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Individual organisms can function as ecosystems inhabited by symbionts. Symbionts may interact with each other in ways that subsequently influence their hosts positively or negatively, although the details of how these interactions operate collectively are usually not well understood. Vane‐dwelling feather mites are common ectosymbionts of birds and are proposed to confer benefits to hosts by consuming feather‐degrading microbes. However, it is unknown whether these mites exhibit generalist or selective diets, or how their dietary selection could potentially impact their symbiotic functional nature. In this study, we conducted 16S rDNA and ITS1 amplicon sequencing to examine the microbial diet of feather mites. We characterized and compared the diversity and composition of bacteria and fungi in the bodies of mites living on feathers of the Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea, to microbial assemblages present on the same feathers. We found less diverse, more compositionally similar microbial assemblages within mites than on feathers. We also found that mites were resource‐selective. Based on the identity and known functions of microbes found within and presumably preferred by mites, our results suggest that these mites selectively consume feather‐degrading microbes. Therefore, our results support the proposition that mites confer benefits to their hosts. This study provides insight into symbioses operating at multiple biological levels, highlights the ecological and evolutionary importance of the synergistic interactions between species, and greatly expands our understanding of feather mite biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we describe Euroglyphus pericosp. nov. from a nest of a mammal, probably Peromyscus sp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae), from Durango, Mexico. As this new species combines features of the genera Euroglyphus and Gymnoglyphus, Gymnoglyphus is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of Euroglyphus. An updated diagnosis of the genus Euroglyphus and a key to species of the World are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetodactylus krombeini (Acariformes: Astigmata: Chaetodactylidae) mites are kleptoparasites of solitary bees in the genus Osmia and depend on bee hosts for harbourage, nutrition, and dispersal, with infestations increasing morbidity and larval mortality. The life history traits of C. krombeini are unclear, complicating the control efforts of mites in managed bee nests. Mites in the family Chaetodactylidae have a facultative life stage, the heteromorphic deutonymph, used for either dispersal or dormancy when food resources are sparse. The heteromorphic deutonymph life stage is hypothesized to consist only of females, requiring arrhenotokous parthenogenesis to reproduce. This study examined this hypothesis by determining the sex of the adults that developed from each deutonymph morph. Phoretic deutonymphs were isolated after overwintering either with or without a bee host; inert deutonymphs were isolated from field collections from various locations. Mites were individually observed for 14 days, and development was recorded. Mites that reached adulthood were sexed. After 14 days, 32–38% of heteromorphic deutonymphs that reached adulthood were male. These results disprove the previous hypothesis that heteromorphic deutonymphs are exclusively female. The survival and reproductive strategies of C. krombeini are now in question, specifically the role of true arrhenotoky in founding new mite populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores sustainable agricultural practices by examining the role of organic materials in enhancing native predatory mites for controlling spider mites in apple orchards. Developing techniques to conserve indigenous natural enemies is vital for sustainable agricultural production. Phytoseiid mites can control spider mites, which are among the most significant pests in apple production. To conserve phytoseiid mite populations, it is important to identify alternative prey and to determine their role in phytoseiid mite proliferation. We demonstrated that the concurrent use of specific organic fertilizers and coconut husks can increase prey Tyrophagus mites, thereby enhancing phytoseiid mite density. Our research was conducted using sticky traps at the Miyagi Prefectural Agriculture and Horticulture Research Center in Japan. The occurrence of Tyrophagus mites was significantly correlated with the occurrence of phytoseiid mites in 2 years. In laboratory experiments, the use of organic fertilizers increased the density of Tyrophagus mites by 83 × within 4 weeks. Several species of phytoseiid mites were able to lay between 0.25 and 1.03 eggs per day per female by preying on Tyrophagus larvae. A 2-year field survey revealed that the use of organic fertilizers more than doubled the density of phytoseiid mites on apple leaves, likely through promoting Tyrophagus mite proliferation on the ground. These results highlight the potential of organic fertilizers not only to enhance soil nutrients, but also to boost phytoseiid mite populations, thereby contributing to more sustainable apple production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Schwiebea Oudemans (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) includes notable agricultural pests that are widely distributed across diverse ecological environments. Despite their economic significance, mites of this genus in Thailand have been insufficiently studied. This research describes a new species, Schwiebea citraesp. nov., collected from the roots of pomelo, Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr., contributing to the broader knowledge of acarid diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

