A New Species of Demodex (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Observed in the Mouflon, Ovis aries musimon (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) with Data on the Parasitism and Occurrence of Other Ectoparasites †.

Simple Summary: The aim of the study was to analyse the community of parasitic mites in mouflons Ovis aries musimon from the Polish population introduced from the Mediterranean area. It was important to determine whether these parasites were specific to or typical of the genus Ovis and whether foreign species had appeared with the mouflons that might pose a parasitological threat to the native fauna or, according to the theory of parasites lost, the introduction contributed to the loss of the original fauna of parasitic mites and the subsequent repopulation of the vacant microhabitats by species typical of local bovids, cervids, and other ungulates. Forty-one mouflons, obtained by hunting, were examined. Two species of mites were found, including Demodex musimonis sp. nov., previously unknown demodecid mites, probably specific to the mouflon. These discoveries were accompanied by the tick Ixodes ricinus, a parasite common in many parts of Europe with a wide host range, and Lipoptena cervi, a parasitic fly typical of ungulates. The new species represents the first finding of a skin mite of the family Demodecidae in wild representatives of the caprine Caprinae, and the present study is the first to examine the parasitic arthropods of the mouflon, including ectoparasites and skin mites. Demodex musimonis sp. nov. occurred asymptomatically in the mouflon, and as a specific species does not pose a threat to the native fauna. In contrast, the presence of I. ricinus clearly indicates a broadening of the reservoir for pathogens transmitted by epidemiologically significant ectoparasite species in Europe. A greater understanding of mite biodiversity and ecology can explain their preference for microhabitats within host bodies, i.e., as ecto-, meso-, and endoparasites. Similarly, learning about the patterns formed by mite communities in wild animals can shed light on the mechanisms of parasitosis development in their domesticated counterparts. Hence, the present study examined the acarofauna of the mouflon, introduced to Poland in the early 20th century from a region of endemic occurrence. Forty-one individuals were examined for the presence of ectoparasites between 2010 and 2013; later, skin fragments were analysed for the presence of skin mites. A new species of Demodecidae, Demodex musimonis sp. nov., was discovered in the skin of the pasterns of 14.6% mouflons, as well as the ectoparasitic tick Ixodes ricinus (prevalence 29.3%) and ungulate-typical fly Lipoptena cervi (34.1%). However, no mites typical for ovine Ovis (Psorergatidae, Psoroptidae) were noted, nor any colonisation of microhabitats by species from local ungulates, resulting from the loss of original parasites during the introduction. A comparison of the acarofauna of the mouflon and domestic sheep Ovis aries aries suggests that a mite community with a complex structure and the co-occurrence of different families may be formed. However, it is not known whether the acarofauna of domestic sheep is derived from wild ancestors or the process of domestication. Even so, the peculiar Demodecidae must have been part of the natural parasitofauna of wild sheep, of which only D. musimonis sp. nov. has been recognised so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]