Abstract
Abstract An infestation of the endangered New Zealand short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata Gray 1843, by a new species of mesostigmatid mite is described, together with the mite is life history. All six bats of a zoo colony died of septicaemia in circumstances which strongly suggest that the presence of the mites or their feeding caused a severe irritation, wh ich incited the bats to lacerate their own ears. These self-inflicted injuries may have allowed microorganisms, growing on extravasated fluids, to enter the lesions and kill the bats. This type of self-inflicted injury has apparently not been reported before for wild or captive Chiroptera.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
