Androlaelaps Fahrenholzi Research Articles

Deforestation increases the abundance of rodents and their ectoparasites in the Lacandon forest, Southern Mexico

Introduction: An important ecosystem service tropical forests provide is disease control. However, few studies have focused on analyzing how species more suitable to be zoonotic vectors are affected by deforestation. Objective: We evaluated how deforestation affects the abundance and species richness of rodents and their associated ectoparasites in Marques de Comillas, Chiapas, Southern Mexico. Methods: We captured rodents in 6 landscape units (LU), 1 km² each, with different percentages of tree cover (0.7, 5, 40, 46, 78, and 95 %). In each LU we set 90 Sherman traps that remained active 24 hours for 7 days during two sampling seasons in October 2019, and September 2020. All the captured rodents were checked for ectoparasites in their fur, which were collected to be identified at the lab. Results: We captured 70 rodents of five species: Sigmodon toltecus, Heteromys desmarestianus, Ototylomys phyllotis, Peromyscus mexicanus, and Oryzomys couesi. Rodent abundance increased with forest loss (R² = 0.706, P = 0.022). The greatest richness of rodent species occurred in sites with intermediate forest cover (40 % and 78 %). The most abundant species were S. toltecus (N = 45) followed by O. couesi (N = 9), these species dominated in sites with less forest cover. We recorded a total of 23 different ectoparasites, from these we identified 15 at the species level and eight at the genus level. We detected three species of ectoparasites (Amblyomma sp., Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi) known to be vectors of zoonotic diseases. Conclusions: We found that the ongoing loss of forests promotes the proliferation of zoonotic disease vectors, which can potentially increase the frequency of affectation among the local population.

Morphometric variation of Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) associated with three Sigmodontinae (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the north of Chile.

Androlaelaps fahrenholzi is a mite with a large distribution and associated with a wide range of hosts. To assess morphometric variation of A. fahrenholzi associated with different host species (Phyllotis xanthopygus and Akodon albiventer, both from Putre, Chile) and localities (Las Chinchillas National Reserve, Fray Jorge National Park, and Llanos de Challe National Park, all in Chile and all from the host Phyllotis darwini), 41 morphological characters of each specimen were measured, and principal component analysis and discriminant analysis were used. Both analyses showed two groups separated for species of rodents. Mites associated with P. xanthopygus are smaller than those of A. albiventer. The analysis by location indicates two groups: group 1 comprises all mites collected from Fray Jorge National Park and Las Chinchillas National Reserve, and group 2 comprises only mites from Llanos de Challe National Park. These results indicate that A. fahrenholzi population can vary between hosts and geographical areas. Molecular analysis would be necessary to validate these results and determine whether they are subspecies or different species.

Mites and Lice of Peri-Domestic Rodents Captured at a Mayan Community of Yucatán State, México

The main ectoparasites of small rodents at a Mayan community of Yucatan State, southeastern Mexico were determined. Rodents were trapped in peridomestic areas of 20 houses from March to September 2016. Ectoparasites were removed from the rodents and morphologically identified. Total rodents infested were 22.9% (53/231). Prevalence of ectoparasites by rodent species was 65% (13/20) on Sigmodon toltecus Saussure, 50% (4/8) on Peromyscus yucatanicus J.A. Allen & Chapman, 37.5% (3/8) on Heteromys gaumeri J.A. Allen & Chapman, 25% (30/120) on Rattus rattus L., and 4% (3/75) on Mus musculus L. In total, 250 ectoparasites were collected. Mites were identified as Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese) (n = 115), Echinolaelaps echidninus (Berlese) (n = 89), and Steptolaelaps heteromys Furman (n = 22), and lice were identified as Polyplax spinulosa (Burmeister) (n = 24). Results suggested association among particular ectoparasite and rodent species, i.e., P. spinulosa and E. echidninus with R. rattus. Likewise, S. heteromys was significantly associated with H. gaumeri, and A. fahrenholzi with S. toltecus. The presence of ectoparasites such as E. echidninus and P. spinulosa on peridomestic rodents indicated risk of pathogen transmission to humans in the study area; therefore, focusing on surveillance and control of rodents in household environments is imperative.

