Feather Mite Species Research Articles

A new feather mite species of the genus Temnalges (Acariformes: Psoroptoididae) from coots, Fulica spp. (Gruiformes: Rallidae)

A new feather mite species, Temnalges fulicae sp. n. (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae), is described from two species of coots, Fulica americana Gmelin, 1789 (type host), in Canada, and F. atra Linnaeus, 1758, in Denmark. The new species is close to other species of the genus associated with rails (Rallidae), especially to T. megalonyx Gaud, 1968, in having a long spur-like process on tibia III in males, and the prodorsal and hysteronotal shields separated by a wide area of striated tegument in females. Males of Temnalges fulicae are most clearly distinguished from T. megalonyx in having the opisthosoma rounded and without terminal and lateral clefts, and the adanal shields narrow and short. In females, the prodorsal shield has a convex posterior margin, the hysteronotal shield is roughly rectangular, and setae 4a extend to the bases of setae ps3. Additionally, we provide a world checklist and a key to Temnalges species.

A New Species of the Feather Mite Genus Grallolichus Gaud, 1960 (Acariformes: Pterolichidae): First Report of a Commensal Mite Specific to the Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica).

Feather mites of finfoots (Heliornithidae), a small gruiform family, are poorly and partly erroneously recognized. Grallolichus heliornisi sp. n. (Astigmata: Pterolichidae) is here described from the sungrebe Heliornis fulica as the first representative of the genus commonly found on close relatives of finfoots, Rallidae and Sarothuridae. This species belongs to the species group having ornamented dorsal shields and is morphologically most close to G. proctogamus inhabiting Eurasian coot (Fulica atra). Males of the new species differ from G. proctogamus mainly by the shape of opisthosomal lobes (triangular vs. rounded) and the aedeagus form (parallel sided vs. tapering distally). Females differ mainly by the shape of supranal concavity (open anteriorly vs. closed) and location of setae h1 in relation to supranal concavity (lateral vs. anterior). A key to known species of the genus Grallolichus is provided. The morphological analysis and descriptive characterization of this species, like much of the approximately 2500 feather mite species described to date, were based on mummified mite material preserved in 19th-century old museum bird specimens. These often-forgotten collections are the only source for the analysis of the acarofauna of many rare, unavailable wild or even extinct bird taxa.

First Records of Feather Mites and Haemosporidian Parasites in the Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) from the Westernmost Part of the Species Breeding Range

Host range expansions are an important factor for shaping the community of associated symbiotic organisms. Birds, as a highly mobile group of animals, are of particular interest to study with respect to the diversity and the distribution of the organisms using them as hosts during such large-scale movements. The Isabelline wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) is a species with a main breeding area in Asia, which has expanded west, towards the Balkans, since the middle of the last century. We collected feather mites and blood samples for haemosporidian parasites screening from adult and juvenile Isabelline wheatears from the westernmost edge of the species breeding area in western Bulgaria. The feather mite species Alaudicola rosickyi (Černy, 1963), previously found on other wheatear species, was found for the first time on Isabelline wheatears. One species of avian malaria parasites—Plasmodium relictum (Grassi and Feletti, 1891) (lineage SGS1)—represented the first record of a malaria parasite in this host species in Europe. Increasing the sampling in the South European populations of the species will shed light on blood parasite species diversity and will reveal if other feather mite species have followed their host during its breeding range expansion.

Three new feather mite species of the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) from birds of paradise (Passeriformes: Paradisaeidae)

Three new feather mite species of the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) are described from birds of paradise (Corvida: Paradisaeidae): Proterothrix maior sp. n. and P. modestasimilis sp. n. from the Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybatus (Pennant, 1781), and P. papuensis from the Lesser Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea minor Shaw, 1809. All three species belong to the wolffi species group, in having almost closed coxal fields III in males and parallel-sided terminal cleft in females.

A new feather mite species of the genus Mycterialges Gaud & Atyeo, 1981 (Acari, Xolalgidae) from the Oriental Stork, Ciconiaboyciana (Ciconiiformes, Ciconiidae) in Korea.

