Collections of Ectoparasitic Mites from Alaska

Abstract

This report on ectoparasitic mites from Alaska is presented to supplement the few published accounts of mites from the territory (see references). All species concerned are members of the family LAELAPTIDAE. Specimens reported were obtained from three sources: Rocky Mountain Laboratory of the United States Public Health Service, through Mr. Glen M. Kohls; United States National Museum, through Dr. E. W. Baker; and Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory of the United States Air Force, through Captain John M. Geary. Among the specimens sent by Mr. Kohls were three collections made on Nunivak Island by personnel of the Arctic Health Research Center of the United States Public Health Service at Anchorage. Unmounted specimens were prepared for study by enlisted personnel of the survey section, 498th Preventive Medicine Company, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Specimens reported in this paper were taken from rodents and birds at several widely separated localities from Nunivak Island off the coast of southwestern Alaska to Umiat and Barter Island far above the Arctic circle. Eight species are represented in these collections. In the list which follows, Rocky Mountain Laboratory is abbreviated as RML, and Arctic Health Research Center is abbreviated as AHRC. Identified specimens have been returned to the institutions from which they were obtained.