Search

Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the economically and ecologically most important blood-sucking arthropod vectors that can transmit disease agents under temperate climate. In this group, the highest number of species (currently nearing 270) belongs to the genus Ixodes. For this review, more than 400 papers related to this genus in the context of Russia were checked for data on the host records, locations of collection, as well as ecology of assigned tick species. This monograph compensates for the lack of a similarly comprehensive English-language overview of Ixodes species in the region of Russia for nearly half century, and also makes a large set of data easily available for international readers, which is especially important if the original source is difficult to access from outside this country. In addition, the data from a significant number of papers on this topic available only in the Russian language are made accessible through this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study provides detailed information on six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings and records new host and locality data. Additionally, three new species are described: Aulonastus indonesianus sp. n., Aulonastus anais sp. n., and Syringophiloidus poeopterus sp. n., from various starling hosts across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Tanzania. The study reveals that species from the genera Syringophiloidus and Syringophilopsis exhibit a broad host range among passerine birds, suggesting a long-established symbiotic relationship before the global dispersal of starlings. In Europe, the Eurasian Starling hosts Krantziaulonastus, while in Africa, related niches are occupied by Picobiinae mites. The research highlights the intricate coevolutionary dynamics between quill mites and their avian hosts. Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae are widely distributed parasites of birds inhabiting the interior of feather quills. In this paper, we provide detailed information on the host spectrum and distribution for six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings with new host and locality records. Additionally, we describe three new species: Aulonastus indonesianus Marcisova, Skoracki, and Patan sp. n. from the Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Linnaeus in Indonesia (Java) and the White-necked Myna Streptocitta albicollis (Vieillot) in Indonesia (Celebes); Aulonastus anais Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Golden Myna Mino anais (Lesson) in Papua New Guinea; and Syringophiloidus poeopterus Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Abbott's Starling Poeoptera femoralis (Richmond) in Tanzania. Finally, we explore the host–parasite interactions within the system comprising starlings and syringophiline mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil-dwelling organisms populate the spaces--referred to as interstices--between the litter on the soil surface and the pores in the soil's organo-mineral matrix. These organisms have pivotal roles in soil ecosystem functions, such as the breakdown and decomposition of organic matter, the dispersal of bacterial and fungal spores and biological habitat transformation. These functions, in turn, contribute to broader ecosystem services like carbon and nutrient cycling, soil organic matter regulation and both chemical and physical soil fertility. This study provides morphological data pertaining to a range of soil organism sizes, specifically in Argiudol soils subjected to varying levels of agricultural activity in the Rolling Pampas Region, one of the world's most extensive and fertile plains. The primary focus is on soil microarthropods--namely, Acari (mites) and Collembola (springtails)--with a body width of less than 2 mm. These organisms constitute the majority of life in the intricate soil pore network. Additionally, the study documents species of earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitelata), recognised as ecosystem engineers for their ability to create physical channels in the soil matrix and to distribute organic matter. Moreover, the study includes measurements of morphological traits of soil-dwelling "macrofauna" (organisms with a body width greater than 2 mm), which are also implicated in various soil ecosystem functions. These include population regulation by apex predators, organic matter decomposition, biogenic structure formation, nutrient mobilisation and herbivory. New information:In this paper, we report both the geographical locations and individual measurements of key morphological traits for over 7,000 specimens, covering a range of soil-dwelling organisms. These include springtails (Entognatha, Collembola), mites (Arachnida, Acari), earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitellata) and additional soil macrofauna. All specimens were collected from typical Argiudol soils located in three distinct agricultural systems characterised by varying levels of land-use intensity. To our knowledge, no other dataset exists providing this information for the Argentinian Pampas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iolinid mite Coccalicus clavatus Willmann, 1952 was collected during a survey from the soil of Gilanegharb, Kermanshah, Iran in 2022. This species was first described in the family Alycidae by Willmann in 1952 and then André and Uusitalo transferred it to the family Iolinidae in 2006, accompanied by transferring species from the genus Paratydaeolus to the genus Coccalicus. Some challenges about species characters of this mite are discussed in this paper and the synonymy of C. lukoschusi and C. clavatus is proposed. The genus consists of 12 species with clavate trichobothria, and is related to various habitats like soil, stored products, under barks, on leaves of different plants, and on birds. They have been reported from Europe, Antarctica and North America and this is the first record of the Coccalicus mites from Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a group of ectoparasites, chiggers (larvae of chigger mites) are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease). Rodents are the most important hosts of chiggers. The Anderson's niviventer rat, Niviventer andersoni, is an endemic species of rodent in China. However, few studies have involved this endemic rodent species and its ectoparasites including chiggers. According to the field investigation in five provincial regions of southwest China between 2001 and 2019, this paper retrospectively analysed the infestation and distribution of chiggers on the body surface of N. andersoni in southwest China for the first time. From 77 Anderson's niviventer rats captured, a total of 527 chiggers were collected and they were identified as 39 species and nine genera in two subfamilies of family Trombiculidae. Of 39 chigger species identified, Leptotrombidium deliense and L. scutellare are the most important vectors of scrub typhus in China. The overall infestation indexes were PM = 29.87%, MA = 6.84 and MI = 22.91, and the indexes of chigger mite community were Mf = 39, H' = 2.60, E = 0.71 and D = 0.12. The dominant chigger species are L. wenense, L. xiaguanense and L. fujianense with a total Cr = 51.04%, among which L. wenense is one of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China. The dominant chigger species are of aggregated distribution among different individuals of the rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We report on the occurrence of parasitic quill mites of the family Syringophilidae on the well-known avian group birds-of-paradise. Our investigation resulted in the discovery of two new species of mites belonging to the subfamily Picobiinae, which has never before been recorded on birds-of-paradise. We hypothesise that the interspecific sexual behaviour of paradisaeids, which involves copulation with non-closely related host species, may have facilitated the spread of syringophilid mites between different and unrelated host species. These findings highlight the potential role of sexual behaviour in the distribution and transmission of parasitic quill mites among avian hosts. While birds-of-paradise (Passeriformes: Paradisaeidae) are a well-known group of birds, our understanding of their parasites is still limited. This study reports on parasitic quill mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), which have never before been recorded on this group of birds. The mite specimens presented in this paper were collected from birds-of-paradise that had been captured in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia in the years 1910–1911 and are now deposited in the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany. Two syringophilid species are described as new to science: (i) Picobia frankei sp. n. from the magnificent riflebird Lophorina magnifica, the glossy-mantled manucode Manucodia ater, and the crinkle-collared manucode Manucodia chalybatus, and (ii) Gunabopicobia garylarsoni sp. n. from the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus and the lesser bird-of-paradise Paradisaea minor. We hypothesise that the presence of both picobiine species on phylogenetically unrelated paradisaeids may be caused by the sexual behaviour of these birds, where interspecific copulations may play a role in the switching of parasites between non-closely related host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Trigonuropoda (Latipilitrigon) foliata sp. n. was recorded in material collected from soil and leaf-litter in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park in Vietnam. This paper presents an illustrated description of the female and male of this species along with comparisons with closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In addition to causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are also the vector or potential vector of some zoonotic diseases. Located in the northwest Yunnan Province of southwest China, the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world. Based on the previous field survey in the Three Parallel Rivers Area from 2001 to 2015, this paper reports the species diversity and basic community characteristics of gamasid mites on small mammals in this unique geographical area for the first time. From the body surface of 3830 small mammal hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species diversity. The species diversity of the gamasid mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model, and the total number of gamasid mite species in the Three Parallel Rivers Area was estimated to be 153 species. (1) Background: Gamasid mites are a large group of arthropods, and some of them are of medical importance. Besides directly biting humans and causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are the vector of rickettsialpox and potential vector of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world, with complicated topographic landforms, different types of vegetation, special elevation gradients and high biodiversity. (2) Methods: Species richness (S): the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H), Simpson dominance index (D) and Pielou evenness index (E) were used to analyze the basic community structure. The β diversity (Cody index) was used to reflect the diversity difference between any two adjacent elevation gradients. The method based on Preston's lognormal model for species abundance distribution was used to estimate the total number of gamasid mite species. (3) Results: A total of 3830 small mammal hosts captured from the nine survey sites were identified as 44 species, 27 genera and nine families in five orders. Apodemus chevrieri, Eothenomys miletus and A. draco were the dominant host species with a total constituent ratio Cr = 52.037%. From the body surface of the hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species richness (S = 82) and diversity (H = 2.33). The three dominant mite species were Dipolaelaps anourosorecis, Laelaps nuttalli and L. echidninus, with a total Cr = 64.46% (16,791/26,048). There are significant differences in the species composition, species diversity and dominant species of gamasid mites on different hosts. The species diversity of the mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model with S ^ (R) = 19 e − [ 0.22 (R − 0) ] 2 (α = 0.22, R2 = 0.9879). Based on fitting the theoretical curve by Preston's model, the total number of gamasid mite species was estimated to be 153 species. (4) Conclusions: Gamasid mites on small mammals are abundant with complex community structures and high species diversity in the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China. There is an apparent community heterogeneity of the mites on different hosts and in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Natural enemies of cheatgrass, an invasive plant in the western USA that is associated with recent increases in destructive wildfires, were sought as part of a classical biological control program targeting that plant. A population of mites was discovered infesting cheatgrass plants in central Bulgaria and determined to be a new species using morphological, morphometric analysis (i.e., measurement of specific body parts) and DNA barcoding (i.e., comparison of DNA sequences in genes shared by all mite species). Without these modern analytical tools, this mite would probably have been considered as the same species as another mite that infests other plants. This new mite species will now be tested to determine if it is suitable for importation and release in the USA as a biological control agent of cheatgrass. A new species of eriophyoid mite, Aculodes marcellisp. nov., was discovered on cheatgrass, Anisantha tectorum (L.) Nevski (syn. Bromus tectorum L.), an annual grass that is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa. This grass was introduced to North America near the end of the 19th century and now is widespread and associated with the observed increases in the size, frequency, and intensity of wildfires in western N. America. In this paper, A. marcellisp. nov., is morphologically described and illustrated. Compared with other Aculodes spp., it differs based on morphology and the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene, subunit I (MT-CO1). Results of morphometric analysis showed clear differentiation between A. marcellisp. nov., and the most similar congener, A. altamurgiensis from Taeniatherum caput-medusae. Analysis of MT-CO1 sequence divergence revealed significant levels of genetic variation (17.7%) and supported the results from the morphometric analysis; therefore, it is determined that they are two different species. Aculodes marcellisp. nov., is a new candidate agent for classical biological control of A. tectorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a long-term field investigation in the five provincial regions of Southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper studied the infestation and related ecology of chigger mites (chiggers) on the large Chinese vole (Eothenomys miletus), an endemic and dominant rodent species in the regions. A total of 52331 chiggers were collected from 2661 voles, and 52261 mites were identified as 185 species and 13 genera in the family Trombiculidae with very high species diversity. The identified 185 chigger species on E. miletus (a single rodent species) even exceeded those recorded in some countries. The overall infestation prevalence (P m = 53.96%), mean abundance (MA = 19.64) and mean intensity (MI = 36.39) on E. miletus were much higher than those on some other rodent species in the same regions. Although the species composition showed a moderate similarity (J = 0.63) between male and female hosts (E. miletus), the infestation indices (P m = 56.25%, MA = 21.67) of chiggers on male hosts were higher than those on the females (P m = 51.23%, MA = 17.09) (P < 0.05). Two dominant chigger species, Leptotrombidium scutellare (C r = 19.17%) and L. sinicum (C r = 11.06%), showed an aggregated distribution pattern among different individuals of their host E. miletus , and a relatively high degree of positive association existed between the two dominant chigger species with PCC = 0.57, DI = 0.60 and OI = 0.62 (x 2 = 857.46, P < 0.001). Leptotrombidium d ensipunctatum , Walchia koi , Helenicula hsui , L. scutellare and W. ewingi showed a high degree of environmental adaptability to their environments with high niche breadths. The theoretical curve of the species abundance distribution of chigger community on E. miletus was successfully fitted with Preston's lognormal distribution model. Based on the theoretical curve fitting, the expected total number of chigger species on E. miletus was roughly estimated to be 223 species, and 38 chigger species were probably missed in the sampling investigation. [Display omitted] • Chiggers are the common ectoparasites of rodents and vector of scrub typhus, Eothenomys miletus is the reservoir host and infectious source of zoonoses. • The dominant chigger specie, Leptotrombidium scutellare , is one of the main and powerful vectors of scrub typhus in China. • To study the chigger mites of E. miletus voles in such a wide geographical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, relatively few data have been available regarding the parasitism of water mite larvae on caddisflies; most available information relates to the adult stadia, fewer to caddisfly larvae, with just single references to pupae. The present paper examines the occurrence (phoresy and parasitism) of Piona stjordalensis larvae (119 individuals) on the larvae and pupae of Mystacides longicornis. It is possible that water mite larvae exhibit a new type of parasitism on caddisflies, with two consecutive parasitic larval stadia: one on the pupa, the other on the imago. [Display omitted] • First record of Piona stjordalensis (Hydrachnidia) on the aquatic stages of Mystacides longicornis (Trichoptera) is given. • This is the second identified case within water mites of such relationships as for caddisfly pupae in the literature. • 119 larvae of Piona stjordalensis were phoretic on caddisfly larvae, on pupae –phoretic and most of all parasitic. • On the caddisfly larvae, the water mites were attached only to the abdomen, on pupae – on all body parts. • Probably Piona stjordalensis exhibit a new type of parasitism on caddisflies, with two consecutive parasitic larval stadia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of the parasites associated with extinct avian species provide unique insights into the ecology and evolution of both hosts and their parasitic counterparts. In the present paper, a new quill mite species, Peristerophila conuropsis sp. n., belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) is described from the Carolina parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis Linnaeus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae). This new species was collected from museum dry skin of the Carolina parakeet, the only native representative of the Psittacidae in the United States, which was an abundant resident of the southeastern and midwestern states and has been extinct in the beginning of the 20th century. Comment on the current taxonomic state and host associations of the genus Peristerophila are provided. Based on the host associations and habitats occupied by Peristerophila and related genera on parrots, it is hypothesized with the high probability that P. conuropsis has been extinct along with its host.