A new feather mite species, Mycterialgesboycianaesp. nov. (Xolalgidae), was identified from the Oriental Stork, Ciconiaboyciana Swinhoe, 1873, in Korea. Males of M.boycianaesp. nov. are distinguished from Mycterialgesmesomorphus Gaud & Atyeo, 1981, in having a single triangular prodorsal shield, sinuous margins of the opisthosoma located between setae e2 and h2 on the hysteronotal shield, an oval-shaped epiandrum without posterior extensions, a shorter tibia + tarsus IV than femoragenu IV, and an absent ambulacral disc of leg IV. Females differ in having a prodorsal shield with a posterior margin that is blunt-angular, and a concave posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield with posterior extensions. This study presents the first record of the feather mite genus Mycterialges in birds of the genus Ciconia (Ciconiidae). Additionally, we determined the phylogenetic relationship among Ingrassiinae using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI).

Host space, not energy or symbiont size, constrains feather mite abundance across passerine bird species.

Comprehending symbiont abundance among host species is a major ecological endeavour, and the metabolic theory of ecology has been proposed to understand what constrains symbiont populations. We parameterized metabolic theory equations to investigate how bird species' body size and the body size of their feather mites relate to mite abundance according to four potential energy (uropygial gland size) and space constraints (wing area, total length of barbs and number of feather barbs). Predictions were compared with the empirical scaling of feather mite abundance across 106 passerine bird species (26,604 individual birds sampled), using phylogenetic modelling and quantile regression. Feather mite abundance was strongly constrained by host space (number of feather barbs) but not by energy. Moreover, feather mite species' body size was unrelated to the body size of their host species. We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of the bird-feather mite system and for symbiont abundance in general.

A new feather mite of the genus Megniniella (Acariformes: Analgidae) from the Common Crane Grus grus (Gruiformes: Gruidae)

A new feather mite species, Megniniella gruophila sp. nov., is described from the Common Crane, Grus grus (Gruiformes: Gruidae), in the Stavropol Krai, European Russia, and this is the first record of the genus Megniniella from the family of cranes. The new species is most close to M. ratcliffi Mironov and Galloway, 2002 and readily differs from this species in having the following features: in both sexes, supracoxal setae scx are absent; in males, the scapular shield lacks suprategumental extensions, the hysteronotal shield bears longitudinal striae only in a small area anterior to the supranal concavity; in females, setae c3 are situated off the humeral shields, coxal setae 4b are situated posterior to the tips of the epigynum, setae e2 do not extend to the posterior margin of the opisthosoma. Taxonomic notes on the genus Megniniella and corrections of its species contents are provided. The genus was established by Gaud (1958) without designation of a type species; therefore, according to Article 13.3 of the current code of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), the authority and year of Megniniella should be referred to the subsequent paper where it was designated (Gaud & Mouchet 1959). Dimorphus calcaratus Haller, 1882, formerly included by Gaud (1968) in the genus Megniniella, is removed and placed in the genus Metanalges Trouessart, 1919 (Analgidae) with the new combination Metanalges (Agrialges) calcaratus (Haller, 1882) comb. nov. Megniniella porzanae Gaud, 1958 and M. limnocoracis Gaud and Mouchet, 1959, formerly synonymized by Gaud (1968) with Megniniella calcarata (Haller, 1882), are restored as valid species. The subspecies Megninia gallinulae maior Berlese, 1886, formerly referred by Hull (1934) to the genus Diplaegidia Hull, 1934 (Analgidae) and treated as a full species D. major, is transferred to the genus Megniniella with the new combination Megniniella maior (Berlese, 1886) comb. nov.

External and gastrointestinal parasites of the black-faced ibis Theristicus melanopis (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) in the Los Ríos region, southern Chile.

The black-faced ibis, Theristicus melanopis, is considered a useful bird species for agricultural activity because it preys upon various invertebrate and vertebrate pests. Although it is a common species in Chile, limited information is available regarding its parasites. The main objective of this study was to recover the diversity of ectoparasites and gastrointestinal helminths in black-faced ibises living in the communes of Valdivia and Panguipulli, Los Ríos region. A total of 74 specimens were received for examination from the Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre at the Universidad Austral de Chile (CEREFAS-UACh), Valdivia, in 2011-2015. Black-faced ibises were externally inspected for ectoparasites by direct examining of the plumage, and necropsies were performed to examine digestive and respiratory organs in search of endoparasites. For each taxon, prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance, and range of parasites per bird were estimated. Five species of ectoparasites and six species of helminths were identified. A total of 298 lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) belonging to four species were collected: Ardeicola melanopis (13.51%), Colpocephalum trispinum (20.27%), Ibidoecus fissisignatus (4.05%), and Plegadiphilus mamillatus (9.46%). In addition, one feather mite species, Diodochaetus melanopis (Acari: Pterolichoidea) (17.56%), was isolated. In 48 black-faced ibis (64.86%), a total of 1229 gastrointestinal helminths were found: two nematodes, Porrocaecum heteropterum (55.41%) and Baruscapillaria obsignata (24.32%); one tapeworm Eugonodaeum nasuta (20.27%); two digeneans, Echinoparyphium recurvatum (1.35%) and Strigea bulbosa (6.76%); and the acanthocephalan Sphaerirostris sp. (1.35%). The findings of the following parasites present new host-parasite associations: P. mamillatus, D. melanopis, B. obsignata, E. recurvatum, S. bulbosa, and Sphaerirostris sp. Additionally, the louse P. mamillatus, feather mite D. melanopis, platyhelminths E. nasuta, E. recurvatum and S. bulbosa, and the acanthocephalan Sphaerirostris sp. are new records for the fauna of Chile.

