarian State Collection for Zoology in Munich, Germany. Quill mite infestations were detected in 15 host species, identifying 4 mite species, including 2 newly described taxa: Aulonastus neotropicalis sp. n. and Syringophilopsis euphonicus sp. n. Infestation prevalence ranged from 2% to 25%. Quill mite–host interactions exhibited high specialisation and niche differentiation, with no co-occurring species sharing the same microhabitat. Network analysis indicated moderate connectance (0.35) and significant host specificity (H2′ = 0.77, p = 0.007). Biogeographic history suggests that divergence from Carduelinae and subsequent evolutionary events shaped syringophilid diversity in Euphoninae. These findings underscore the importance of museum collections in uncovering cryptic parasite diversity and provide new insights into host–parasite co-evolutionary dynamics. Full article

The Banks grass mite/New World date mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), is a globally distributed and economically significant agricultural pest. The present study comprehensively addresses the morphotaxonomic identification of globally reported populations of O. pratensis, to resolve ambiguities within the pratensis complex. Detailed morphological characterizations of all mobile stages (larva, protonymph, deutonymph, male, and female) of the Californian population of O. pratensis were provided, with key diagnostic traits utilized in this taxonomic assessment. The taxonomic notes are provided for worldwide populations of O. pratensis reported from six biogeographic realms. The taxonomic identity of the claimed populations of O. pratensis from South Africa (Afrotropical realm), El Salvador (Neotropical realm), China, Pakistan (Oriental realm), and Saudi Arabia (Palearctic realm) were found to either be “doubtful” or exhibit notable differences compared to the Californian population. Notably, the purported Chinese population of O. pratensis was identified as a cryptic species, likely a novel taxon within the gossypii species subgroup. Furthermore, the study confirmed the absence of O. pratensis in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, ontogenetic changes across developmental stages are documented. The findings of this study may contribute to a clearer understanding of the true distribution and global occurrence of O. pratensis, providing robust diagnostic characteristics to support future research. Full article

Syringophilidae is one of the most species-rich families in the superfamily Cheyletoidea, comprising approximately 420 species across 62 genera and two subfamilies. In this paper, we propose a new genus, Corvisyringophilus, and a new species, C. krummi gen. n. et sp. n., found in the wing covert quills of the Common Raven, Corvus corax Linnaeus, in Iceland. Corvisyringophilus is placed among the primitive genera of syringophilid mites, which possess the full complement of idiosomal and leg setae. Phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters suggests that this genus forms a sister clade to Blaszakia Skoracki & Sikora, 2008, and Charadriphilus Bochkov & Mironov, 1998, which inhabit birds of the orders Musophagiformes and Charadriiformes, respectively. The study proposes that the current distribution patterns of quill mites, based on their morphological characteristics, may result from multiple host switching followed by co-speciation events, highlighting the complex evolutionary dynamics within this family. Full article

Mites from the Demodecidae and Psorergatidae can optimally use mammalian hosts by inhabiting a number of different microhabitats in their skin. Hence, in individual hosts, several species of parasites from these groups have been described in different microhabitats. There are few data on their co-occurrence either at the host species level or at the host individual level. Most research has addressed the co-occurrence of Demodecidae in carnivorans, ungulates, soricomorphs, and rodents, while the co-occurrence of both families was found in bats. The present study examines the possibility of their co-occurrence in a Eurasian rodent—Apodemus flavicollis. It is a suitable model for such analyses, because representatives of both families have been demonstrated here so far, and our findings extend the list of specific Demodecidae in A. flavicollis with two new species: Demodex tenuis sp. nov. from the lip region and D. mediocris sp. nov. from the chin region. The study also includes the first record of Psorergates muricola in this host, which occurred in the genital–anal region. Therefore, the findings confirm the possibility that different Demodecidae and Psorergatidae species can co-occur in the same host in different body regions. This paper also includes a checklist of Demodecidae and Psorergatidae in rodents around the world. Full article