Simple Summary: Mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Cheyletoidea)—also called quill mites—are permanent and highly specialized ectoparasites of birds living inside the calamus of the various types of the feathers. In the present paper, we conducted a study focused on prevalence, host specificity, networks, and phylogeny of the syringophilid mites parasitizing on pigeon and doves (Columbiformes). We postulate that the Syringophilidae mites and Columbiformes bird system represent a model which can be used in a broader study of the relationship between hosts and parasites. The quill mites belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) are obligate ectoparasites of birds. They inhabit different types of the quills, where they spend their whole life cycle. In this paper, we conducted a global study of syringophilid mites associated with columbiform birds. We examined 772 pigeon and dove individuals belonging to 112 species (35% world fauna) from all zoogeographical regions (except Madagascan) where Columbiformes occur. We measured the prevalence (IP) and the confidence interval (CI) for all infested host species. IP ranges between 4.2 and 66.7 (CI 0.2–100). We applied a bipartite analysis to determine host–parasite interaction, network indices, and host specificity on species and whole network levels. The Syringophilidae–Columbiformes network was composed of 25 mite species and 65 host species. The bipartite network was characterized by a high network level specialization H2′ = 0.93, high nestedness N = 0.908, connectance C = 0.90, and high modularity Q = 0.83, with 20 modules. Moreover, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the quill mites associated with columbiform birds on the generic level. Analysis shows two distinct clades: Meitingsunes + Psittaciphilus, and Peristerophila + Terratosyringophilus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the field investigations in 91 investigation sites (counties) in southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper reported the chigger mites on A. agrarius mice in southwest China for the first time by using a series of statistical methods. From 715 striped field mice captured in 28 of 91 investigated sites, only 255 chiggers were collected, and they were identified as 14 species, 6 genera in 3 subfamilies under 2 families. Of 715 A. agrarius mice, only 24 of them were infested with chigger mites with low overall prevalence (PM=3.4%), overall mean abundance (MA=0.36 mites/host) and overall mean intensity (MI=10.63 mites/host). The species diversity and infestation of chiggers on A. agrarius were much lower than those previously reported on some other rodents in southwest China. On a certain species of rodent, A. agrarius mouse in southwest China seems to have a very low susceptibility to chigger infestations than in other geographical regions. Of 14 chigger species, there were 3 dominant species, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, L. rupestre and Schoengastiella novoconfuciana, which were of aggregated distribution among different individuals of A. agrarius hosts. L. sialkotense, one of 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China, was the first dominant on A. agrarius. The species similarity of chigger mites on male and female hosts was low with CSS=0.25, and this reflects the sex-bias of different genders of A. agrarius mice in harboring different chigger species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is to illustrate the infestation and related ecological characteristics of chigger mites on the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi). A total of 17,221 chigger mites were collected from 2,761 R. tanezumi rats, and then identified as 131 species and 19 genera in 2 families. Leptotrombidium deliense, the most powerful vector of scrub typhus in China, was the first major dominant species on R. tanezumi. All the dominant mite species were of an aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. tanezumi. The species composition and infestations of chiggers on R. tanezumi varied along different geographical regions, habitats and altitudes. The species-abundance distribution of the chigger mite community was successfully fitted and the theoretical curve equation was Ŝ (R)= 37e-(0.28R)². The total chigger species on R. tanezumi were estimated to be 199 species or 234 species, and this further suggested that R. tanezumi has a great potential to harbor abundant species of chigger mites. The results of the species-plot relationship indicated that the chigger mite community on R. tanezumi in Yunnan was an uneven community with very high heterogeneity. Wide geographical regions with large host samples are recommended in the investigations of chigger mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-dwelling organisms populate the spaces—referred to as interstices—between the litter on the soil surface and the pores in the soil's organo-mineral matrix. These organisms have pivotal roles in soil ecosystem functions, such as the breakdown and decomposition of organic matter, the dispersal of bacterial and fungal spores and biological habitat transformation. These functions, in turn, contribute to broader ecosystem services like carbon and nutrient cycling, soil organic matter regulation and both chemical and physical soil fertility.This study provides morphological data pertaining to a range of soil organism sizes, specifically in Argiudol soils subjected to varying levels of agricultural activity in the Rolling Pampas Region, one of the world's most extensive and fertile plains.The primary focus is on soil microarthropods—namely, Acari (mites) and Collembola (springtails)—with a body width of less than 2 mm. These organisms constitute the majority of life in the intricate soil pore network. Additionally, the study documents species of earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitelata), recognised as ecosystem engineers for their ability to create physical channels in the soil matrix and to distribute organic matter. Moreover, the study includes measurements of morphological traits of soil-dwelling "macrofauna" (organisms with a body width greater than 2 mm), which are also implicated in various soil ecosystem functions. These include population regulation by apex predators, organic matter decomposition, biogenic structure formation, nutrient mobilisation and herbivory.In this paper, we report both the geographical locations and individual measurements of key morphological traits for over 7,000 specimens, covering a range of soil-dwelling organisms. These include springtails (Entognatha, Collembola), mites (Arachnida, Acari), earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitellata) and additional soil macrofauna. All specimens were collected from typical Argiudol soils located in three distinct agricultural systems characterised by varying levels of land-use intensity. To our knowledge, no other dataset exists providing this information for the Argentinian Pampas.