Ectoparasites of the endemic rodent Abrocoma bennetti (Hystricomorpha: Abrocomidae) from semiarid Chile

A total of 13 individuals of the Abrocoma bennetti rodent were captured and 354 ectoparasites belonging to 10 different species were collected and analyzed. The most abundant species was a Phithraptera, Monogyropus longus (62%), followed by Siphonaptera Delostichus smiti (23%). In this study Gyropus distinctus (15%) is reported as new record for A. bennetti, previously described for Octodon degus, a rodent usually living in sympatry with A. bennetti. For the first time the mites Ornithonyssus sp. and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi are recorded in this rodent species.

Fauna of gamasina mites (Gamasoidea) of small mammals of a natural region «Samarskaya Luka»

Data on fauna of gamasina mites parasitizing on small mammals are provided in article. Data are obtained during long-term monitoring of an ecological complex of small mammals of a natural and territorial complex Samarskaya Luka, which is realized since 1999. Also data on fauna of gamasina mites in 14 years of researches (20002003, 2005, 20072015 years), including literary data about the gamasina mites of this territory, are generalized and analysed. Specific accessory of 7439 individuals of mites, seven childbirth of three families relating to fifteen types is defined. Parasitizing the gamasina mites on 16 species of small mammals, including groups rodents, soricomorpha, carnivora (least weasel) is established. Domination of separate species of mites is revealed, so to eudominant Laelaps hilaris and Hirstionyssus isabellinus are belong, dominants are Hirstionyssus ellobii, Haemolaelaps glasgowi, Hyperlaelaps arvalis, L. agilis. Myonyssus rossicus, L. algericus, Haemogamasus ambulans and Hirstionyssus macedonicus were extremely rare species met in single copies. For the first time for this territory types of H. ellobii, L. micromydis, H. ambulans, H. macedonicus are noted. Conclusions on degree of a confinedness of parasites to certain types of hosts are drawn. Monohostal types: L. agilis (the host a yellow-necked mouse), L. muris (the host a tundra vole and a water vole), L. micromydis (the host a small mouse), L. algericus (the host a house mouse), H. arvalis (the host a tundra vole and a water vole), H. ellobii (the host a northern mole vole). Polihostal: H. musculi, L. hilaris, H. isabellinus, H. glasgowi, E. stabularis, H. nidi.

Specific association between the mites Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Acari: Laelapidae) and birds Premnoplex brunnescens in Costa Rica: possible evidence of a recent host switch

Androlaelaps fahrenholzi is a common, cosmopolitan mite constituting a species complex. This mite is found in nests or on mammal hosts and occasionally on birds. The specific host association between A. fahrenholzi-like mites and Premnoplex brunnescens in Costa Rica is reported here. Adults (females and males), deutonymphs and protonymphs were found on 14 P. brunnescens examined (prevalence was 100%) with mean abundance 42 (2-222). The nest environment plays an important role in the evolution of parasites and could explain the evolutionary path of Laelapinae towards parasitism. We hypothesize that the colonization of P. brunnescens took place in this context quite recently, from sympatrically living rodents. Morphology and ecology of A. fahrenholzi from P. brunnescens may constitute at least a new variation of A. fahrenholzi, and possibly a new species.

Diet and Ectoparasites of the Southern Short-Tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis) in Louisiana

Diet items and ectoparasites were identified from 15 southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) captured during a one-year study (December 2009—November 2010). Twenty different diet items were found in 13 southern short-tailed shrews. Collectively, insects made up the bulk of these shrews' diet (92%), with Diptera and Hymenoptera being most prevalent. Plant material and arachnids occurred 46% of the time. Six of the diet items identified are new reports for the southern short-tailed shrew. Nine ectoparasite species were collected from 11 of the southern short-tailed shrews, comprising 8 species of mites and one species of tick. Orycteroxenus soricis and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi were the most frequent (36%) ectoparasites collected. Two of the ectoparasites (Ornithonyssus bacoti and Ixodes scapularis) are new host records, and 5 of the 8 species of mites collected were not previously reported as occurring in Louisiana.