A new species of the feather mite genus Allodectes (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from the ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (Apodiformes: Trochilidae), in Canada

A new feather mite species, Allodectes archilochus sp. n. (Pterodectinae: Rhamphocaulini) is described from the ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris (Apodiformes: Trochilidae), in Manitoba, Canada. This is the first record of the genus Allodectes on hummingbirds in the northern part of North America. The new species is close to A. thaluraniae Hernandes, 2017, and distinguished from the latter in the following features: in both sexes, the anterior margin of the hysteronotal shield is deeply concave; in males, setae d2 are situated at the midlevel of metapodosomal sclerites, and tarsus IV is without extension on the inner margin; in females, the anterolateral extensions of the prodorsal shield do not extend to the lateral margins of propodosoma, and the anteromedian area of the hysteronotal shield is covered with dense striation. A checklist of the 15 currently known Allodectes species is provided.

Two new feather mite species (Acarina: Psoroptidia) from the Chestnut Bulbul, Hemixos castanonotus (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae), in China

Two new species of feather mites from the bird host Hemixos castanonotus Swinhoe, 1870 (Pycnonotidae) collected in China are described: Trouessartia bulbuli sp. nov. (Trouessartiidae) and Pteroherpus guangdongensis sp. nov. (Pteronyssidae). Trouessartia bulbuli sp. nov. is close to T. latisetata Gaud, 1952 and differs in having the following features: in males of T. bulbuli tibia IV has apical thorn-like process at base of solenidia φ, epimerites IVa are wide and with a small extension of irregular form on the anterior end; in females, the copulatory opening is on the small wide-angular projection (external copulatory tube) on the margin of interlobar membrane and h1 setae are filiform. Pteroherpus guangdongensis sp. nov. belongs to the hoplophorus species group and is most close to P. meghalayensis Constantinescu, 2014.The new species has the following distinctive characters: in males, a very long genital apparatus and the epiandrum with long branches, extending beyond the base of setae 4a, a pair of small additional sclerites posterior to prodorsal shield is present, and adanal shield is shaped as a small longitudinal sclerite of irregular form; in females, the hysterosomal shield is split into unpaired anterior hysteronotal sclerite shaped as shaped as dumb-bell, central sclerite of triangular form, paired lateral opisthosomal sclerites and pygidial sclerites (similar to those in other species of hoplophorus group), and the hysteronotal gland openings gl are situated on the striated tegument.

Two new species of feather mites (Acari: Psoroptidia) from the Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Schoeniparus dubius (Passeriformes: Pellorneidae) in India

Two new species of feather mites are described from the Rusty-capped Fulvetta Schoeniparus dubius (Hume) (Passeriformes: Pellorneidae) in India (Meghalaya): Proterothrix manolelii Constantinescu sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) and Trouessartia asiatica Constantinescu sp. n. (Trouessartiidae). Proterothrix manolelii belongs to the paradoxornis complex (wolffi species group) in having, in males, seta e of tarsus I lanceolate and the aedeagus long and whip-shaped. Among the other six species of the paradoxornis complex, this species appears to be closest to P. alcippeae Mironov, Literak, Hung & Capek, 2012 from the Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Schoeniparus rufogularis (Mandelli) (Passeriformes: Pellorneidae). Males of Proterothrix manolelii are distinguished from the latter in having the pentagonal structure formed by epimerites of propodosoma completely closed, the opisthosomal lobes almost three times longer than wide at base, and setae mGI and mGII lanceolate. Females of P. manolelii have the sternum about 1/3 of the total length of epimerites I, and the primary spermaduct is thickened only in distal 1/3. Trouessartia asiatica is the first species of the genus described from a bird host in the family Pellorneidae. Males of T. asiatica are clearly differentiated from related species described from birds in the family Leiotrichidae (T. cyanouropterae Constantinescu, 2016, T. alcippeae Constantinescu, 2016, and T. pauciseta Constantinescu, Chișamera, Motoc, Gustafsson, Zou, Chu and Adam, 2021), in the position and shape of the genital setae g, which are enlarged in basal 2/3rd and located far distantly from the base of genital apparatus, posterior to bases of setae 4a. Females of this species are clearly distinguished in the shape of the primary spermaduct, which is thickened along its entire length.