Gall mites (Eriophyoidea) are cosmopolitan microscopic phytoparasites that often transmit viruses and induce gallogenesis. The tribe Calacarini is diagnosed by a set of plesiomorphic and homoplastic traits, including elimination of setae sc shared with other lineages of Eriophyoidea. We reviewed data on the generic diversity of calacarines, revised the concept of the type genus Calacarus Keifer 1940, and proposed three zones (MZ, SMZ, LZ) in the prodorsal shields of calacarines to simplify descriptions of their shield patterns. We describe three new calacarine species (Calacarus baviensisn. sp., C. burchelliaen. sp., and Viginticus searsiaen. sp.) from indigenous dicotyledonous trees from South Africa and Vietnam and report on new findings of Paracalacarus podocarpi Keifer in Brazil, Jiangsuacarus sp. in the USA, and Calacarus pusillus Pye in Latvia and Russia. The latter represents the new most northern locality of Calacarini. Reinvestigating the type species of Jaranasia Chandrapatya & Boczek 2000 revealed that absence of setae l" II is the only character separating it from Jiangsuacarus Xue 2009. We proposed two new combinations: Jiangsuacarus sesleriae (Skoracka 2004) n. comb. (transferred from Jaranasia) and Procalacarus mussaendae (Keifer 1977) n. comb. (transferred from Calacarus). Partial sequences of Cox1 and 28S genes were obtained for six calacarines, some of them originating from old ethanol material kept at room temperature. Molecular phylogenetics revealed a stable cluster of "true" calacarine sequences comprising Calacarus, Jaranasia, Latitudo, and Viginticus and a polyphyletic group of erroneous sequences assigned to Calacarini in GenBank. All investigated females of calacarines have a pair of genital tubules associated with the vestibulum and hypothesized to participate in fertilization. This finding may contribute to resolving the question on how the fusion of gametes happens in gall mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mites of Raphignathoidea are important natural enemies of some small pests like phytophagous mites and some insects in various ecosystems. Fauna of this superfamily was studied in Lorestan province, Iran, during 2019-2020. In this survey, a total of 20 species belonging to seven genera from three families were collected and identified. Among them, Raphignathus evidus Fan is re-described and recorded as new to Iranian mite's fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and abundance of the species of Atrectides in Iran is significant and this genus is present in all provinces of the country. Atractides (Atractides) khuzestaniensis sp. nov. is described as new to science from one of the southern provinces. This is the thirty-second species of this genus from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viticulture is a perennial cropping system that provides large inter-row space as a non-crop habitat for a range of different taxa. Extensive vegetation management has been shown to increase biodiversity and ecosystem service provision in vineyards. Important soil ecosystem services are decomposition, nutrient cycling, and pest regulation provided by the mesofauna (e.g., Acari and Collembola). However, studies investigating the effects of inter-row management on soil mesofauna are scarce. We studied the effect of inter-row management intensity (complete vegetation cover, alternating vegetation cover, and bare ground) and local pedoclimatic conditions on Acari and Collembola in nine Austrian vineyards. Our results showed that the clay content of the soil was the most important factor and increased the abundances of both analyzed taxa. Complete and alternating vegetation cover increased their abundance in comparison to bare ground management. Higher soil respiration slightly contributed to higher abundances of those two taxa in both years. In conclusion, besides the positive effects of the clay content in the soil, complete and alternating vegetation cover are feasible management practices for increasing soil mesofauna in vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As a group of ectoparasites, chiggers (larvae of chigger mites) are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease). Rodents are the most important hosts of chiggers. The Anderson's niviventer rat, Niviventer andersoni, is an endemic species of rodent in China. However, few studies have involved this endemic rodent species and its ectoparasites including chiggers. According to the field investigation in five provincial regions of southwest China between 2001 and 2019, this paper retrospectively analysed the infestation and distribution of chiggers on the body surface of N. andersoni in southwest China for the first time. From 77 Anderson's niviventer rats captured, a total of 527 chiggers were collected and they were identified as 39 species and nine genera in two subfamilies of family Trombiculidae. Of 39 chigger species identified, Leptotrombidium deliense and L. scutellare are the most important vectors of scrub typhus in China. The overall infestation indexes were PM = 29.87%, MA = 6.84 and MI = 22.91, and the indexes of chigger mite community were Mf = 39, H' = 2.60, E = 0.71 and D = 0.12. The dominant chigger species are L. wenense, L. xiaguanense and L. fujianense with a total Cr = 51.04%, among which L. wenense is one of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China. The dominant chigger species are of aggregated distribution among different individuals of the rats.

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae are widely distributed parasites of birds inhabiting the interior of feather quills. In this paper, we provide detailed information on the host spectrum and distribution for six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings with new host and locality records. Additionally, we describe three new species: Aulonastus indonesianus Marcisova, Skoracki, and Patan sp. n. from the Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Linnaeus in Indonesia (Java) and the White-necked Myna Streptocitta albicollis (Vieillot) in Indonesia (Celebes); Aulonastus anais Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Golden Myna Mino anais (Lesson) in Papua New Guinea; and Syringophiloidus poeopterus Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Abbott’s Starling Poeoptera femoralis (Richmond) in Tanzania. Finally, we explore the host–parasite interactions within the system comprising starlings and syringophiline mites.