Ectoparasites from small mammals from the Cerrado region in the Minas Gerais state, Brazil

El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de infestación de ectoparásitos asociados a mamíferos pequeños del Cerrado en el Parque Nacional Serra do Cipó, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. De abril a septiembre de 2007, capturamos 95 mamíferos pequeños, los cuales representaron nueve especies: seis pertenecen al Orden Rodentia: Cerradomys subflavus (Wagner 1842), Nectomys squamipes (Brants 1827), Thrichomys apereoides (Lund,1939), Rhipidomys mastacalis (Lund 1840), Necromys lasiurus (Lund 1841), Oligoryzomys nigripes Olfers 1818, y tres al Orden Didelphimorphia: Gracilinanus agilis (Burmeister 1854), Marmosops incanus (Lund 1840) y Didelphis albiventris (Lund,1841). Identificamos ectoparásitos de cinco órdenes: Ixodida, Gamasida, Phthiraptera, Siphonaptera y Diptera y varias especies de ectoparasitos como: Amblyomma sp, Laelaps paulistanensis Fonseca 1936, Laelaps differens Fonseca 1936, Laelaps manguinhosi Fonseca 1936, Tur lativentralis (Fonseca 1936), Gigantolaelaps goyanensis Fonseca 1939, Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi Fonseca 1939, Androlaelaps (Haemolaelaps) fahrenholzi (Berleze 1911), Eubrachylaelaps rotundus (Fonseca1936), Mysolaelaps parvispinosus Fonseca 1936, Ctenophthirus cercomydis Ferris1922, Hoplopleura imparata Linardi 1984, Eogyropus lenti lenti Werneck 1936, Tunga penetrans (Linnaeus 1758) y Poligenes tripus (Jordania 1933). Para el parque, son nuevos todos los registros de ectoparásitos y agregamos también algunos hospederos.PALABRAS CLAVEBrasil, Cerrado, Parque Nacional Serra do Cipó, mamíferos, ectoparásitos.

Community composition of laelapine mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with the nests and fur of Cerradomys subflavus (Wagner, 1842)

Knowledge about the role of the nest environment in the life cycle of laelapine mites associated with neotropical small mammals is unclear because nests have rarely been collected. Here we use infestation data to make predictions about host–mite ecology and examine the nests of the host to assess the validity of these predictions. Spool-and-line method was used to track Cerradomys subflavus nests. We found that: the structure of mite populations infesting the body of C. subflavus, was strongly biased toward the reproductive female stage; recaptured hosts were re-infested with laelapine mites at different rates; and female hosts were not more highly infested than males. We found strong evidence of nidicoly with both, Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi. The G. vitzthumi was more abundant in the nests of female rodents and with both these mite species, we encountered males and immature mites in the nests, although not in the host fur.

Composition and seasonal changes of mesostigmatic mites (Acari) and fleas fauna (Siphonaptera) in the nests of Mus spicilegus (Mammalia: Rodentia)

AbstractTogether 22,119 individuals and 47 species of mesostigmatic mites, and 485 individuals of fleas belonging to 6 species were obtained from 16 winter nests of mound-building mouse, Mus spicilegus. The most abundant mite species were Laelaps algericus (38.2%), Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (20.9%), Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (16.9%) and Alliphis halleri (8.3%). Ctenophthalmus assimilis (87%) was the highly predominant flea, present in all the positive nests. On the basis of trophic and topic relations, mites were assorted into four ecological groups; parasites had the highest abundance (67% of all individuals). The density peak values of individual ecological mite groups differed the during season. The population peak of the predominant mite species L. algericus was in December, predominance of females was registered throughout the study period. The maximum abundance of fleas was reported in January and May.

