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Rhinonyssids are obligate hematophagous mites that parasitize the nasal cavity of domestic and wilds birds worldwide. For the first time, two species of nasal mites of the genus Rhinonyssus from Estonia are described. One species of nasal mite, Rhinonyssus pluvialis Fain et Johnston, 1966, is described and illustrated based on material from Pluvialis apricaria Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes, Charadriidae). Another species of nasal mite, Rhinonyssus tringae Fain, 1963, is described and illustrated based on material from Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes, Scolopacidae). The bird hosts were collected in Estonia, Puhato järv. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinonyssids are obligate hematophagous mites that parasitize the nasal cavity of domestic and wilds birds worldwide. For the first time, two species of nasal mites of the genus Rhinonyssus from Estonia are described. One species of nasal mite, Rhinonyssus pluvialis Fain et Johnston, 1966, is described and illustrated based on material from Pluvialis apricaria Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes, Charadriidae). Another species of nasal mite, Rhinonyssus tringae Fain, 1963, is described and illustrated based on material from Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 (Charadriiformes, Scolopacidae). The bird hosts were collected in Estonia, Puhato järv.

Nasal mites are endoparasites that spend their entire life cycle inside the nasal cavities and respiratory passages of birds. The brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783) (hereafter BHCO), is an icterid bird that uses brood parasitism as a reproductive strategy in which it lays eggs in the nests of other bird species and allows the host to raise its young. Interestingly, nasal mites previously collected from brown-headed cowbirds represent some species shared by other icterids and others known from common host taxa. In this study, we examined how nasal mite species richness and prevalence differed geographically across three of the four migratory flyways of North America in a large sample size of BHCO. In total, ~4000 nasal mites (~3900 Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) and 85 Ereynetidae (Trombidiformes)), representing nine species, were recovered from 856 cowbirds with a prevalence of 89%. Nasal mite prevalence was not significantly related with geographic location or host sex, suggesting that patterns of infection in BHCO occur similarly in all locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the family Rhinonyssidae are tiny hematophagous endoparasitic mites that inhabit the nasal cavities of birds and can cause trauma to their hosts. Traditionally, identifying species in this group has relied on observing their morphometrical characteristics. Nevertheless, determining species within this particular group has become more challenging due to the rising number of newly discovered species. Moreover, the morphometrical traits vary depending on the specific genus or group of species being studied. In this study, the complete internal transcribed spacer ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions of the ribosomal DNA from eighteen species of rhinonyssid mites belonging to four genera were sequenced to assess the utility of this genomic region in resolving taxonomic questions in this group and to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among the species. Mites were collected by dissecting the nasal cavities of birds under a stereomicroscope. Specimens used for morphometrical analyses were cleared in 85% lactic acid for 1–48 h and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Other specimens were preserved at −20 °C for molecular studies. From the data obtained in this study, it can be concluded that a thorough review and an accurate morphometrical identification and determination of the discriminatory traits are needed in this group of mites. Moreover, although the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 fragment solves different taxonomic and phylogenetic problems at the species level, it would be necessary to test new molecular markers, or even a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers or different domains of the nuclear 28S rDNA, to discover a reliable taxonomic situation for rhinonyssids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the family Rhinonyssidae are tiny hematophagous endoparasitic mites that inhabit the nasal cavities of birds and can cause trauma to their hosts. Traditionally, identifying species in this group has relied on observing their morphometrical characteristics. Nevertheless, determining species within this particular group has become more challenging due to the rising number of newly discovered species. Moreover, the morphometrical traits vary depending on the specific genus or group of species being studied. In this study, the complete internal transcribed spacer ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions of the ribosomal DNA from eighteen species of rhinonyssid mites belonging to four genera were sequenced to assess the utility of this genomic region in resolving taxonomic questions in this group and to estimate the phylogenetic relationships among the species. Mites were collected by dissecting the nasal cavities of birds under a stereomicroscope. Specimens used for morphometrical analyses were cleared in 85% lactic acid for 1–48 h and mounted in Hoyer’s medium. Other specimens were preserved at −20 °C for molecular studies. From the data obtained in this study, it can be concluded that a thorough review and an accurate morphometrical identification and determination of the discriminatory traits are needed in this group of mites. Moreover, although the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 fragment solves different taxonomic and phylogenetic problems at the species level, it would be necessary to test new molecular markers, or even a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers or different domains of the nuclear 28S rDNA, to discover a reliable taxonomic situation for rhinonyssids.

