Quill Mite Species Research Articles

New insights into the relationship of parasitic quill mites and birds: Picobia species in Asian and New World Barbets

Quill mites are obligatory parasites of birds, widely distributed among their hosts. For the first time, we examined birds from two small, phylogenetically closely related piciform families, Megalaimidae (New World Barbets) and Capitonidae (Asian Barbets), for infestation by parasitic mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae). Birds of the family Megalaimidae were infested by two new species of the genus Picobia: Picobia insolita Skoracki, Sikora & Unsoeld n. sp. collected from Caloramphus hayii in Indonesia, and Picobia paraheeri Skoracki, Sikora & Unsoeld n. sp. found on nine bird species of the genus Psilopogon, including P. zeylanicus in Sri Lanka, P. asiaticus in India, P. virens in China, P. franklini and P. lineatus both in Nepal, and P. corvinus, P. rafflesii, P. chrysopogon, P. pyrolophus, all in Indonesia. Within the Capitonidae family, a single quill mite species, Rafapicobia olszanowskii Skoracki et al. 2020, was found infesting two species of the genus Capito, i.e. C. maculicoronatus in Panama and C. niger in Surinam and Guyana, and these two Asian Barbet species are new hosts for this quill mite species. Our further analysis of picobiine mite records associated with the entire order of Piciformes revealed a correlation between the mites’ distribution patterns and the phylogeny of piciform birds. This significant congruence suggests a close evolutionary relationship between picobiine mites and their avian hosts. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F9DEB980-6481-4229-A071-52AC9FF69879 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6B4F98EB-D166-4DBF-B26F-49F4B22903A8 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:98140DAC-5C53-438B-85A6-1FBA52D178D0

Distribution of the Quill Mite Bubophilus aluconis Parasitising Western Palaearctic Owls Belonging to the Genus Strix.

Background: The paper presents the results of studies on the distribution of the parasitic quill mite species Bubophilus aluconis (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) in the feather quills of the Western Palaearctic owls of the genus Strix, that is, tawny owl S. aluco, collected in Poland and Sweden, the Ural owl S. uralensis, from Poland, Sweden, and Finland, and the great grey owl S. nebulosa, from Sweden and Finland. The two latter species are new hosts for B. aluconis. Methods: Feather samples of the tawny owl, Ural owl, and great grey owl used in this study come from Prof. Marian Cieślak's private collection, which contains feathers of Western Palearctic birds of prey and owls. Each of the 77 tawny owl, 75 Ural owl, and 55 great grey owl specimens are represented either by whole dry wings or a full complement of flight feathers (primaries (P) and secondaries (S)) and tails (rectrices (R)). Particular types of feathers were coded as follows: Ps, Ss, R, primary greater upperwing coverts (PGUppC), secondary greater upperwing coverts (SGUppC), primary greater underwing coverts (PGUndrC), secondary greater underwing coverts (SGUndrC), uppertail coverts (UppTC), and undertail coverts (UndrTC). Results: The prevalence was relatively low for all of the examined birds, that is, 12% for S. uralensis (N = 79), 2.6% for S. aluco (N = 77), and 3.6% for S. nebulosa (N = 55). In total, we examined 37,260 flight feathers and coverts. The mite B. aluconis occupied only the inner S of the tawny owl, secondary greater under and upperwing coverts of the great grey owl, and inner Ss, primary and secondary upperwing coverts, UndrTC, and coverts from the scapulars of the Ural owl. Conclusion: We hypothesise that the absence of these parasites in the examined P, S, and R suggests that these feather types might be unsuitable for the mites due to their thick quill walls, preventing successful feeding.

Lost companions: a new quill mite species and its possible coextinction with the Carolina parakeet.