Parasitic and Phoretic Arthropods of the Oldfield Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus) from Burned Habitats with Additional Ectoparasite Records from the Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis) and Southern Short-Tailed Shrew (Blarina carolinensis)

We recorded 12 species of parasitic or phoretic arthropods from 112 live-trapped oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus) in southeastern Georgia, U.S.A.: 1 species of sucking louse (Hoplopleura hesperomydis), 1 flea (Peromyscopsylla scotti*), 1 bot (Cuterebra fontinella*), 2 ticks (Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis), 3 mesostigmatid mites (Androlaelaps fahrenholzi, Haemogamasus liponyssoides,* and Haemogamasus longitarsus*), 2 fur mites (Glycyphagus hypudaei, Radfordia subuliger*), and 2 chiggers (Euschoengastia peromysci* and Leptotrombidium peromysci*) including the first records (asterisked names) for 7 species from this host. We recorded 4 species of arthropods, all of them mites, from 1 eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis): A. fahrenholzi, R. subuliger, E. peromysci,* and L. peromysci,* including 2 new records (asterisked) from this host. We also recorded 6 species of mites from 5 southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis): the mesostigmatids Echinonyssus blarinae and H. liponyssoides; the fur mites Asiochirus blarina,* Blarinobia simplex,* and Protomyobia blarinae;* and the chigger Comatacarus americanus,* including 4 new Georgia state records (asterisked) from this host.

New data on morphology and natural history of Deltamys kempi Thomas, 1919 (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from central-eastern Argentina

We provided new data on morphology and natural history of the rare sigmodontine rodent Deltamys kempi. Field work was conducted in Reserva Costanera Sur, Buenos Aires, central-eastern Argentina during two consecutive years. The glans penis of D. kempi is short and stocky and sub-cylindrical in appearance; the stomach is unilocular-hemiglandular; the baculum has a well developed cartilaginous portion, with two lateral digits and a central one; gall bladder is present. We also describe for the first time the soft palate and the manus and pes morphology. Soft palate, stomach, glans penis, manus and pes morphology of Deltamys is similar to Akodon, its hypothesized sister taxon. D. kempi was more frequently captured in relatively pure stands of the tall grass Cortaderia selloana. According to the available records in Argentina, D. kempi occupies preferably grassy marshes and dense gramineous patches in gallery forest. Reproductive season seems to start at the late winter-early spring and to last until the end of summer-early autumn. Stomach contents of four individuals had mainly insects and insect larvae. Ectoparasites found in D. kempi included the Acari Androlaelaps fahrenholzi, A. aff. A. rotundus and Laelaps paulistanensis, and the Siphonaptera Polygenis sp.

First report of mites (Gamasida: Laelapidae) parasitic on wild rodents in Uruguay, with new host records

Information is presented for the first time on laelapid mites associated with wild rodents in Uruguay. Specimens of the following species were identified: Laelapinae: Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese), Androlaelaps rotundus (Fonseca), Gigantolaelaps wolffsohni (Oudemans), Laelaps paulistanensis (Fonseca), Laelaps manguinhosi (Fonseca) and Mysolaelaps microspinosus Fonseca; Haemogamasinae: Eulaelaps stabularis (Koch). Most of the ectoparasite-host associations are reported for the first time. New host and locality records presented in this study are in accordance with previous findings on the same and/or related host species in nearby South American localities.

ECTOPARASITES AND OTHER EPIFAUNISTIC ARTHROPODS OF SYMPATRIC COTTON MICE AND GOLDEN MICE: COMPARISONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR VECTOR-BORNE ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Ectoparasite and epifaunistic arthropod biodiversity and infestation parameters were compared between 2 sympatric small rodent species, the cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus (Le Conte)) and golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli (Harlan)), in southern Georgia from 1992 to 2003. Because the cotton mouse is known to be a reservoir of more vector-borne zoonotic pathogens than the golden mouse, we hypothesized that it would be parasitized by more ectoparasites that are known to be vectors of these pathogens. Cotton mice (n = 202) were parasitized by 19 species of arthropods, whereas golden mice (n = 46) were parasitized by 12 species. Eleven species of arthropods were recovered from both host species, whereas 7 were recorded only from cotton mice, and 1 species only from golden mice. Infestation prevalences (percent of mice parasitized) were significantly higher for 1 species of arthropod (the tropical rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti (Hirst)) infesting cotton mice and for 4 species (the flea Peromyscopsylla scotti Fox and the mites Glycyphagus hypudaei Koch, Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese), and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese)) infesting golden mice. Mean intensities (mean per infested mouse) were significantly higher for 2 species (the flea Orchopeas leucopus (Baker) and the blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis Say) infesting cotton mice and for 2 species (G. hypudaei and A. fahrenholzi) infesting golden mice. Ectoparasites that are known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens were significantly more common on cotton mice than on golden mice. These ectoparasites included the rhopalopsyllid flea Polygenis gwyni (Fox), a vector of the agent of murine typhus; I. scapularis, the principal vector of the agents of Lyme borreliosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, and human babesiosis; and O. bacoti, a laboratory vector of several zoonotic pathogens. However, 2 species of ixodid ticks that can transmit zoonotic pathogens were recovered from both host species. These were the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis (Say), the principal vector of the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in eastern North America, and Ixodes minor Neumann, an enzootic vector of the agent of Lyme borreliosis. Overall, the cotton mouse was parasitized by significantly more ectoparasites that are known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens than was the golden mouse. These data support the hypothesis that the cotton mouse has greater epidemiological importance for zoonotic vector-borne pathogen transmission than does the golden mouse.