Respiratory systems of birds may be parasitized by rhinonyssid and ereynetid mites, which are commonly found in their nasal cavities. Levels of infection caused by mites in relation to maturity and gender of birds have been poorly investigated. Although Columba livia is the host of both Tinaminyssus and Trispeleognathus species worldwide, there are no data on prevalence and mean intensity of infection by mites in immature and adult males and females. Therefore, this study aims to analyze infections in relation to characteristics of hosts in southern Brazil. In the sample of 160 birds under study, 24.38% were parasitized by rhinonyssid mites (Tinaminyssus melloi and Tinaminyssus columbae) while 5.0% were infested with ereynetid ones (Trispeleognathus striatus). Infections by rhinonyssid mites in immature and adult birds, as well as in male and female ones, were similar and there were no significant differences in prevalence and mean intensity of infection. However, when infections were analyzed separately, prevalence of T. melloi was significantly higher in immature (19.77%) than in adult (6.76%) birds (p = 0.021). Ereynetid mites, which parasitized only males, were more prevalent in adult (9.46%) than in immature (1.16%) birds (p = 0.025). Reproductive and behavioral characteristics of C. livia (e.g., year-round breeding and social behavior) may enable transmission and maintenance of mite populations, since direct contact among hosts and the presence of mites in their nests are considered forms of transmission. Even though information on the life history of mites is important to understand parasite-host relations, there is a gap in the biology of species commonly found in C. livia, which constitutes an area to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rhinonyssid mites are permanent parasites of birds that inhabit their respiratory tract. There are around 600 species described worldwide and almost all species of birds are found to have embedded rhinonyssid mites. Despite their presumed relevance, these mites are largely unstudied due to the difficulty in sampling them and, therefore, the majority of mite-host associations and species-prevalence data are unknown. New information In this study, 179 mite specimens belonging to 27 species and eight genera were identified. Notably, 18 new mite-bird associations were documented for the first time, thus increasing the known host range for these mite species. In addition, mite-host associations found in this study were compared with known associations from these species of birds in the European part of Russia and in Europe. Overall, this study represents the largest survey to date carried out on rhinonyssid mites in Russia and one of the most comprehensive datasets on rhinonyssid host-range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) is a family of nasal mites only found in birds. All species are hematophagous endoparasites, which may damage the nasal cavities of birds, and also could be potential reservoirs or vectors of other infections. However, the role of members of Rhinonyssidae as disease vectors in wild bird populations remains uninvestigated, with studies of the microbiomes of Rhinonyssidae being almost non-existent. In the nasal mite (Tinaminyssus melloi) from rock doves (Columba livia), a previous study found evidence of a highly abundant putatively endosymbiotic bacteria from Class Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we expanded the sample size of this species (two different hosts- ten nasal mites from two independent samples per host), incorporated contamination controls, and increased sequencing depth in shotgun sequencing and genome-resolved metagenomic analyses. Our goal was to increase the information regarding this mite species and its putative endosymbiont. We obtained a metagenome assembled genome (MAG) that was estimated to be 98.1% complete and containing only 0.9% possible contamination. Moreover, the MAG has characteristics typical of endosymbionts (namely, small genome size an AT bias). Overall, our results support the presence of a potential endosymbiont, which is the first described for avian nasal mites to date, and improve the overall understanding of the microbiota inhabiting these mites.

Rhynonyssidae is a family of endoparasitic hematophagous mites, which are still largely unknown even though they could act as vector or reservoir of different pathogens like dermanyssids. Sampling requirements have prevented deeper analysis. Rhinonyssids have been explored in a few host specimens per species, leading to undetailed morphological descriptions and inaccurate epidemiology. We explore the relationships established between these parasites in two Columbiformes urban birds (domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto)), assesing 250 individuals of each type in Seville (Spain). As expected, Mesonyssus melloi (Castro, 1948) and Mesonyssus columbae (Crossley, 1950) were found in domestic pigeons, and Mesonyssus streptopeliae (Fain, 1962) in Eurasian collared doves. However, M. columbae was found for the first time in Eurasian collared doves. This relationship could be common in nature, but sampling methodology or host switching could also account for this result. An additional unknown specimen was found in a Eurasian collared dove, which could be a new species or an aberrant individual. We also provide an epidemiological survey of the three mite species, with M. melloi being the most common one followed by M. streptopeliae and M. columbae. High variation between previous epidemiological measurements and ours highlights the importance of developing deeper studies to uncover the factors regulating mite prevalence and intensities of infection.

