Rhinonyssus sphenisci (Acari: Rhinonyssidae) in Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)

Abstract

Nasal mites occur in different groups of birds, but little is known about their diversity associated with seabirds. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of nasal mites in the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), and to study their parasitological indices. For that purpose, the nasal cavity of 99 Magellanic Penguin found in the southern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was dissected and examined. Rhinonyssus sphenisci (Rhinonyssidae) occurred in 17 hosts (17.2%) with mean intensity of 11.52 mites/host. There were no significant differences in prevalence and mean intensity of infection between male and female hosts. Rhinonyssus sphenisci had already been reported in S. magellanicus; however, there had been no information on parasitological indices. Therefore, this study reported infection levels of R. sphenisci in S. magellanicus.