Microhabitat selection and adaptation of feather mites (Acari: Analgoidea) on murres and kittiwakes

Abstract

The adaptations and spatial distributions of three species of analgoid feather mites on Alaskan seabirds were studied: Alloptes conurus (Trouessart) on common and thick-billed murres and A. obtusolobus Dubinin and Laronyssus martini (Trouessart) on black-legged and red-legged kittiwakes. The mites exhibited a number of morphological features that presumably reduced their resistance to airflow. They were attached to the distal side of the barb in the trailing vane on the ventral surface of the flight feathers. This highly localized distribution pattern was consistent with general predictions based upon aerodynamic considerations. Alternatively, preening by the host bird may have limited the mites to that particular microhabitat.