Kin recognition has been widely observed in various taxa. Cannibalism avoidance may be a strong driver for the evolution of kin recognition, as it may avoid a reduction in inclusive fitness. Kin recognition has recently been observed in a generalist phytoseiid, Amblyseius herbicolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae). This study experimentally examined the degree of relatedness needed between prey larvae and cannibal adults of A. herbicolus for the occurrence of kin discrimination. The adults were individually placed in enclosed arenas with two prey, a daughter and a more distant related larva, to observe their cannibalizing choice. The adults of A. herbicolus did not discriminate between close relatives (daughter versus niece) but preferably cannibalized more distant kin (i.e. first and second cousins once removed). Phenotype matching and familiarization seem prominent as recognition mechanisms used by A. herbicolus adults. The effect of learning on kin recognition through prior contact in A. herbicolus requires further investigation. Studies on other adaptive functions of kin recognition of A. herbicolus , such as cooperation and parental care, may provide meaningful insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a type of dietary restriction that involves fasting periods in intervals, which has been used as a strategy to improve health and extend longevity. Regular fasting is common during the process of biological invasions in nature. Yet, it is not clear how invasive animals adjust their resource allocations to survival and reproduction when periodical starvation occurs. Here, we used Tetranychus ludeni , a haplodiploid spider mite and an important invasive pest of horticultural crops around the world, to investigate the effects of IF on its life history strategies. We show that IF increased the longevity in females but not in males probably because of differences in resource storage, metabolic rate, and mating cost between sexes. In response to IF, females traded off fecundity and egg size but not the number of daughters for longevity gain, suggesting that T. ludeni females can adjust their life history strategies for population survival and growth during invasion process. Eggs produced by fasted females realized the same hatch rate and resultant young had the same survival rate as those by unfasted ones. In addition, IF had transgenerational maternal effects which prolonged offspring development period. We suggest that the longer immature developmental period can increase the body size of resulting adults, compensating egg size loss for offspring fitness. Our findings provide insight into resource allocations as responses to fasting, knowledge of which can be used for evaluation of pest invasions and for management of animal survival and reproduction by dietary regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This research presents a description of a new ectoparasitic scale-mite species, Neopterygosoma robertmertensi sp. n., collected from a Robert's tree iguana (Liolaemus robertmertensi) from Argentina. For the first time, the description of females was accompanied by the description of the male and juvenile stages. The morphology of all post-embryonic stages of this species was analyzed in detail using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis to determine its position within the genus and created an updated identification key for all Neopterygosoma species. The findings show that N. robertmertensi sp. n. is a part of the chilensis group and is a sister taxon to all Neopterygosoma spp. collected from Liolaemus pictus and L. chiliensis. A new pterygosomatid mite species, Neopterygosoma robertmertensi sp. n. (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae) was collected from two specimens of Liolaemus robertmertensi (Liolaemidae) from Argentina. This new species is described based on active stages: adults (female and male) and juveniles (deutonymphs, protonymphs, and larvae) and quiescent stages (nymphchrysalis, deutochrysalis and imagochrysalis). The changes in morphological characters that occur during the ontogeny of N. robertmertensi have been analyzed in detail. A difference in larval sex morphology was observed for the first time in the family Pterygosomatidae (female larvae differ from male larvae in terms of the shape and size of the idiosoma and the position of the genital area). This new mite species is most similar to N. cyanogasteri but can be distinguished by the presence of different leg chaetotaxy patterns of genua IV and femora IV, four to six genital setae, three to five dorsomedial setae, and two to three ventromedial setae. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on 120 morphological characters of all Neopterygosoma spp. and four outgroup species using the maximum parsimony approach. The results indicated that this species is nested within mites of the chilensis group of Neopterygosoma associated with host species of the section chiliensis of Liolaemus s. str. An updated diagnosis of the chilensis group of Neopterygosoma and an identification key for all species of this genus has been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This research presents a description of a new species of quill mite, Tinamiphilopsis temmincki sp. n. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), which was found on a representative of palaeognathous bird species, the Tataupa Tinamou (Crypturellus tataupa), in South America. Alongside describing this new species, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted on the primitive syringophilid genera. The results indicate that the genus Tinamiphilopsis is nested among the syringophilid genera associated with neognathous birds. This placement has significant implications for understanding the evolutionary relationship between quill mites and their avian hosts. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iolinid mite Coccalicus clavatus Willmann, 1952 was collected during a survey from the soil of Gilanegharb, Kermanshah, Iran in 2022. This species was first described in the family Alycidae by Willmann in 1952 and then André and Uusitalo transferred it to the family Iolinidae in 2006, accompanied by transferring species from the genus Paratydaeolus to the genus Coccalicus. Some challenges about species characters of this mite are discussed in this paper and the synonymy of C. lukoschusi and C. clavatus is proposed. The genus consists of 12 species with clavate trichobothria, and is related to various habitats like soil, stored products, under barks, on leaves of different plants, and on birds. They have been reported from Europe, Antarctica and North America and this is the first record of the Coccalicus mites from Asia.

Simple Summary: Gamasid mites are a large group of arthropods and some of them are ectoparasites on the body surface of rodents and some other small mammals. Some species of ectoparasitic gamasid mites are associated with the transmission of some zoonotic diseases such as rickettsialpox and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Based on a 12-month consecutive investigation at Jingha village in southern Yunnan of China from April 2016 to March 2017, the present paper studied the infestation and seasonal fluctuation of gamasid mites on the Indochinese forest rat, Rattus andamanensis, the most dominant species of rodent at the investigated site. The temperature and rainfall are two key factors that influence the seasonal fluctuation of the mites. A 12-month consecutive investigation was made at Jingha village in southern Yunnan of southwest China from April 2016 to March 2017. A total of 2053 Indochinese forest rats (Rattus andamanensis Blyth, 1860) were captured and examined, which account for 84.69% (2053/2424) of all the animal hosts (rodents and other small mammals) at the investigation site. And 39.82% (13,531/33,980) of gamasid mites were identified from the body surface of R. andamanensis and they belong to 41 species, 10 genera, 3 subfamilies and 2 families. Of the 41 species of gamasid mites identified from R. andamanensis, Laelaps nuttalli Hirst, 1915 and Laelaps echidninus Berlese, 1887 were the most dominant with 70.63% and 20.67% of constituent ratios respectively. In monthly fluctuations of all the gamasid mites on R. andamanensis, the constituent ratio (Cr) and overall infestation mean abundance (MA) of the mites in 12 months showed two obvious peaks in January (winter season) and June (summer season). However, the two dominant mite species, L. nuttalli and L. echidninus, showed different patterns of seasonal fluctuations. Laelaps nuttalli occurred throughout the year, and its Cr and MA showed two prominent peaks in winter season (December and January) and summer season (June), which belongs to the summer-winter type of seasonal fluctuation. Laelaps echidninus also occurred on R. andamanensis throughout the year, but its Cr and MA showed only one peak in winter season (December and January), which belongs to the winter type of seasonal fluctuation. A negative correlation existed between two climatic factors (temperature and rainfall) and the infestations (Cr, prevalence PM and MA) of two dominant mite species (L. nuttalli and L. echidninus) on R. andamanensis (p < 0.05). Temperature and rainfall are considered to be two key factors that influence the seasonal fluctuations of the mites on