The Sphagnum habitat is a ”miniature forest” to the mites, of which the layers offer different microenvironmental conditions. We studied the vertical distribution of the Oribatida, Mesostigmata, and Prostigmata groups in four layers (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm, and 15–20 cm) of a forest bog on Neshalvøya, Norway, to improve the knowledge of the ecology of these mites. The sampled bog was grazed by farm animals; thus, another aim was to investigate the vertical distribution of the oribatid species, which are intermediate hosts of tapeworms. The selected study site is known for its valuable yet increasingly endangered nature, so our aim was also to contribute to the knowledge on its diversity. We collected Sphagnum samples in four replicates and extracted them in the laboratory in modified Berlese funnels. In total, 16.880 mites were studied, including 16.384 Oribatida, 466 Mesostigmata, and 30 Prostigmata. The total abundance of mites, the Oribatida and Mesostigmata groups, was the highest in the upper layer of Sphagnum and decreased with depth, while the abundance of the Prostigmata did not follow any pattern. Among the Oribatida, at deeper layers, significant declines in abundance were observed in adults, but not in juveniles. Most oribatid species, e.g., Nothrus pratensis, preferred the upper layer of Sphagnum, whereas some preferred deeper layers. For example, Suctobelbella acutidens and Carabodes femoralis preferred the 5–10 cm layer, Quadroppia maritalis the 10–15 cm layer, and Ceratozetes gracilis and Eulohmannia ribagai preferred the deepest layer of Sphagnum. Adults and juveniles of the same species showed a preference for the same layer. In total, 62 species of the Oribatida were recorded, including 11 species that are known to be intermediate hosts of tapeworms. Most of them occurred in the upper layer of Sphagnum. Over 20% of the species were found exclusively in deeper layers, so sampling these layers is important for a better evaluation of the mites’ diversity. Studying the vertical distribution of the mites in bogs helps us to understand their ecology, including their role as intermediate hosts of tapeworms, as well as their diversity. Full article

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) parasitizing starlings of the genus Lamprotornis Temminck (Aves: Passeriformes: Sturnidae) from the sub-Saharan region are comprehensively studied for the first time. Among them, two new species are described: (1) Syringophiloidus soponai Skoracki, Patan and Unsoeld sp. n., collected from four host species—Lamprotornis chalybaeus (Hemprich et Ehrenberg) (type host) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia; L. superbus (Rüppell) in Kenya and Tanzania; L. chloropterus (Swainson) and L. unicolor (Shelley) both in Tanzania; (2) Syringophilopsis parasturni Skoracki, Patan and Unsoeld sp. n. collected from L. pulcher (Müller) and L. chalcurus (Nordmann), both in Senegal. Additionally, two Lamprotornis species, L. chalybaeus in Tanzania and Kenya and L. chloropterus in Kenya, are recorded as the new hosts for Picobia lamprotornis Klimovicova et al., 2004. We also discussed the diversity of the syringophilid mites associated with starlings. Full article

Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are poorly explored bird parasites. Syringophiloidus Kethley, 1970, is the most specious and widespread genus in this family. It is believed to contain mono-, steno- and poly-xenous parasites and thus seems to be an exemplary for studies on biodiversity and host associations. In this work, we applied the DNA barcode marker (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment, COI) to analyze the species composition and host specificity of representatives of fifteen Syringophiloidus populations parasitizing fifteen bird species. The neighbor joining analyses distinguished thirteen monophyletic lineages, almost completely corresponding to seven previously known species recognized based on morphological features, and six new-to-science species. The only exception is S. amazilia Skoracki, 2017, which is most likely conspecific with Syringophiloidus stawarczyki Skoracki, 2004. The intraspecific distances of all species were not higher than 0.9%, whilst the interspecific diversity ranged from 5.9% to 19.2% and 6.3–22.4%, inferred as the distances p and K2P, respectively. Although all putative species (except S. amazilia) are highly supported, the relationships between them have not been fully resolved and only faintly indicate that both host phylogeny and distributions influence the phylogenetic structure of quill mite taxa. Full article

The family Teneriffiidae Thor has an equivocal and patchy generic history due to a lack of proper diagnostic character/s, causing the addition of an over-sufficient number of genera (i.e., nine) for the 28 described species. The present study aimed to resolve those taxonomic uncertainties related to generic divisions and species assignments by thoroughly reviewing all the published literature of the family, identifying key diagnostic character/s for generic divisions while debating on previously used morphological features. In the present research, only two genera, Teneriffia Thor and Parateneriffia Thor, are considered valid genera in the family Teneriffiidae, based on the absence and presence of palpgenu oncophysis, respectively. The previously used other generic diagnostic characters such as coxal setal formula, pectination strength of leg claws, absence or presence of genital papillae, genital discs, and pedal solenidion have been argued for their inconsistencies. A total of four species were synonymized with the closely related species, while additional notes for six poorly described species are given. Moreover, the key to the genera and species of the family Teneriffiidae is provided. Full article