Mites (Acari, Acariformes, Parasitiformes) are one of the most diverse and abundant groups of arthropods associated with birds. Several families of mites have colonised the respiratory tract of birds, the Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) being the most diverse. There are 66 species of rhinonyssids (59 named, seven undescribed species) reported from Canadian birds. Two new species of rhinonyssids were discovered while surveying nasal mites from birds in Manitoba, Canada, and are herein described as Sternostoma gallowayi sp. n. from the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), and Vitznyssus erici sp. n. from the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of avian nasal mites has been incompletely studied in South America and most reports have been made on the fauna of Brazil, especially from the 1940s to 1970s. Recently, the development of new research has contributed records of species not previously reported in the country. As a result, a compilation of records of nasal mites (Astigmata: Cytoditidae, Turbinoptidae; Prostigmata: Ereynetidae; Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae) of birds in Brazil is presented. One hundred and twenty-four species of nasal mites were recorded parasitizing 168 bird species. The Rhinonyssidae was the family with the highest number of mites reported (108 species). Most nasal mite hosts in Brazil are native birds, however, mites have also been reported parasitizing captive exotic birds, as well as introduced species and domesticated birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of cryptic species allows to describe and to understand biodiversity, and the evolutionary processes shaping it. Mites of the family Rhinonyssidae are permanent parasites of the nasal cavities of birds, currently including about 500 described species and 12 genera. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mites from five populations of the genus Tinaminyssus—three isolated from European turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur), and two from Eurasian collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto; Aves: Columbiformes)—are, in fact, two cryptic species inhabiting different hosts. First, we performed a morphometrical study on 16 traits. Then, we used the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 nuclear region (ITS region), and a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase 1 (COI) to carry out phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses on Tinaminyssus species. Morphological analyses revealed a lack of biometric differentiation among Tinaminyssus populations from the two host species. However, molecular analyses indicated a high degree of genetic differentiation between populations of Tinaminyssus sp. from S. turtur and S. decaocto. Overall, results show that they can be considered as different cryptic species, suggesting a case of evolutionary stasis, likely because of the anatomical similarity between closely-related bird host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasal mites occur in different groups of birds, but little is known about their diversity associated with seabirds. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of nasal mites in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), and to study their parasitological indices. For that purpose, the nasal cavity of 99 Magellanic Penguin found in the southern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was dissected and examined. Rhinonyssus sphenisci (Rhinonyssidae) occurred in 17 hosts (17.2%) with mean intensity of 11.52 mites/host. There were no significant differences in prevalence and mean intensity of infection between male and female hosts. Rhinonyssus sphenisci had already been reported in S. magellanicus; however, there had been no information on parasitological indices. Therefore, this study reported infection levels of R. sphenisci in S. magellanicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined 122 specimens of Chrysomus ruficapillus (Vieillot, 1819) from southern Brazil for nasal mites. The mites, Sternostoma strandtmanni Furman, 1957; Ptilonyssus sairae (Castro, 1948); Ptilonyssus icteridius (Strandtmann and Furman, 1956); and Ptilonyssus sp. were identified. Ptilonyssus sairae was the most prevalent (14.8%), and S. strandtmanni had the highest mean infection intensity (5.53). Co-infections occurred in 15 hosts, and P. sairae and P. icteridius were simultaneously present in 11 birds. This is the first record of S. strandtmanni and P. sairae in C. ruficapillus and the southernmost record of P. icteridius in the Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortalities in a flock of canaries ( Serinus canaria) with respiratory acariasis, pododermatitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and macrorhabdosis were investigated by postmortem examination. After a thorough parasitologic study, the tracheal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus morofskyi. Cleaning and disinfection of cages and perches, ivermectin application on the cervical skin of individual birds, enrofloxacin medication, and drinking water acidification with vinegar were used to control mortality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of Ptilonyssus species in captive passerine birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a case of severe respiratory acariasis by Sternostoma tracheacolum was researched in a specimen of Chloebia gouldiae with the objective of determining the parasitized organs, infestation level, as well as to describe the main anatomopathological lesions found. The arachno-pathological diagnosis confirmed the presence of the respiratory mite S. tracheacolum in the trachea, lungs and air sacs. The trachea proved to be the most parasitic organ. Macroscopically, the anatomopathological lesions found were: catarrhal sinusitis, mucohemorrhagic tracheitis, congestion, pulmonary edema, bronchopneumonia and aereosaculitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During an examination of the parasite fauna of the Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata from the Mari Menuco lake in the Northwestern Argentinean Patagonia, nasal mite specimens belonging to Rallinyssus caudistigmus were found. This is the southernmost record of R. caudistigmus in F. armillata as a new host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nasal mite species, Larinyssus iohanssenae n. sp. (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), is described on the basis of the material obtained from the Common Tern Sterna hirundo Linnaeus (Charadriiformes: Sternidae) collected in Leningrad province, Russia. Larinyssus iohanssenae n. sp. is