the studied rat species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new subgenera in the genus Raphignathus Dugès are hereby proposed: Raphignathus (Raphignathus), subgen. nov., Raphignathus (Monoraphignathus), subgen. nov., Raphignathus (Diraphignathus), subgen. nov., and Raphignathus (Triraphignathus), subgen. nov. These subgenera are diagnosed by the number of setae on the interscutal membrane of females. A new species, R. (D.) neohecmatanaensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females collected from Ziziphus spina-christi Mill. (Rhamnaceae). The taxonomic status of the monotypic genus Neoraphignathus Smiley & Moser and three species (R. evidus, R. hsiufui, and R. johnstoni) are discussed. A key to world species of the family Raphignathidae is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The mite genus Neoprotereunetes, long neglected in the literature, is revised according to modern taxonomic standards. Six species from both Arctic and Antarctic locations, previously placed in the invalid genera Protereunetes or Eupodes, are transferred to Neoprotereunetes. The new genus Antarcteupodes is created to accommodate one Antarctic species A. maudae comb. nov, originally described in Protereunetes. An identification key to Neoprotereunetes is provided. The genus Neoprotereunetes Fain et Camerik, 1994 is revised and its definition is extended in order to incorporate some species of the invalid genus Protereunetes Berlese, 1923. The former type species Neoprotereunetes—Ereunetes lapidarius Oudemans, 1906 is redescribed and transferred to Filieupodes Jesionowska, 2010 (Cocceupodidae); Proterunetes boerneri is redescribed and designated the new type species. Two species groups are proposed to embrace Arctic and Antarctic species, respectively. Protereunetes paulinae Gless, 1972 is redescribed, whereas Protereunetes maudae Strandtmann, 1967 is redescribed and designated the type species of the new genus Antarcteupodes gen. nov. A key to the species of Neopretereunetes is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigated the picobiine mites parasitising African barbets. The results showed that this bird family is more widely infested by feather mites than previously thought, with three species of the genus Tanopicobia found on ten African barbet species. Birds belonging to the family Lybiidae have a unique parasite fauna consisting exclusively of mites from the genus Tanopicobia, which is restricted solely to African barbets. Based on the distribution of the genus Tanopicobia on the studied barbet hosts, our results also provide indirect cues that the host genus Trachyphonus, attributed to such different avian families, e.g., Capitonidae, Ramphastidae, is part of the family Lybiidae, whereas other/related bird families have their own distinct quill mite fauna. In this study, we conducted a parasitological investigation of the quill mite fauna of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) associated with African barbets (Aves: Piciformes: Lybiidae). We examined twenty-seven host species, representing 57% of the forty-seven known host species in the family Lybiidae, belonging to seven genera (70% of the ten genera in the family). Our research revealed that ten host species were infested by three species of picobiine mites belonging to the genus Tanopicobia: (1) Tanopicobia hallae Sikora and Skoracki, sp. n., from three species of the genus Lybius and two species of the genus Tricholaema, (2) Tanopicobia stactolaema Sikora and Skoracki, sp. n., from two species of the genus Stactolaema, and (3) Tanopicobia trachyphoni Skoracki et al., 2020, collected from three host species of the genus Trachyphonus. Our findings demonstrate that birds belonging to the family Lybiidae have a specific parasite fauna consisting exclusively of mites of the genus Tanopicobia; this mite genus is apparently restricted to African barbets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a long-term field investigation in the five provincial regions of Southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper studied the infestation and related ecology of chigger mites (chiggers) on the large Chinese vole (Eothenomys miletus), an endemic and dominant rodent species in the regions. A total of 52331 chiggers were collected from 2661 voles, and 52261 mites were identified as 185 species and 13 genera in the family Trombiculidae with very high species diversity. The identified 185 chigger species on E. miletus (a single rodent species) even exceeded those recorded in some countries. The overall infestation prevalence (Pm = 53.96%), mean abundance (MA = 19.64) and mean intensity (MI = 36.39) on E. miletus were much higher than those on some other rodent species in the same regions. Although the species composition showed a moderate similarity (J = 0.63) between male and female hosts (E. miletus), the infestation indices (Pm = 56.25%, MA = 21.67) of chiggers on male hosts were higher than those on the females (Pm = 51.23%, MA = 17.09) (P

Perhaps one of the central questions in ecology has been what limits the geographic distribution of species. The geographic distributions of the reptile‐ticks Amblyomma limbatum, Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Amblyomma albolimbatum are a classic example of this problem: where these ticks meet, narrow regions‐of‐overlap often occur. Despite studies of interactions among these ticks, and of these ticks and their environment, we still do not understand what limits their geographic distributions. Many hypotheses have been proposed and tested, but all have seemingly been rejected. Our aim was to account for the abundance and the geographic distributions of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station, South Australia, where these species come in contact and have been studied for over 35 years, leading to over 55 000 records of reptiles and their ticks using a capture‐mark‐recapture approach. We constructed models which had combinations of temperature and moisture indices from different months of the year to determine the relationship between climate and tick abundance, and between climate and the shifting local geographic distribution of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station. We found that climate together with the abundance of ticks in the previous year and the abundance of the lizard host, accounted for 54%–77% of the variation in the abundance of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri among years. We also found that the climate in late autumn to winter, together with the abundance of ticks and their host, accounted for 18%–84% of the variation in the geographic distributions of these ticks among years. Climate was central to the abundance and the geographic distributions of A. limbatum and B. hydrosauri at Bundey Bore Station. We speculate that the same mechanisms account for the geographic distributions of A. limbatum, B. hydrosauri and A. albolimbatum elsewhere in Australia; so, climate may explain the three‐tick problem in Austral ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contains a diverse fauna and microflora that are vital for maintaining healthy soils and their various ecosystem services. Oribatid mites are typically highly abundant arthropods in the soil and are used as indicators for environmental monitoring. The aim of this study was to determine oribatid mite community response to natural land cover, anthropogenic disturbance, space, and climate in the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada. Our results found that oribatid mite total abundance was significantly reduced by mining, cultivation, and well sites. Species richness was significantly reduced by mining and cultivation. Shannon's diversity index was significantly higher for all natural land cover types, seismic lines, and forest harvest. Additionally, species diversity was lower under the relative influence of energy-related soft linear disturbances than for naturally vegetated sites and forest harvesting, and was lowered further by anthropogenic disturbances with more impact on soil integrity (cultivation, mines, urban/industrial, road/trail verges, well sites). Abundance, richness, and diversity also increased with increased frost free period and with eastward longitude. Mite community composition included a notable composition difference between lowland habitats and upland forest types, and between natural land cover and intense anthropogenic disturbance types (e.g., mines, cultivation). Our study highlighted oribatid mite communities' response to natural land cover, anthropogenic disturbance and spatial–climatic factors assessed over broad spatial scales and the potential utility of oribatid mites as ecosystem health indicators under multiple ecological drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, relatively few data have been available regarding the parasitism of water mite larvae on caddisflies; most available information relates to the adult stadia, fewer to caddisfly larvae, with just single references to pupae. The present paper examines the occurrence (phoresy and parasitism) of Piona stjordalensis larvae (119 individuals) on the larvae and pupae of Mystacides longicornis. It is possible that water mite larvae exhibit a new type of parasitism on caddisflies, with two consecutive parasitic larval stadia: one on the pupa, the other on the imago.