The present study evaluated the host plant effect on life type characteristics of three important spider mite pest species, Tetranychus urticae Koch, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), and E. palmatus Attiah (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), based on both field and laboratory observations. The polyphagous species, T. urticae with complicated web (CW-u) life type, occupying unstable habitats, showed variations in the sites for quiescence (SQ), sites for oviposition (SO), sites for defecation (SD), and webbing density (WD) on different annual/perennial host plants. The SQ, SO, and SD of T. urticae were observed either on the leaf, web threads, or trichomes. Tetranychus urticae constructed the lowest WD on tomato plants and the highest WD on maize/mulberry plants. Two spider mite species of the genus Eutetranychus Banks, the polyphagous E. orientalis and the oligophagous E. palmatus, inhabit stable host plants, depicted in the little web (LW-j) life types with persistency in all characteristics on different plants. It is concluded that polyphagous spider mites have restricted their life types, showing their high adaptability to utilize the resources of different host plants for survival with slight variation in some important life type characteristics. Full article

Four new species groups of the Tenuipalpus sensu lato group are proposed in the present study based on the total number of dorsal opisthosomal setae, namely, carolinensis with ten pairs of setae (214 species), dubinini with nine pairs of setae (33 species), granati with eight pairs of setae (29 species), and barticanus with seven pairs of setae (7 species) Additionally, diagnostic keys to species groups and 273 species of the Tenuipalpus sensu lato are provided. Three species, T. lustrabilis Chaudhri, T. guptai Sadana and Gupta, and T. solanensis Sadana and Gupta, are synonymized with T. punicae Pritchard and Baker. One species, T. rodionovi Chalilova, is suggested as a junior synonym of T. granati Sayed, and eight species, T. chiococcae De Leon, T. costarricensis Salas and Ochoa, T. ephedrae Livschitz and Mitrofanov, T. molinai Evans, T. santae Manson, T. simplychus Cromroy, T. tetrazygiae De Leon, and T. oxalis (Flechtmann), belonging to the carolinensis species group, are not included in the key. Furthermore, a new species of Tenuipalpus sensu lato, T. jazanensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females collected from the Chamaerops spp. (Arecaceae). Full article

The quill mite fauna of the Syringophilidae family (Acariformes: Prostigmata), which is associated with palaeognathous birds of the Tinamiformes order, remains poorly studied. Thus far, only two species of syringophilid mites have been documented on four species of tinamous. In this study, we present a description of a new species, Tinamiphilopsis temmincki sp. n., which was found on the Tataupa Tinamou (Crypturellus tataupa) in South America. This newly identified species differs from others in the genus due to the short hysteronotal setae d2 in females, unlike the long setae d2 found in females of other Tinamiphilopsis species. In addition to describing the new species, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the primitive syringophilid genera. The results reveal that the Tinamiphilopsis genus does not emerge as a sister group to all other syringophilids. Instead, it is deeply embedded within the radiation of quill mites associated with neognathous birds. This study provided evidence that mites belonging to the genus Tinamiphilopsis initially parasitised Neoavian birds before host switching to tinamous birds. This placement carries significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of quill mites and their relationship with their avian hosts. Full article

A greater understanding of mite biodiversity and ecology can explain their preference for microhabitats within host bodies, i.e., as ecto-, meso-, and endoparasites. Similarly, learning about the patterns formed by mite communities in wild animals can shed light on the mechanisms of parasitosis development in their domesticated counterparts. Hence, the present study examined the acarofauna of the mouflon, introduced to Poland in the early 20th century from a region of endemic occurrence. Forty-one individuals were examined for the presence of ectoparasites between 2010 and 2013; later, skin fragments were analysed for the presence of skin mites. A new species of Demodecidae, Demodex musimonis sp. nov., was discovered in the skin of the pasterns of 14.6% mouflons, as well as the ectoparasitic tick Ixodes ricinus (prevalence 29.3%) and ungulate-typical fly Lipoptena cervi (34.1%). However, no mites typical for ovine Ovis (Psorergatidae, Psoroptidae) were noted, nor any colonisation of microhabitats by species from local ungulates, resulting from the loss of original parasites during the introduction. A comparison of the acarofauna of the mouflon and domestic sheep Ovis aries aries suggests that a mite community with a complex structure and the co-occurrence of different families may be formed. However, it is not known whether the acarofauna of domestic sheep is derived from wild ancestors or the process of domestication. Even so, the peculiar Demodecidae must have been part of the natural parasitofauna of wild sheep, of which only D. musimonis sp. nov. has been recognised so far. Full article