Abstract
This study was conceived to detect skin mites in social mammals through real-time qPCR, and to estimate taxonomic Demodex and further Prostigmata mite relationships in different host species by comparing sequences from two genes: mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear 18S rRNA. We determined the mite prevalence in the hair follicles of marmots (13%) and bats (17%). The high prevalence found in marmots and bats by sampling only one site on the body may indicate that mites are common inhabitants of their skin. Since we found three different mites (Neuchelacheles sp, Myobia sp and Penthaleus sp) in three bat species (Miotis yumanensis, Miotis californicus and Corynorhinus townsendii) and two different mites (both inferred to be members of the Prostigmata order) in one marmot species (Marmota flaviventris), we tentatively concluded that these skin mites 1) cannot be assigned to the same genus based only on a common host, and 2) seem to evolve according to the specific habitat and/or specific hair and sebaceous gland of the mammalian host. Moreover, two M. yumanensis bats harbored identical Neuchelacheles mites, indicating the possibility of interspecific cross-infection within a colony. However, some skin mites species are less restricted by host species than previously thought. Specifically, Demodex canis seems to be more transmissible across species than other skin mites. D. canis have been found mostly in dogs but also in cats and captive bats. In addition, we report the first case of D. canis infestation in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius). All these mammalian hosts are related to human activities, and D. canis evolution may be a consequence of this relationship. The monophyletic Demodex clade showing closely related dog and human Demodex sequences also supports this likely hypothesis.
Highlights
Demodex mites are arthropods that belong to the class Arachnida and subclass Acari
We screened for mite DNA in hair samples from three social mammal populations using the 16S rRNA gene
We only considered qPCR samples to be positive when the melting curves (Tm) were close to the Demodex control value (Tm = 72°C± 2°C) and successfully sequenced
Summary
Demodex mites are arthropods that belong to the class Arachnida and subclass Acari. Since Simon described the first Demodex in 1942, over 140 Demodex species have been identified in at least 11 orders of domestic and wild mammals [1,2,3]. Most mammals, including humans harbor Demodex mites on the skin without developing lesions or any other clinical signs [4,5,6]. Changes in the host’s cutaneous environment and immune response can lead to mite overgrowth, lesions and other clinical signs [1,7]. Demodex proliferation in hair follicles and glands, such as sebaceous, Meibomian and/or ceruminous glands, can cause a severe and prevalent dermatitis in the host [1,2,8]. Canine and feline demodicosis is a well-known example of severe dermatitis caused by the proliferation of Demodex mites [9]. An overabundance of Demodex mites has been associated with rosacea, a facial skin disorder that affects well over 16 million Americans [10] (National Rosacea Society-Rosacea.org), the role played by the mites in the pathogenesis of the disease remains unclear
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