distinguished from closely related species Larinyssus substerna Butenko, 1975 by the absence of dorsal shields or shieldlets on idiosoma, the absence of sternal shield, and the presence of the narrow genital shield which is approximately four times longer than its width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of nasal mites, Rhinonyssus kadrae n. sp. (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), collected from the Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 (Anseriformes: Anatidae) from the Leningrad Province, Russia, is described. Rhinonyssus kadrae n. sp. is characterized by the following features: large oval form with 1 podosomal shield strongly sclerotized trapezium-shaped form, and without mesosomal shieldlets and sternal shield; anal shield strongly sclerotized, and two anal setae situated lateral to this shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds are host to a wide assemblage of parasitic arthropods, including mites (Acari), lice (Phiraptera) and fleas (Siphonaptera). A new species of nasal mite, Sternostoma zini n. sp. (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), collected from the Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) from Leningrad province, Russia, is described and illustrated. Sternostoma zini n. sp. is most similar to Sternostoma cuculorum Fain, 1956, which was also described from Cuculus canorus. These two species are distinguishable by several characteristics, such as the shape of the opisthosomal and genital shields, as well as opisthosomal and hypostomal chaetotaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new nasal mites of the genus Vitznyssus Castro, 1948 was described from European nightjar, genus Caprimulgus (Caprimulgidae), found in the Leningrad Province, Russia: Vitznyssus tsachevi n. sp. from Caprimulgus europaeus L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studying Rhinonyssid taxonomy is engaged many researchers all over the world. Russia is a place for much of the published research on the nasal mites. But Leningrad region was not investigated yet. The present note is based on 21 weeks intensive field collecting in Leningrad province. For the period March-July 2010 in the Leningrad province were studied 671 specimens, which relate to 23 species, 18 genera, 13 families, 5 orders. 85 specimens (13%) out of all examined birds were parasitized by Rhinonyssidae. Parasite mites belong to the genera Ptilonyssus and genera Tinaminyssus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??The complete internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA and a 390-bp region of the 16S rDNA gene from five taxa belonging toRhinonyssus(Rhinonyssus vanellus,Rhinonyssus tringae,Rhinonyssus neglectus,Rhinonyssus echinipesfrom Kentish plover, andRhinonyssus echinipesfrom grey plover) were sequenced to examine the level of sequence variation and the taxonomic levels to show utility in phylogeny estimation. Our data show that these molecular markers can help to discriminate between species and populations included in theRhinonyssus coniventriscomplex (R. tringae,R. neglectus,R. echinipes), which are morphologically very close and difficult to separate by classic methods. A comparative study with sequences from other rhinonyssid mites previously published was also carried out. The resulting phylogenetic tree inferred from ITS1?5.8S?ITS2 region sequences obtained in this paper, together with those from other 11 taxa of rhinonyssid, shows slight differences from the current taxonomy of the Rhinonyssidae. This study appeals for the revision of the taxonomic status of theR. coniventriscomplex, as well as for the species included within it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) is a family of nasal mites only found in birds. All species are hematophagous endoparasites, which may damage the nasal cavities of birds, and also could be potential reservoirs or vectors of other infections. However, the role of members of Rhinonyssidae as disease vectors in wild bird populations remains uninvestigated, with studies of the microbiomes of Rhinonyssidae being almost non-existent. In the nasal mite (Tinaminyssus melloi) from rock doves (Columba livia), a previous study found evidence of a highly abundant putatively endosymbiotic bacteria from Class Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we expanded the sample size of this species (two different hosts- ten nasal mites from two independent samples per host), incorporated contamination controls, and increased sequencing depth in shotgun sequencing and genome-resolved metagenomic analyses. Our goal was to increase the information regarding this mite species and its putative endosymbiont. We obtained a metagenome assembled genome (MAG) that was estimated to be 98.1% complete and containing only 0.9% possible contamination. Moreover, the MAG has characteristics typical of endosymbionts (namely, small genome size an AT bias). Overall, our results support the presence of a potential endosymbiont, which is the first described for avian nasal mites to date, and improve the overall understanding of the microbiota inhabiting these mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rhynonyssidae is a family of endoparasitic hematophagous mites, which are still largely unknown even though they could act as vector or reservoir of different pathogens like dermanyssids. Sampling requirements have prevented deeper analysis. Rhinonyssids have been explored in a few host specimens per species, leading to undetailed morphological descriptions and inaccurate epidemiology. We explore the relationships established between these parasites in two Columbiformes urban birds (domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto)), assesing 250 individuals of each type in Seville (Spain). As expected, Mesonyssus melloi (Castro, 1948) and Mesonyssus columbae (Crossley, 1950) were found in domestic pigeons, and Mesonyssus streptopeliae (Fain, 1962) in Eurasian collared doves. However, M. columbae was found for the first time in Eurasian collared doves. This relationship could be common in nature, but sampling methodology or host switching could also account for this result. An additional unknown specimen was found in a Eurasian collared dove, which could be a new species or an aberrant individual. We also provide an epidemiological survey of the three mite species, with M. melloi being the most common one followed by M. streptopeliae and M. columbae. High variation between previous epidemiological measurements and ours highlights the importance of developing deeper studies to uncover the factors regulating mite prevalence and intensities of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]