Investigations of the parasites associated with extinct avian species provide unique insights into the ecology and evolution of both hosts and their parasitic counterparts. In the present paper, a new quill mite species, Peristerophila conuropsis sp. n., belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) is described from the Carolina parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis Linnaeus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae). This new species was collected from museum dry skin of the Carolina parakeet, the only native representative of the Psittacidae in the United States, which was an abundant resident of the southeastern and midwestern states and has been extinct in the beginning of the 20th century. Comment on the current taxonomic state and host associations of the genus Peristerophila are provided. Based on the host associations and habitats occupied by Peristerophila and related genera on parrots, it is hypothesized with the high probability that P. conuropsis has been extinct along with its host.

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) parasitising doves of the genus Turtur (Columbiformes: Columbidae)

Mites belonging to the Syringophilidae family are a cosmopolitan and taxonomically diverse group of obligate and permanent parasites. These mites inhabit and reproduce within the hollow quills (calamus) of the wing, tail, and contour feathers. This study presents the first field observations of quill mites parasitising doves of the Turtur genus distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 145 host individuals from all five Turtur species (i.e., T. abyssinicus, T. afer, T. brehmeri, T. chalcospilos, and T. tympanistria) were examined during ornithological surveys conducted in Ghana, Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria. All examined bird species were found to be parasitised by a single oligoxenous syringophilid species, Meitingsunes tympanistria Skoracki & Dabert. Previously, this mite species had only been recorded from T. chalcospilos and T. tympanistria and from Tanzania and Togo; thus, the remaining dove species and countries of origin represent new host and locality records for this quill mite species. In our study, 20 individuals (13.8%) of the Turtur genus were infested by quill mites, with prevalence ranging from 8.8% to 24.2%. Mites were found to inhabit only the quills of wing coverts. No relationship was observed between the host body condition of two analysed host species (T. tympanistria and T. chalcospilos) and infestation by M. tympanistria. The fact that M. tympanistria exploits all representatives of the genus Turtur suggests that this mite species invaded these birds before their radiation, dating back approximately 15 Mya (Middle Miocene).

An unexpected finding of a new species of the genus Charadriineopicobia (Acariformes, Syringophilidae) parasitizing Hydrobates tethys (Aves, Procellariiformes) from the Galápagos Islands

A new quill mite species of the family Syringophilidae and subfamily Picobiinae, Charadriineopicobia janegoodallae sp. nov., is described. It was collected from Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates tethys (Bonaparte), a representative of the order Procellariiformes and family Hydrobatidae. Our finding is the first record of the subfamily Picobiinae on procellariform hosts and the first record of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae collected from birds inhabiting the Galápagos Islands. Additionally, an identification key to females of all known species of Charadriineopicobia is presented. Because all other species of the genus Charadriineopicobia were found on phylogenetically distant avian hosts of the order Charadriiformes and families Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Laridae, we hypothesize that presence of this new mite species parasitizing H. tethys is a result of the mite switching from charadriiform hosts inhabiting the same ecological niche.

A new species, Stibarokris nielseni sp. nov. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) parasitizing Puffinus puffinus (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae) in Iceland, with notes on host associations of the genus Stibarokris

A new syringophilid mite species, Stibarokris nielseni sp. nov., from Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus is described. This finding is the third record of quill mite species for Iceland and the first one outside Galliformes. The new species differs from all other species of this genus in the following characters: tarsal claws of legs III and IV are distinctly more massive and strongly curved in comparison to claws of legs I and II (vs. tarsal claws are similar in shape and size in other Stibarokris species); the hysteronotal teeth are replaced ventrally (vs. situated laterally). The distribution of the quill mites of the genus Stibarokris on birds strongly corresponds to avian lineages grouped in the recently established clade Feraequornithes comprising the orders Pelecaniformes, Suliformes, Ciconiiformes, and Procelariiformes. Of these orders, quill mites were not confirmed only on representatives of Sphenisciformes. Probable explanation could be their highly specialized way of life and/or insufficient sampling efforts. Additionally, considering the recent reconstructions of avian phylogeny, the presence of Stibarokris on flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes), which are distant from Feraequornithes, is most likely the result of successful host switching.