Ectoparasites of gray squirrels in two different habitats and screening of selected ectoparasites for bartonellae.

Gray squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, were livetrapped in 2 different habitat types, woodland (67 squirrels) and parkland (53 squirrels), in southeastern Georgia. Ectoparasites were recovered from anesthetized squirrels and compared between hosts from the 2 habitats. Because of the absence of low vegetation in parkland habitats, it was hypothesized that the ectoparasite fauna, especially ticks and chiggers, would be more diverse on woodland squirrels. The results were generally in agreement with this hypothesis. Seventeen species of ectoparasites were recovered from woodland squirrels, compared with 6 species from parkland squirrels. Five species of ticks and 3 species of chiggers parasitized the woodland squirrels compared with no ticks or chiggers on the parkland squirrels. Significantly higher infestation prevalences were recorded on woodland compared with parkland squirrels for the flea Orchopeas howardi, the tick Amblyomma americanum, and the mesostigmatid mite Androlaelaps fahrenholzi. The mean intensity for O. howardi also was significantly higher on woodland than on parkland squirrels. Because a new strain of Bartonella sp. was isolated recently from S. carolinensis in Georgia, selected ectoparasites from this study were screened for bartonellae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of the fleas and lice, but none of the mites tested, were PCR positive, suggesting that fleas, or lice, or both, might be vectors of bartonellae between squirrels. Six distinct strains of Bartonella sp. were detected, 2 in fleas and 4 in lice.

Alguns gêneros e subgêneros de Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associados com roedores e revalidados por meio de taxonomia numérica

Samples of Laelapidae collected from wild and commensal rodents in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and comprising nine operating taxonomic units were phenetically analyzed by using 44 characters of female mites. A phenogram indicated three clusters, with Androlaelaps rotundus (Fonseca, 1935) more closely related to Laelaps Koch, 1839 and Echinolaelaps Ewing, 1929 than to Androlaelaps foxi (Fonseca, 1957) and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese, 1911). Systematic changes proposed as a result of this study include the revalidation of the genus Eubrachylaelaps Ewing, 1929 to include A. rotundus; the recognition of Echinolaelaps as a subgenus of Laelaps; at least, the division of the genus Androlaelaps Berlese, 1903 into two subgenera: Androlaelaps to include A. foxi and Haemolaelaps Berlese 1910 to include A. fahrenholzi.

SEX RATIO AND AGE STRUCTURE OF GAMASID MITES FROM SMALL MAMMALS IN WESTERN YUNNAN, CHINA*

Abstract A total of 70 species of gamasid mites (7485 individuals) were collected from the body surface of 38 species of small mammals (3023 individuals) during an investigation of 13 counties of western Yunnan, China, from 1990 to 1996. Most species of gamasid mites have more females (80% 100%) than males (P <0.01). Exceptions are Haemogamasus gongshanensis where males outnumber females (P < 0.01) and Haemolaelaps glasgowi where there are similar numbers of males and females (P > 0.05). No larva was found in most of the mite species. The proportion of individuals at the immature stages (mainly protonymphs and deutonymphs) in most mite species is small (0–12.84%) compared to the adults (P < 0.01). Exceptions are Ornithonyssus bacoti and Haemolaelaps glasgowi where 62.84% and 49.48% respectively are nymphs. The biased sex ratios may reflect the probable different bloodsucking preferences and parthenogenesis of the gamasid mites. The absence of larvae and a low proportion of nymph stages in most mite species probably reflect that the larvae or nymphs of most mite species are non‐feeding or non‐blood sucking and are in their hosts' nests. Another possibility is that some species directly produce protonymphs or even deutonymphs without eggs and larvae which makes it difficult to find the larval stage.