The family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata) includes obligatory ectoparasites, which occupy feather quills from various parts of avian plumage, where they feed and reproduce. Our study was concerned with the global fauna of syringophilid mites associated with Psittaciformes, as well as host-parasite specificity and evolution. We assumed that the system composed of quill mites and parrots represents a model group that can be used in a broader study of the relationships between parasites and hosts. In total, we examined 1524 host individuals of parrots belonging to 195 species, 73 genera, and 4 families (which constitute ca. 50% of global parrot fauna) from all zoogeographical regions where Psittaciformes occur. Among them, 89 individuals representing 81 species have been infested by quill mites belonging to 45 species and 8 genera. The prevalence of host infestations by syringophilid mites varied from 2.8% to 100% (95% confidence interval (CI Sterne method) = 0.1–100). We applied a bipartite analysis to determine the parasite-host interaction, network indices, and host specificity at the species and whole network levels. The Syringophilidae-Psittaciformes network was composed of 24 mite species and 47 host species. The bipartite network was characterized by a high network level specialization H2′ = 0.98, connectance C = 0.89, and high modularity Q = 0.90, with 23 modules, but low nestedness N = 0.0333. Moreover, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the quill mites on the generic level, and this analysis shows two distinct clades: Psittaciphilus (Peristerophila + Terratosyringophilus) (among Syringophilinae subfamily) and Lawrencipicobia (Pipicobia + Rafapicobia) (among Picobiinae). Finally, the distributions and host-parasite relationships in the system composed of syringophilid mites and parrots are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mites of the genus Geckobia (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae) are permanent and highly specialised ectoparasites of geckos (Gekkota). We conducted a local study on Geckobia mites associated with the geckos of the family Gekkonidae found mainly in the territory of the Indian Institute of Science's campus (Bangalore, India). In total, we examined 208 lizards belonging to two genera: Hemidactylus and Cnemaspis. We assessed the prevalence of the mites and identified the preferred site for their infestation. We extended the standard morphological identification of the mite species by using DNA barcode markers, partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and nuclear ribosomal gene sequences: 18S rRNA and hypervariable region D2 of nuclear 28S rRNA. We checked the suitability of COI and nuclear (D2 of 28S rRNA) markers for species delimitations and identification purposes of the genus. The distance- and phylogeny-based approaches were applied: (i) to test the presence of a barcoding gap, we used the automated barcoding gap discovery tool (ABGD) and investigated intra- and interspecific genetic distances, and (ii) to reconstruct evolutionary relationships within the species, we performed maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference with Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (BI) analyses. As a result, we described five new species—Geckobia gigantea sp. n., G. treutleri sp. n., G. unica sp. n. and G. brevicephala sp. n.—from four Hemidactylus species: H. giganteus, H. treutleri, H. parvimaculatus and H. frenatus, respectively, and G. mysoriensis sp. n. from Cnemaspis mysoriensis. Additionally, we found three already described species: Geckobia indica Hirst, 1917 on H. treutleri (new host), Geckobia bataviensis Vitzhum, 1926 on H. parvimaculatus (new host) and H. frenatus (new locality) and Geckobia phillipinensis Lawrence, 1953 on H. frenatus (new locality). The diagnoses of G. indica and G. phillipinensis were improved and supplemented by descriptions of the males and juveniles. Both topologies of the BI and ML phylogenetic trees, as well as genetic distances, supported the species boundaries in the mite population shown by the morphological data. Hemidactylus frenatus was the most infected gecko species (61% prevalence), with the highest number of mite species (three spp.). The scale-mite richness was higher than expected; therefore, further research is required to evaluate the true diversity of Geckobia mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Many species of mites are described as adults; immature stages are far less understood than adults despite being key features for understanding mite classification and phylogeny. Bdella muscorum Ewing, 1909 is a type species of Bdellidae erected on adults; and its ontogeny has never been described before. Here; adult B. muscorum collected from China were redescribed and its ontogeny was described in detail for the first time which will help us to improve identification, understand mite classification and phylogeny, and to study variations of ontogeny. Bdella muscorum Ewing, 1909 was redescribed and illustrated in detail, and its ontogeny was described and illustrated for the first time, including pro dorsal apodeme and chaetotaxy. Chaetotaxy changes in Bdella are mainly focused on ventral hypostomal setae (vh), setae on palpal basifemur, aggenital setae (ag), genital setae (g), anal setae (ad) and leg setae. Furthermore, an original key to the Bdella species from China was also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the biological uniqueness of the Galápagos Islands, ectoparasites of their avian fauna are relatively well-studied compared with other oceanic islands. However, in this study, quill mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) were investigated for the first time in this archipelago. We investigated 7 species (out of 9) and 133 specimens of Darwin's Finches of the genus Geospiza. Quill mite parasites were confirmed in two host species, Vampire Ground-Finch G. septentrionalis (Prevalence Index = 5%) and Small Ground-Finch G. fuliginosa (PI = 4%). Both hosts were infested by a new mite species, Aulonastus darwini sp. n., inhabiting the quills of their contour feathers. The host–parasite relationship is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While birds-of-paradise (Passeriformes: Paradisaeidae) are a well-known group of birds, our understanding of their parasites is still limited. This study reports on parasitic quill mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), which have never before been recorded on this group of birds. The mite specimens presented in this paper were collected from birds-of-paradise that had been captured in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia in the years 1910–1911 and are now deposited in the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany. Two syringophilid species are described as new to science: (i) Picobia frankei sp. n. from the magnificent riflebird Lophorina magnifica, the glossy-mantled manucode Manucodia ater, and the crinkle-collared manucode Manucodia chalybatus, and (ii) Gunabopicobia garylarsoni sp. n. from the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus and the lesser bird-of-paradise Paradisaea minor. We hypothesise that the presence of both picobiine species on phylogenetically unrelated paradisaeids may be caused by the sexual behaviour of these birds, where interspecific copulations may play a role in the switching of parasites between non-closely related host species.

