Prevalence and new host records of nasal mites (Acari: Rhinonyssidae: Ereynetidae: Turbinoptidae) in birds from Arkansas and Illinois (United States)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Avian nasal mites are obligate endoparasites that spend their entire life in the respiratory system of birds. In North America, bird nasal mites are represented by several unrelated families in three orders of mites: Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata), Ereynetidae (Trombidiformes), and Cytoditidae and Turbinoptidae (Sarcoptiformes). The most-diverse and commonly encountered family of nasal mites is Rhinonyssidae, in which mite species may have different levels of specificity to host orders, families, or even to species. In this study, birds from Arkansas and Illinois in the United States were surveyed for nasal mites. Of 430 birds examined, 58 individuals (13.4%) and 30 of 106 bird species (28%) were infested with nasal mites. Levels of mite prevalence were similar to results reported from previous studies (25-45% of species). The 58 infested birds with nasal mites belonged to 4 orders, 11 families, 24 genera, and 30 species. Rhinonyssidae was the most commonly found family and was represented by 15 species. Nineteen new North American host records are added, the majority being found within the bird families Parulidae and Emberizidae. Three new host records are added in Turdidae and Accipitridae with nasal mites from the families Ereynetidae and Turbinoptidae.