Two feather mite species (Alloptidae, Freyanidae) associated with the Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893) (Diomedeidae) from Japanese coastal waters

The Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893) is a seabird species included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Near Threatened (NT). We sampled two feather mite species, Diomedacarus gigas (Dubinin, 1949) and Echinacarus petaliferus (Trouessart, 1898), from the three albatross, and provided their redescriptions. This is the first record of D. gigas from the past half-century in Japan and the first report of E. petaliferus in this country. The haplotype network of partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit for D. gigas showed that six of the seven haplotypes were unique to the mites sampled from each host individual. This mite species may have a very little opportunity for horizontal transmission between host individuals since albatrosses live alone over sea areas, except the breeding period on land.

New records of feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) in China

A new feather mite species Proctophyllodes gracilitus sp. nov. is described from the mountain bulbul Ixos mcclellandii (Horsfield) (Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae) in China. The new species belongs to the mecistocaulus species-group and differs from the most similar species, P. stenophyllus Gaud & Mouchet, 1957, by having the following characters: in males of P. gracilitus, the terminal lamellae are thinner and longer (45–49×4–5) and the posterior part of the hysteronotal shield has circular lacunae; and in females setae h1 are situated at the level of posterior margin of supranal concavity, setae h2 are longer than terminal appendages, do not have enlargement in base, and setae h3 are about 2/3rds the length of terminal appendages. In addition, Proctophyllodes weigoldi Vitzthum, 1922 has been collected from the willow tit Poecile montanus (Baldenstein) (Passeriformes: Paridae) that is a new host record for this species. This species is redescribed, because it was found that specimens from Po. montanus have some minor morphological differences from specimens of the common blackbird Turdus merula Linnaeus (Passeriformes: Turdidae) (a type host) and eyebrowed thrush Turdus obscurus Gmelin (Passeriformes: Turdidae).

Report of eight feather mite species (Acari: Astigmata) from seven bird species of Accipitriformes and Strigiformes in Japan, with new records of five mite species to the country

Report of eight feather mite species (Acari: Astigmata) from seven bird species of Accipitriformes and Strigiformes in Japan, with new records of five mite species to the country

A NEW SPECIES OF THE FEATHER MITE GENUS DOLICHODECTES (ACARIFORMES: PROCTOPHYLLODIDAE) FROM THE DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER MUSCICAPA SIBIRICA (PASSERIFORMES: MUSCICAPIDAE) FROM BURYATIA

A new feather mite species, Dolichodectes sibiricus sp. n. (Pterodectinae), is described from the Dark-sided Flycatcher, Muscicapa sibirica Gmelin, JF, captured on the southern coast of Lake Baikal, Buryatia, Russia. The new species is closest to D. allocaulus (Gaud and Mouchet 1957) and D. platynocercus (Gaud and Mouchet, 1957) from Africa and is distinguished from them in the following features. In males of D. sibiricus, the lateral enlargements of opisthosomal lobes are of a complicated form and consist of distinct angular projections bearing setae f2 and rounded ledges at level of setae h2, and the aedeagus extends to the level of setae ps3; in females, the prodorsal and hysteronotal shields lack ornamentation, the terminal appendages at their bases are 2–2.5 times thicker that setae h2, and setae e2 are situated closer to the level of setae e1 than to the posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield. Brief comments on the systematics of the genus Dolichodectes, a key to the known species, an updated checklist of the world fauna, as well as host associations are provided.