Otobius megnini (Ixodida: Argasidae) is a cosmopolitan soft tick that parasitizes humans as well as domestic and wild animals. The larval and nymph stages of this tick usually feed by parasitizing in the ear canal. The material of this study consists of ticks collected during ear cleaning in approximately 496 people coming with the complaint of ear pain in state hospitals in Bulanik and Malazgirt districts of Muş province, eastern Turkey. As a result of microscopic examination performed on ticks collected from humans, O. megnini tick was determined and molecular identification was made for definitive diagnosis. The 16S rRNA gene fragment of the tick was amplified by PCR. Obtained PCR products were 360 bp. The PCR products were analyzed by sequence analysis and compared with the reference sequences in the BLAST and Genbank. A phylogenetic tree was created with MEGA 7 software using Maximum Likelihood model. As a result, the previously identified Otobius megnini in Turkey, was confirmed using molecular methods for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mite family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) includes permanent parasites of birds exclusively, occupying their quill feathers where they reproduce and feed on living tissue fluids, piercing the quill-wall with their long and stiletiform chelicerae. The Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus (L.) (Strigiformes: Strigidae) is parasitised by the Bubophilus aegolius, which is a new species of syringophilid mite described herein. In our study a total of 55 Boreal Owls were examined, including birds from Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. A total of four host specimens from Poland, Switzerland, and Finland were infested by Bubophilus aegolius (index of prevalence IP = 7.3; 95% confidence interval for prevalence (Sterne's method) CI = 2.5–17.9). In the material consisting of 14 juvenile (in the 1st calendar year) and 41 adults (in the 2nd calendar year or older) birds, only juvenile hosts were infested (IP = 28.6%; CI = 10.4–57.4). Among 3,190 examined feathers (primaries (N = 1,100), secondaries (N = 1,430), rectrices (N = 660), quill mites were found only in four feathers, each feather from a single host specimen: in two small secondaries, S12, S13, and in two middle rectrices R1. This low prevalence may be related to the solitary behaviour of owls and the marginal role of horizontal transfers of parasites between hosts. Hypothetically, the low number of infested feathers on the host indicates low effectiveness (= high mortality) during transmission, where – in each case – only one fertilised female foundress (dispersal stage) was able to transfer from the parent to the offspring and enter a new quill feather. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pleurodesmospora is an anamorphic genus with two known species recorded mainly on chitinous substrates such as insects, mites, spiders, and foliicolous fungi in tropical and subtropical areas. A further fungus with similar morphology of conidiophores and conidiogenous cells was found on a dead mite on a living fern (Angiopteris lygodiifolia). Isolated in culture, this fungus produced white dusty colonies. Morphologically, the new strain from the mite differs from the two known Pleurodesmospora species by non-catenate conidia and chlamydospores and is, therefore, proposed as new species. The tea whitefly, Aleurocanthus camelliae, was found as new host of Pleurodesmospora coccorum in Taiwan. The ITS sequences of these isolates are similar to those of other Pleurodesmospora strains. A phylogenetic analysis of a combined ITS and TEF sequence dataset indicates the presence of cryptic species in Pleurodesmospora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of eriophyoid mite, Aculodes marcelli sp. nov., was discovered on cheatgrass, Anisantha tectorum (L.) Nevski (syn. Bromus tectorum L.), an annual grass that is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa. This grass was introduced to North America near the end of the 19th century and now is widespread and associated with the observed increases in the size, frequency, and intensity of wildfires in western N. America. In this paper, A. marcelli sp. nov., is morphologically described and illustrated. Compared with other Aculodes spp., it differs based on morphology and the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene, subunit I (MT-CO1). Results of morphometric analysis showed clear differentiation between A. marcelli sp. nov., and the most similar congener, A. altamurgiensis from Taeniatherum caput-medusae. Analysis of MT-CO1 sequence divergence revealed significant levels of genetic variation (17.7%) and supported the results from the morphometric analysis; therefore, it is determined that they are two different species. Aculodes marcelli sp. nov., is a new candidate agent for classical biological control of A. tectorum.

The quill mites belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) are obligate ectoparasites of birds. They inhabit different types of the quills, where they spend their whole life cycle. In this paper, we conducted a global study of syringophilid mites associated with columbiform birds. We examined 772 pigeon and dove individuals belonging to 112 species (35% world fauna) from all zoogeographical regions (except Madagascan) where Columbiformes occur. We measured the prevalence (IP) and the confidence interval (CI) for all infested host species. IP ranges between 4.2 and 66.7 (CI 0.2–100). We applied a bipartite analysis to determine host–parasite interaction, network indices, and host specificity on species and whole network levels. The Syringophilidae–Columbiformes network was composed of 25 mite species and 65 host species. The bipartite network was characterized by a high network level specialization H2′ = 0.93, high nestedness N = 0.908, connectance C = 0.90, and high modularity Q = 0.83, with 20 modules. Moreover, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the quill mites associated with columbiform birds on the generic level. Analysis shows two distinct clades: Meitingsunes + Psittaciphilus, and Peristerophila + Terratosyringophilus.

The European bison (wisent) Bison bonasus is not only the largest terrestrial mammal in Europe, but also an example of the successful restitution and reintroduction of a species that became extinct in nature at the beginning of the 20th century. Even so, it remains a rare, protected species, and one susceptible to varied threats, including diseases. It has a specific parasitofauna, comprising only a few specific species retained with the last hosts in the restitution process, and some others acquired from other ungulates, or via environmental interactions. The current data on parasitic arthropods originated from the winter season, and less frequently, from autumn and early spring. The present study contains the first information on the occurrence of arthropods in the European bison (n = 6) in the summer season, which is the period of their increased activity. Data on the seasonal and populational dynamics of ectoparasites have been verified; specific parasite species (Demodex bisonianus, Bisonicola sedecimdecembrii, and recently described Demodex bialoviensis) and typical parasite species (Chorioptes bovis, Ixodes ricinus) have been recorded. The data refer to the information from other study periods, summarizing and valorizing data on parasitic arthropods in the form of a global checklist. These arthropods occur in European bison frequently (prevalence reaches up to 100%), but they are present in small numbers, and do not present a burden for the host; only sometimes, with high intensity of infection, they cause parasitoses (chorioptosis, mallohagosis). However, as an effect of regular activity, by penetrating the skin of the host, they create gateways for secondary infections, and hematophagous parasites (e.g., ticks) can be vectors of pathogens that can be hazardous, even at low infection levels. The identification of the parasitological threats faced by European bison is not only important from the standpoint of the study object, i.e., the Białowieża Forest European bison population, from which the existing bison population of Europe has been derived, but also the fact that their transfer to different parts of Europe can entail the additional transfer of their parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parasitic mites of the family Syringophilidae (quill mites) represent the most diverse prostigmatan family associated with birds. Here, we aim (i) to investigate quill mites of a well-defined monophyletic clade of nine bee-eater species, containing mostly migratory African and Asian species; (ii) to establish ectoparasite geographic ranges; and (iii) to discuss patterns of host-parasite relationships and possible host-switches. We have found that despite quill mites being highly specific on the host species or genus level, host-switches may occur, particularly when the ecology of host species overlaps. We studied the quill mite fauna of the family Syringophilidae, associated with bee-eaters. We examined 273 bird specimens belonging to nine closely related species of the genus Merops, representing two phylogenetic sister clades of a monophyletic group. Our examination reveals the presence of two species of the genus Peristerophila, as follows: (1) a new species Peristerophila mayri sp. n. from Merops viridis in the Philippines, M. leschenaulti in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and M. orientalis in Sri Lanka; and (2) P. meropis from M. superciliosus in Tanzania and Egypt, M. persicus in Sudan, Tanzania, Liberia, Senegal, Kenya, and D.R. Congo, M. ornatus in Papua New Guinea, M. philippinus in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and M. americanus in the Philippines. The prevalence of host infestations by syringophilid mites varied from 3.1 to 38.2%. The distribution of syringophilid mites corresponds with the sister clade phylogenetic relationships of the hosts, except for P. meropis associated with Merops americanus. Possible hypotheses for the host lineage shift are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]