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The Demodecidae are skin and tissue parasites of mammals with high host, topical, and topographic specificity. They may cause a demodecosis, typically observed in pets and humans. Numerous mammal species have been found to have several, specific demodecids, which inhabit different microhabitats. Thus far, two species have been known from the domestic cat, namely Demodex cati Megnin, 1877 (Acariformes: Demodecidae) and D. gatoi Desch and Stewart, 1999; however, there have been indications for the presence of other demodecid mites in this host. Presently, two other species are described, D. murilegi sp. nov. associated primarily with the skin from the area of lips and nose, and D. obliquus sp. nov. associated with the skin of the lower part of the limb. They exhibit morphological discreteness in terms of qualitative traits significant for Demodecidae taxonomy. Demodex murilegi sp. nov. is larger than both known species, and D. obliquus sp. nov. is intermediate in length between them. It is likely that infection with different Demodex species may result in variable symptoms and courses of demodecosis; however, a correct identification of the species causing the parasitosis is needed to confirm this. Thus, the present study compares the taxonomic traits of four cat demodecid mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of demodecid mite, Demodex castoris sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Demodecidae), is described based on adult stages from the skin of the nasal region of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758, collected in Poland. This is the first detection of a representative demodecid mite in rodents of the suborder Castorimorpha and also represents the first detection of a skin mite in Eurasian beavers. The new species is a small skin mite (average 173 µm in length) characterized by sexual dimorphism related to body proportions. D. castoris sp. nov. was observed in 4 out of 6 beavers examined (66.6%), with a mean intensity of 10.8 and an intensity range of 2-23 ind. host(-1). This paper also contains a checklist of parasitic arthropods known from Castor spp.

The occurrence of Demodex kutzeri Bukva, 1987 was examined and compared in red deer coming from different populations--25 red deer from northern Poland (Masurian Lake District) and 25 from southern Poland (Lower Silesia). The total prevalence of infestation in red deer by D. kutzeri was 52% with the mean intensity of 38 individuals and the intensity range of 1-135. Parameters of infestation for red deer from northern Poland were much higher (68%, 49), while for other red deer--lower (36%, 16). Demodectic mites D. kutzeri are associated with common hair follicles, therefore they can be found in different parts of the body, however most of the specimens were found in the head skin. Regardless of the location and the infestation rate (including density of mites in the skin), infestations were not accompanied by symptoms of demodecosis.

Five species of skin mites from Psorergatidae family have been found in four rodent species (Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, Mus musculus, Myodes glareolus) coming from northern part of Poland. Three species (Psorergates microti, P. musculinus, P. simplex) appeared to be new ones for the fauna of Poland. Moreover A. sylvaticus and M. glareolus are a new hosts for P. apodemi, P. muricola, P. microti and P. musculinus from Poland. All developmental stages with immature stages predominance were found within particular species. The mites were found in skin fragments from different body areas, however they preferred head skin. The paper presents the list of species observed so far in Poland taking into consideration their hosts--currently the Psorergatidae fauna in Poland includes 10 species noted in eleven mammals species among rodents, bats and insectivores.