Abstract
The psoroptidian mite Myocoptes musculinus (Koch, 1844) is the most common species of the family Myocoptidae (Sarcoptoidea), along with its main host, the house mouse Mus musculus Linnaeus. The present article reports the first recorded confirmation of M. musculinus on a bird - the tropical screech-owl Megascops choliba (Vieillot). Finding myocoptid mites on a non-rodent host is an additional case of predator-prey contamination.
Highlights
Mites of the family Myocoptidae Gunther, 1942 (Astigmata: Psoroptidia: Sarcoptoidea) are permanent ectoparasites associated with rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) (Bochkov 2010; OConnor 2009)
In the present study we report the finding of M. musculinus on a bird, the tropical screechowl Megascops choliba (Vieillot, 1817) (Aves: Strigidae) in Brazil
During September of 2015 a tropical screech owl Megascops choliba was kept in captivity after being attacked and injured by a dog in Mogi Mirim, São Paulo State, Brazil
Summary
Mites of the family Myocoptidae Gunther, 1942 (Astigmata: Psoroptidia: Sarcoptoidea) are permanent ectoparasites associated with rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) (Bochkov 2010; OConnor 2009). The genus Myocoptes Claparède, 1869 is the most diverse in this family, comprising 23 described species (Bochkov 2010; Bochkov and OConnor 2017), including Myocoptes musculinus (Koch, 1844) the most common species, distributed worldwide along with its main host, the house mouse Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Rodentia: Muridae).
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