Phylogeny of Dermanyssoidea (Acari: Parasitiformes) suggests multiple origins of parasitism

B.M Oconnor,A Dowling

doi:10.1051/acarologia/20101957

Abstract

The Dermanyssoidea is an extremely diverse lineage of mites that are found as free-living predators as well as facultative and obligate parasites of mammals, birds, lepidosaurs, and various arthropod groups. The primitive condition in the group is assumed to be that of free-living predators, and parasitism is thought to have evolved numerous times throughout Dermanyssoidea. In non-phylogenetic treatments, the subfamily Hypoaspidinae (Laelapidae) has been hypothesized as the most primitive group within Dermanyssoidea, and the subfamily Laelapinae has been was suggested as the source of most parasitic lineages. This study uses the 28S region (domains 1-3) of the nuclear rDNA array to address phylogenetic relationships within Dermanyssoidea and the evolution of parasitism. Results suggest parasitism of vertebrates and arthropods has evolved a minimum of eight independent times, and the majority of these events have occurred outside of the Laelapinae.

Highlights

IntroductionParasites are widely studied because of their effects on humans, domesticated animals, and food crops, but research often focuses on how to prevent or eradicate the parasite
Parasitism has evolved many times throughout the history of life
The number of dermanyssoid mites known to be of actual human importance is miniscule compared to the diversity of parasitic lineages in the superfamily utilizing a wide range of hosts

Summary

Introduction

Parasites are widely studied because of their effects on humans, domesticated animals, and food crops, but research often focuses on how to prevent or eradicate the parasite. Parasitic dermanyssoid mites are no exception and have been studied for centuries. Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), a common blooding feeding parasite of chickens, was described and studied in the eighteenth century. The mite known as Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman, 2000, has been a major pest of honeybees worldwide, causing intense economic impacts (Sammataro et al 2000; Zhang 2000). Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini http://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/acarologia/ ISSN 0044-586-X (print). ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic) and Fanzago, 1877) transmits Western Equine Encephalitis among birds. The number of dermanyssoid mites known to be of actual human importance is miniscule compared to the diversity of parasitic lineages in the superfamily utilizing a wide range of hosts

Methods

Results

Conclusion