نُفّذ البحث في مخابر قسم وقاية النبات (كلية الزراعة، جامعة دمشق) خلال 2022-2023. تمّ في هذه الدراسة تسجيل تواجد مجتمعين من الأكاروس Tyrophagus longior (Gervais) (Acari: Acaridae)، وُجدت أفراد هذا النوع بأطوارها المختلفة (بيوض، يرقات، حوريات، حيوانات كاملة) وبأعداد كبيرة في العينات العائدة إلى أوراق أشجار التوت الأسود Morus nigra (مزرعة أبو جرش، كلية الزراعة)، وفي الأوساط المغذية لفطر العفن الرمادي Botrytis cinerea (مركز البحوث العلمية الزراعية في السويداء) متغذية على الأبواغ والمشيجة الفطرية. ينتمي الأكاروس T. longior إلى فصيلة Acaridae المندرجة ضمن تحت-رتبة عديمة الثغور التنفسية Astigmata ويُعد من الآفات الهامة على المواد المخزونة وعلى عدد كبير من المزروعات وكذلك على المنتجات من أصل نباتي، بالإضافة إلى وجوده في أعشاش الطيور والنحل الطنان والفئران، وتشير عدة دراسات مرجعية إلى تواجده في المزارع الفطرية. الأكاروس له جسم شفاف إلى عديم اللون، وتتلون أجزاء الفم والأرجل حسب القيمة الغذائية للعائل، الأنثى أكبر بوضوح من حيث الحجم من الذكر. يُعد هذا التسجيل هو الأول لهذا الأكاروس في لمطقة الجنوبية من سورية، ويُضيف هذا التسجيل عوائل جديدة للأكاروس T. longior ولـِ فاونا الأكاروسات Acarofauna في سورية.

The effects of ectosymbiotic feather mites on avian host fitness and factors driving the variation in mite infestation levels, such as host mating and brood care system, are poorly understood. We investigated patterns of feather mite prevalence and abundance, and relationships between infestation and body condition in breeding Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola, a promiscuous songbird with female-only parental care. In plumage, the dominant mite species was Trouessartia bifurcata, whose prevalence more than doubled during the breeding season, to reach 95% (95% confidence limits 71–99) during the second-brood period. Approximately 5% of birds were co-infested with Proctophyllodes cf. clavatus. While mite prevalence did not differ between sexes, mite abundance was significantly greater in Aquatic Warbler females than in males, and it increased between the first- and the second-brood period irrespective of sex. No significant relationship was found between mite prevalence or abundance and host condition expressed as mass scaled to size. However, in breeding females, this relationship could be confounded by the effects of nest-dwelling ectoparasites present in some nests but only sporadically if at all detected on adult birds; 2% of adult birds were heavily infested with the hematophagous mite Dermanyssus hirundinis (Mesostigmata). Our findings indicate that the mating system may affect symbiont variability between and within host species. The high prevalence of feather mites on adult birds at the late stage of the breeding season supports the hypothesis that promiscuous species have high infestation levels. Greater mite loads on Aquatic Warbler females than males reveal a different pattern from previously studied birds. However, we did not identify any consequences of mite infestation for the female body condition or current breeding success; hence, the apparently commensal relationship does not imply costs of female promiscuity.

The Okinawa Rail, Hypotaenidia okinawae (Yamashina and Mano, 1981), is a flightless bird restricted to the northern part of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. A new feather mite species, Metanalges (M.) agachi sp. n. (Analgidae: Megniniinae), is described from the Okinawa Rail. The new species is distinguished from the closest species, M. (M.) curtus Gaud and Mouchet, 1959, in having, in males, legs III extending slightly beyond the bases of setae h2, and setae ps1 approximately equidistant from setae h2 and h3, and in females, ventral setae 4a almost extending to the posterior margin of opisthosoma. This is the first report of feather mites associated with this avian host and the first record of the genus Metanalges Trouessart, 1919 in Japan. As the Okinawa Rail is considered to be at high risk of population decline, the new feather mite is thought to be under the risk of extinction.