<p class="Body"><strong>Females of the quill mite genera <em>Peristerophila</em> and <em>Castosyringophilus</em> (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are two morphological forms: ontogenetic and population evidences</strong></p>

The comparative study of ontogeny and morphological structures of quill mite infrapopulations of a newly described species Peristerophila hirundineus sp. nov. from Merops hirundineus (Coraciiformes: Meropidae), collected in Namibia, D.R. Congo, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, shows evidence of female dimorphism in the genus Peristerophila Kethley, 1970. This proves that females of quill mite species referred to the genus Peristerophila are homeomorph forms, while those referred to the genus Castosyringophilus Bochkov and Perez, 2003 are heteromorph ones. Therefore, the genus Castosyringophilus syn. nov. is synonymized herein with the genus Peristerophila. The following new combinations for mite species formerly referred to Castosyringophilus are proposed: Peristerophila forpi (Bochkov and Perez, 2002) comb. nov., P. claravis (Skoracki and Glowska 2008) comb. nov., and P. meropis (Skoracki, Hromada and Sikora, 2017) comb. nov. The possible evolutionary sense of the female dimorphism in syringophilid mites is discussed.

Rafapicobia olszanowskii, a New Species of Syringophilid Mite (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) from Semnornis ramphastinus (Piciformes: Semnornithidae)

A new quill mite species Rafapicobia olszanowskiisp. nov., belonging to the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), is described from quills of contour feathers of the Toucan Barbet Semnornis ramphastinus (Jardine) (Piciformes: Semnornithidae) from Ecuador. Our finding is the first record of syringophilid mites on birds of the family Semnornithidae.

A NEW SYRINGOPHILID MITE (ACARIFORMES: SYRINGOPHILIDAE) FROM MANAKINS (PASSERIFORMES: PIPRIDAE) IN PANAMA

A new quill mite species, Syringophilopsis bochkovi sp. n. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), is described from two species of manakins (Passeriformes: Pipridae), Corapipo altera (type host) and Manacus vitellinus collected in Panama. Females of the new species differ from those of morphologically similar S. nitens Skoracki et Dabert, 2001 by the following features: the total body length is 960–1,010 µm (vs. 1,265–1,285 µm in S. nitens); the dorsal shields (propodonotal, hysteronotal and pygidial) and coxal fields I–IV are apunctate (vs. all these sclerites are punctate); each lateral branch of the peritremes has 11 chambers (vs. 13 chambers); and the lengths of dorsal idiosomal setae d2 and e2 are 330–350 and 330–370 µm, respectively (vs. 390–400 and 420–460 µm). Syringophilopsis bochkovi represents the first record of the family Syringophilidae on passerines of the family Pipridae.

Neoaulonastus sidorchukae, a new species of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with the purple-rumped sunbird Leptocomazeylonica (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from Sri Lanka.

A new quill mite species, Neoaulonastus sidorchukae sp. nov. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), is described from under-tail covert feathers of Leptocoma zeylonica (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) from Sri Lanka. It is the second record of syringophilid mites of the genus Neoaulonastus parasitizing sunbirds.

Two new quill mite species of the genus Psittaciphilus Fain, Bochkov & Mironov, 2000 (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with pigeons and doves (Columbiformes: Columbidae)

Two new quill mite species of the genus Psittaciphilus Fain, Bochkov & Mironov, 2000 (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) collected from columbiform birds (Columbiformes) are described: Psittaciphilus montanus n. sp. form the ruddy quail-dove Geotrygon montana Gosse from Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Panama, and Psittaciphilus patagioenas n. sp. from the band-tailed pigeon Patagioenas fasciata (Say) from Colombia and the scaled pigeon Patagioenas speciosa (Gmelin) from Surinam. A key to the species of the genus Psittaciphilus is provided. Our finding is the first record of the representatives of this genus on columbiform birds.