Genoprotolichus tilae sp. nov. (Acariformes: Pterolichidae), a new feather mite species from Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller PLS) (Psittacidae) in Brazil

A new feather mite species Genoprotolichus tilae sp. nov. is described from the white-eyed parakeet, Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller PLS, 1776) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), from Brazil. A list of pterolichid mite genera associated with parrots (Prittaciformes) is presented, and data on Genoprotolichus species recorded from the New World are summarized. Some diagnostic features (scapular setae) of all previously described species of the genus Genoprotolichus are presented.

Feather mites of the genus Brephosceles Hull, 1934 (Acariformes: Alloptidae) from the European storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus (Procellariiformes: Hydrobatidae)

Three feather mite species of the genus Brephosceles Hull, 1934 (Alloptidae: Alloptinae) were found on the European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (Procellariiformes: Hydrobatidae), in the Mediterranean Sea and North-east Atlantic Ocean. Brephosceles holoplax sp. n. is described as a new species; B. pelagicus (Vitzthum, 1921) and B. longirostris (Vitzthum, 1921) comb. n. formerly known only from females are redescribed from both sexes. The latter species has been transferred from the genus Alloptes Canestrini, 1879. All descriptions are supported by DNA barcode data.

Differential survival and dispersal of avian feather mites with contrasting host specificities

Abstract Host specificity is a fundamental life history trait of symbionts and exists on a broad continuum from symbionts that are specific to one or a few hosts (host specialists), to those associated with multiple different host species (host generalists). However, the biological mechanisms underlying the complexity and wide variation in symbiont host specificity are poorly understood from both the symbiont and host perspectives across many symbiotic systems. Feather mites are common avian symbionts that vary in their host specificity from extreme host generalists to host specialists, even among species within the same genus. Here, we measured and compared survival probability and rate of dispersal to determine how these traits differ between two species of feather mites in the same genus: one host generalist associated with 17 host species (Amerodectes ischyros) and one host specialist with only one known host (A. protonotaria). We initially predicted that the host generalist would live longer and disperse more rapidly but discovered that while the host generalist mite survived longer, the host specialist mite dispersed more quickly. The differing environmental and ecological conditions in which the hosts of these mites are associated may explain the survival and dispersal patterns we uncovered, as differential microclimates may have led to different selective pressures on each species of mite. We also noted mite behavioural observations and suggest experiments to extend our understanding of feather mite ecology and evolution.

A new feather mite of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from the bran-colored flycatcher, Myiophobus fasciatus (Muller PLS, 1776) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae), in Brazil

ABSTRACT A new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) is described from Myiophobus fasciatus (Statius Muller, 1776) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in Brazil. Trouessartia apodemata sp. nov. differs from previously described species of the genus by the unique arrangement of epimerites around the genital apparatus in males, with the lateral tips of the epiandrum fused with epimerites IIIa anterior to the genital apparatus and epimerites IVa fused at their inner tips into a large arch posterior to it. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A0B4C7DA-5E13-4487-8D4C-CA976FEFCB59 http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:32143DF9-A583-4472-B0F9-06AD2C306441

Two new species of feather mites (Acariformes, Astigmata) from the black-tailed godwit, Limosalimosa (Charadriiformes, Scolopacidae), in Korea.

Two new species of feather mites are described from two individuals of the black-tailed godwit, Limosalimosa (Linnaeus, 1758), in Korea: Alloptes (Conuralloptes) neolimosaesp. nov. (Analgoidea, Alloptidae) and Phyllochaetalimosaesp. nov. (Pterolichoidea, Syringobiidae). Males of A. (C.) neolimosaesp. nov. are distinguished from A. (C.) limosae in having the hysteronotal shield with a straight anterior margin, setae h2 enlarged and slightly flattened in the basal half, and the terminal lamella monotonously transparent without sclerotized patches; females differ in having legs IV with ambulacral discs extending to or slightly beyond the level of setae f2. The discovery of P.limosaesp. nov. represents the first record of the feather mite genus Phyllochaeta on godwits of the genus Limosa Brisson, 1760 (Scolopacidae, Limosinae). Males of P.limosaesp. nov. are distinguished from P.secunda in having the terminal cleft semi-ovoid with a length-to-width ratio of 1.7, and the terminal membranes with 15 or 16 finger-shaped denticles; females differ in having the hysteronotal shield bearing faint longitudinal striations in the posterior third and lacking lacunae, and setae c1 situated posterior to the level of setae c2. Additionally, we obtained partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from A. (C.) neolimosaesp. nov. and estimated genetic distances from 10 other Alloptes species based on comparisons of COI sequences.