Changes in the functional shape of astigmatan mite moveable digit profiles are examined to test if Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) is a trophic intermediate between a typical micro-saprophagous carpoglyphid (Carpoglyphus lactis) and a common macro-saprophagous glycyphagid (Glycyphagus domesticus). Digit tip elongation in these mites is decoupled from the basic physics of optimising moveable digit inertia. Investment in the basal ramus/coronoid process compared to that for the moveable digit mastication length varies with feeding style. A differentiated ascending ramus is indicated in C. lactis and in T. putrescentiae for different trophic reasons. Culturing affects relative investments in C. lactis. A markedly different style of feeding is inferred for the carpoglyphid. The micro-saprophagous acarid does not have an intermediate pattern of trophic functional form between the other two species. Mastication surface shape complexity confirms the acarid to be heterodontous. T. putrescentiae is a particularly variably formed species trophically. A plausible evolutionary path for the gradation of forms is illustrated. Digit form and strengthening to resist bending under occlusive loads is explored in detail. Extensions to the analytical approach are suggested to confirm the decoupling of moveable digit pattern from cheliceral and chelal adaptations. Caution is expressed when interpreting ordinations of multidimensional data in mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini Claparédè has been identified as a common pest attacking saffron corms. This mite is also a saprophytic species that is able to feed on fungi (mycelium). It has also been demonstrated that some soilborn fungi can attack and establish on saffron corms. After related fungi were isolated and identified either in saffron corms and mite bodies, the fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht was the most abundant species in both samples; subsequently, it was used in the experiments. For studying the role of soil-borne fungi on life-table parameters of the mite, an even-aged cohort of eggs was obtained and transferred to experimental units to feed on saffron corm sections in two groups (fungal-infected and non-infected corms) in laboratory conditions. A total of 36 individuals were used for each treatment. The life-history data were analyzed according to the age-stage, two-sex life table model. Results showed that total pre-adult development of R. robini was significantly faster on Fusarium-infected rather than healthy corms (10.91 and 11.48 days respectively, P < 0.05). Adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) was significantly shorter when females were reared on fungal-infested than non-infested corms (1.84 and 2.88 days, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, survivorship and fecundity of the mite on the two diets indicated higher rates and consequently, the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 for both parameters) (202.07 and 351.13 offspring for R0 and 0.218 and 0.251 day-1 for r respectively on non-infested and infested diets). According to the results obtained, the soil-borne fungus affected demographic parameters of the bulb mite and it supports the hypothesis that the mite prefers plant tissues infected with soil-borne fungi because these are more suitable hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehending symbiont abundance among host species is a major ecological endeavour, and the metabolic theory of ecology has been proposed to understand what constrains symbiont populations.We parameterized metabolic theory equations to investigate how bird species' body size and the body size of their feather mites relate to mite abundance according to four potential energy (uropygial gland size) and space constraints (wing area, total length of barbs and number of feather barbs). Predictions were compared with the empirical scaling of feather mite abundance across 106 passerine bird species (26,604 individual birds sampled), using phylogenetic modelling and quantile regression.Feather mite abundance was strongly constrained by host space (number of feather barbs) but not by energy. Moreover, feather mite species' body size was unrelated to the body size of their host species.We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of the bird–feather mite system and for symbiont abundance in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new feather mite species, Mycterialges boycianae sp. nov. (Xolalgidae), was identified from the Oriental Stork, Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe, 1873, in Korea. Males of M. boycianae sp. nov. are distinguished from Mycterialges mesomorphus Gaud & Atyeo, 1981, in having a single triangular prodorsal shield, sinuous margins of the opisthosoma located between setae e2 and h2 on the hysteronotal shield, an oval-shaped epiandrum without posterior extensions, a shorter tibia + tarsus IV than femoragenu IV, and an absent ambulacral disc of leg IV. Females differ in having a prodorsal shield with a posterior margin that is blunt-angular, and a concave posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield with posterior extensions. This study presents the first record of the feather mite genus Mycterialges in birds of the genus Ciconia (Ciconiidae). Additionally, we determined the phylogenetic relationship among Ingrassiinae using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of ectosymbiotic feather mites on avian host fitness and factors driving the variation in mite infestation levels, such as host mating and brood care system, are poorly understood. We investigated patterns of feather mite prevalence and abundance, and relationships between infestation and body condition in breeding Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola , a promiscuous songbird with female-only parental care. In plumage, the dominant mite species was Trouessartia bifurcata, whose prevalence more than doubled during the breeding season, to reach 95% (95% confidence limits 71-99) during the second-brood period. Approximately 5% of birds were co-infested with Proctophyllodes cf. clavatus . While mite prevalence did not differ between sexes, mite abundance was significantly greater in Aquatic Warbler females than in males, and it increased between the first- and the second-brood period irrespective of sex. No significant relationship was found between mite prevalence or abundance and host condition expressed as mass scaled to size. However, in breeding females, this relationship could be confounded by the effects of nest-dwelling ectoparasites present in some nests but only sporadically if at all detected on adult birds; 2% of adult birds were heavily infested with the hematophagous mite Dermanyssus hirundinis (Mesostigmata). Our findings indicate that the mating system may affect symbiont variability between and within host species. The high prevalence of feather mites on adult birds at the late stage of the breeding season supports the hypothesis that promiscuous species have high infestation levels. Greater mite loads on Aquatic Warbler females than males reveal a different pattern from previously studied birds. However, we did not identify any consequences of mite infestation for the female body condition or current breeding success; hence, the apparently commensal relationship does not imply costs of female promiscuity., Competing Interests: None., (© 2024 The Authors.)

A new feather mite species, Mycterialgesboycianae sp. nov. (Xolalgidae), was identified from the Oriental Stork, Ciconiaboyciana Swinhoe, 1873, in Korea. Males of M.boycianae sp. nov. are distinguished from Mycterialgesmesomorphus Gaud & Atyeo, 1981, in having a single triangular prodorsal shield, sinuous margins of the opisthosoma located between setae e 2 and h 2 on the hysteronotal shield, an oval-shaped epiandrum without posterior extensions, a shorter tibia + tarsus IV than femoragenu IV, and an absent ambulacral disc of leg IV. Females differ in having a prodorsal shield with a posterior margin that is blunt-angular, and a concave posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield with posterior extensions. This study presents the first record of the feather mite genus Mycterialges in birds of the genus Ciconia (Ciconiidae). Additionally, we determined the phylogenetic relationship among Ingrassiinae using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Jeong Hun Shim, Yeong-Deok Han, Sukyung Kim, Dongsoo Ha, Yongun Shin, Soo Hyung Eo.)