Combined description (morphology with DNA barcode data) of a new quill mite Torotrogla paenae n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) parasitising the Kalahari scrub-robin Cercotrichas paena (Smith) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) in Namibia

A new quill mite species Torotrogla paenae n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) parasitising the Kalahari scrub-robin Cercotrichas paena (Smith) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) in Namibia is described based on the external morphology and DNA barcode data (the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 sequences, cox1). Females of T. paenae n. sp. morphologically differ from the most similar species T. lusciniae Skoracki, 2004 by the total body length (780–830 vs 645–715 µm in T. lusciniae) and the presence of hysteronotal shields (vs absence), apunctate propodonotal and pygidial shields (vs punctate), apunctate coxal fields (vs punctate), the fan-like setae p’ and p” of legs III–IV provided with c.10 tines (vs 14–15) and the length of setae si (140–180 vs 190–210 µm) and se (160–185 vs 210–225 µm). The male of T. paenae n. sp. morphologically differs from T. lusciniae by the lateral branch of peritremes composed of 4 chambers (vs 7–8 chambers) and lengths of setae ve (45 vs 70–75 µm) and se (120 vs 165 µm).

Parasitic Quill Mites of the Family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) Associated With Sub-Saharan Sunbirds (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae): Species Composition and Host-Parasite Relationships.

We investigated the quill mite fauna of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) associated with Sunbirds (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) in the Sub-Saharan region. Six hundred eleven host individuals belonging to 52 species were examined. Syringophilid parasitization prevalence (44 hosts of 15 species) ranged from 1.4 to 75% in particular host species. In the collected material, we have found seven quill mite species and among them four are new for science: 1) Aulobia afroanthreptes Skoracki & Zmudzinski sp. nov. from Anthreptes neglectus Neumann, 1922 and Anthreptes longuemarei (Lesson, 1831), both from Tanzania; 2) Syringophiloidus nectariniae Skoracki & Zmudzinski sp. nov. from Hedydipna collaris (Vieillot, 1819) from Tanzania; 3) Aulonastus nectariniphilus Skoracki & Zmudzinski sp. nov. from Anthreptes reichenowi Gunning, 1909 from Tanzania and Nectarinia tacazze (Stanley, 1814) from Ethiopia; and 4) Picobia hedydipna Skoracki & Zmudzinski sp. nov. from Hedydipna collaris from Kenya. Representatives of the genera Aulonastus Kethley, 1970 and Syringophiloidus Kethley, 1970 are recorded on Sunbirds for the first time. The following new host species are given: Cinnyris mariquensis Smith, 1836, C. shelleyi Alexander, 1899 and C. regius Reichenov, 1893, all from Tanzania for Aulobia nectariniae Skoracki & Glowska, 2008; A. neglectus and A. longuemarei, both from Tanzania for Neoaulonastus cinnyris Klimovicova et al., 2014; Cyanomitra verreauxii (Smith, 1832) from Tanzania and Cinnyris chalybeus (Linnaeus, 1766) from South Africa for Picobia oritis Skoracki et al., 2009. Additionally, host-parasite relationships are discussed.

Castosyringophilus meropis sp. n. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) - a new quill mite species parasitising the world population of Merops apiaster Linnaeus (Coraciiformes: Meropidae).

A new species, Castosyringophilus meropis sp. n., found in quills of feathers of the European bee-eater Merops apiaster Linnaeus (Coraciiformes: Meropidae) is described. This new species is close to C. claravis Skoracki et Glowska, 2008 and differs, in females, by the presence apunctate coxal fields (vs sparsely punctate in C. claravis) and by the lengths of setae d1 145-180 µm, f2 170-185 µm and ag3 190-215 µm (vs d1 200-220 µm, f2 230-250 µm and ag3 150-170 µm). We present a vast mite material collected from bee-eaters originated from different localities in Europe, Asia and Africa, both breeding and wintering grounds of this bird. It indicates that the whole world population of the European bee-eater is parasitised by this quill mite species.

Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with birds of Mexico

The fauna of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Cheyletoidea) parasitizing birds in Mexico is surveyed. Three new species of the genus Syringophiloidus Kethley are described: S. amazilia sp. nov. from Amazilia candida (Bonaer & Mulsant) (Apodiformes: Trochilidae), S. cincli sp. nov. from Cinclus mexicanus Swainson (Passeriformes: Cinclidae), and S. sporophila sp. nov. from Sporophila torqueola (Bonaparte) (Passeriformes: Thraupidae). Additionally, six quill mite species are found for the first time in Mexico and several new host associations are recorded. The syringophilid fauna presently recorded in Mexico is summarized.

A new species Selenonycha insperata n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) from the bare-faced ibis Phimosus infuscatus (Lichtenstein) (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) as an example of host-switching event.

A new quill mite species of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) is described from Phimosus infuscatus (Lichtenstein) (Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae) in Argentina. Selenonycha insperata n. sp. differs from other species of the genus Selenonycha Kethley, 1970 by the presence of wing-like cuticular projections of coxal fields III-IV situated in front of trochanters (vs absence). An unexpected finding of this species on a bird of the family Threskiornithidae (Pelecaniformes) is discussed as an example of host shift. Additionally, a key to the species of the genus is provided.

Aulonastus similis n. sp., a new quill mite species (Syringophilidae) parasitising passeriform birds (Tyrannidae and Cardinalidae) in Mexico.

A new quill mite species, Aulonastus similis n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), parasitising Myiozetetes similis (Spix) (Tyrannidae) and Habia fuscicauda (Cabanis) (Cardinalidae) in Mexico is described and DNA barcode sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and D1–D3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene are provided. Morphologically, females of A. similis are close to A. euphagus Skoracki, Hendricks & Spicer, 2010 but differ from this species in the length ratios of the idiosomal setae: ve:si (2–2.3:1 vs 1:1) and f2:f1 (4.7–6.3:1 vs 3.3:1).

Two new species of quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) associated with the Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike Prionops scopifrons (Peters) (Passeriformes: Vangidae) in Kenya.

Two new species of syringophilid mites collected from Prionops scopifrons (Peters) (Passeriformes: Vangidae) in Kenya are described: Neoaulonastus prionops sp. nov. and Picobia meru sp. nov. They are the first syringophilid records from birds of the family Vangidae.

Two new Meitingsunes species (Acari: Syringophilidae) from Indonesian doves (Columbiformes: Columbidae).

We describe two new quill mite species of the genus Meitingsunes Glowska and Skoracki, 2010 (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) parasitizing columbiform birds (Columbiformes: Columbidae): M. chalcophaps sp. nov. collected from the Emerald Dove, Chalcophaps indica (Linnaeus) and M. turacoenas sp. nov. from the White-faced Cuckoo Dove, Turacoena manadensis (Quoy and Gaimard) (type host) and the Black Cuckoo-Dove, Turacoena modesta (Temminck). All host species were collected in Indonesia. These represent two new genus-level host records for Meitingsunes. In addition, we summarize the diversity of Meitingsunes and present a key to species in this genus.

Syringophilid quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) parasitizing passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Brazil

ABSTRACTTwo new quill mite species collected from passerine birds in Brazil are described: Torotrogla synallaxis sp. nov. from Synallaxis spixi Sclater (Funariidae) and Syringophilopsis bonariensis sp. nov. from Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin) (Icteridae). Additionally, three syringophilid species were recorded from new host species captured in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Syringophilopsis tyranni Bochkov and Galloway, 2004 from Satrapa icterophrys (Vieillot) (Tyrannidae); Syringophiloidus stawarczyki Skoracki, 2004 from Dacnis cayana (Linnaeus) (Thraupidae) and Syringophiloidus parapresentalis Skoracki, 2011 from Turdus rufiventris Vieillot (Turdidae). The syringophilid fauna presently recorded from Brazil is summarized.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:XXXX