Parasitic arthropods of sympatric meadow voles and white-footed mice at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

Twelve species of parasitic arthropods (one sucking louse, two fleas, one tick, and eight mites) were recovered from 51 meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord); whereas nine species (one sucking louse, one bot, three fleas, one tick, and three mites) were collected from 48 white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque), live-trapped on the grounds of Fort Detrick, Frederick County, MD., during 1990 and 1991. The most commonly collected arthropods from M. pennsylvanicus were the fur mite, Listrophorus mexicanus Fain (approximately 2,720 specimens); the tropical rat mite, Ornithonyssus bacoti (Hirst) (987); the laelapid mites, Laelaps kochi Oudemans (733) and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese (322); the sucking louse, Hoplopleura acanthopus (Burmeister) (121); the tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (47); and the chigger mite, Neotrombicula whartoni (Ewing) (45). Arthropod densities were lower on P. leucopus, from which the most frequently recorded species were the sucking louse, Hoplopleura hesperomydis (Osborn) (98 specimens); the fleas, Epitedia wenmanni (Rothschild) (85) and Orchopeas leucopus (Baker) (61); and the mite, A. fahrenholzi (83). Although six species of arthropods parasitized both species of rodents, only two of these, A. fahrenholzi and D. variabilis, were relatively common on both hosts. Therefore, although the habitats of both host species partially overlap, their associated parasitic arthropods remain principally host specific. The potential significance of these findings with respect to vector-borne disease transmission is discussed.

Parasitic and Phoretic Arthropods of Sylvatic and Commensal White-Footed Mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Central Tennessee, with Notes on Lyme Disease

Sixteen species of parasitic or phoretic arthropods were collected from 56 white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus, live-trapped in central Tennessee from April through November 1987. Arthropod infestation was compared for mice taken from sylvatic (woodland) versus commensal (household) habitats. Three species were recorded from hosts in both habitats: the sucking louse Hoplopleura hesperomydis, the flea Epitedia wenmanni, and the laelapid mite Androlaelaps casalis. Twelve of the 13 remaining arthropod species were taken only from mice trapped in woodland whereas the phoretic glycyphagid mite Glycyphagus hypudaei was collected only from commensal mice. Arthropod faunas on commensal hosts clearly were impoverished. The 12 additional arthropod species recorded from the woodland mice consisted of 1 nidicolous beetle, Leptinus orientamericanus; 1 bot, Cuterebra fontinella; 3 fleas, Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes, Orchopeas leucopus and Peromyscopsylla scotti; 1 tick, Dermacentor variabilis; 2 mesostigmatid mites, Androlaelaps fahrenholzi and Ornithonyssus bacoti; 3 chiggers, Comatacarus americanus, Euschoengastia peromysci, and Leptotrombidium peromysci; and 1 undescribed pygmephorid mite of the genus Pygmephorus. Two nymphal and 100 larval D. variabilis were examined for spirochetes and found to be uninfected.

Parasitic and Phoretic Arthropods of the Elephant-Eared and the Santa Cruz Kangaroo Rats

The parasitic and phoretic arthropods of the elephant-eared kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elephantinus) and Santa Cruz kangaroo rat (D. venustus) are reported; most of these represent new host records. Thirteen of 14 (93%) of D. elephantinus and 11 of 12 (92%) of D. venustus had 11 and nine arthropod species, respectively. Larval and nymphal stages of the tick Dermacentor occidentalis were the most prevalent parasite (77%) on D. elephantinus whereas the mesostigmatid mite Androlaelaps fahrenholzi was the most prevalent (56%) on D. venustus. The arthropod fauna of these two closely related rodents were similar with seven of the 14 arthropod species occurring on both host species. Two species of the host specific listrophorid mite of the genus Geomylichus were found on both hosts.