Spinturnicid Mites Research Articles

A catalogue of spinturnicid species (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from Brazil: distribution, host-specificity, and new locality records

ABSTRACT Spinturnicid mites are ectoparasites exclusively of bats. Herein, we provide a comprehensive catalogue of spinturnicid species recorded in Brazil focusing on their distribution nationwide. This catalogue listed 16 spinturnicid species into four different genera, and a key for the genera recorded in Brazil. Also, it provides new locality records for four species: Cameronieta almaensis Almeida, Gettinger and Gardner, Periglischrus acutisternus Machado-Allison, Periglischrus caligus Kolenati, and Periglischrus iheringi Oudemans. Additionally, this study includes a detailed discussion on the host-specificity and molecular data of these mites.

Bat wing mites associated with phyllostomid bats: A coevolutive journey

Spinturnicid mites of the genus Periglischrus Kolenati are permanent hematophagous ectoparasites, associated with phyllostomid bats in the Americas. The entire life cycle of these mites occurs on their hosts. The mites can be transmitted across host individuals via mother to offspring vertical transmission, during copulation or inter-individual contact at bat roosting sites where they form gregarious colonies.

Morphometric analysis of the bat wing mite Periglischrus ojastii (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) related to different yellow-shouldered bat host species and its distribution

Mammals host a broad diversity of parasite lineages that radiated along with them over their evolutionary history, showing in some cases a co-phylogenetic relationship. Understanding patterns of parasite diversification could provide insights into the processes of co-evolution more broadly. Spinturnicid mites of the genus Periglischrus provide an interesting study model since they are specific to phyllostomid bats. Currently, this mite genus has 26 species that range from monoxeny, stenoxeny to, in a few cases oligoxeny. Periglischrus ojastii is one oligoxenous mite that is associated with the Yellow-shouldered bats (Sturnira), which are abundant and widespread in the Neotropics and diversified during the Pliocene. This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric and geometric variation on Periglischrus ojastii associated with the diversification and distribution of its host bat species of the genus Sturnira, as possible evidence of co-evolution.

New findings of spinturnicid mites (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Spinturnicidae) from the Caucasus.

The Caucasus is a large region in Eurasia consisting of four countries: Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Although it is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world, the bat ectoparasite fauna has been poorly studied. To promotionally fill in the gaps regarding bat ectoparasites, we conducted five field surveys on bats and their ectoparasites at nine localities within the region between April 2016 and March 2021. Eight species and subspecies of spinturnicid mites were recorded over the surveys: Eyndhovenia euryalis oudemansi, Spinturnix acuminata acuminata, S. emarginata, S. myoti, S. nobleti, S. plecotina, S. psi, and S. punctata. Among them, three species, Spinturnix emarginata, S. nobleti and S. punctate, are newly recorded from the Caucasus region, and one each of subspecies and species, Eyndhovenia euryalis oudemansi and S. plecotina, are newly recorded from Georgia. In addition, Myotis tschuliensis was recorded as a new host species of S. myoti.

Parasitic prevalence in bat fauna captured from selected sites in northwestern Pakistan

Present study was conducted to record ecotoparasitic prevalence in bat fauna of the northwestern parts of Pakistan. A total of 204 bat specimens representing 14 species were captured during a two year survey, extending from June 2015 through May 2016. A species of soft ticks Argas vespertilionis was identified from 23 bat specimens. Similarly, members of the family Dermanyssoidae (dermanyssoid mites) were isolated from 10 bat specimens, that of Spinturnicidae (spinturnicid mites) from 3 and Streblidae (bat flies) from 2 bat specimens. These parasites were collected using entomological tweezers and were identified on morphological basis. Further studies on parasitic prevalence, molecular characterization of bat parasites and their control measures are recommended.

Bartonella and Rickettsia Infections in Haematophagous Spinturnix myoti Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) and their Bat Host, Myotis myotis (Yangochiroptera: Vespertilionidae), from Poland

Hematophagous Spinturnix myoti mites and their host, the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), were tested for the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In total, Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified in 28% of 134 mite pools and in 25% of 59 bats tested by PCR targeting a fragment of citrate synthase gltA gen. Adult mites were at least threefold more frequently infected compared to immature stages. The overall infection prevalence among mite pools from cave-dwelling bats was higher than for those collected from attic shelters. Three distinct genotypes were detected. The most prevalent genotype in mites and bats matched closely with Candidatus Bartonella hemsundetiensis identified in bats from Finland and was relatively distant from bat-borne Bartonella strains described in the UK and France. Importantly, most sequences were close to those reported in forest workers from Poland. The presence of identical genotype among S. myoti samples and M. myotis bats suggests that bartonellae can be shared between mites and their bat hosts. In this case, wing mites could serve as vectors, whereas their hosts as reservoirs. One blood sample was positive by PCR for the msp2 gene of A. phagocytophilum. Two mite pools yielded Rickettsia spp. DNA. Both sequences were distinct from any known species but can be classified as spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. Our findings expanded our knowledge on the role of spinturnicid mites in the ecology and epidemiology of bacterial infections associated with vespertilionid bats, especially regarding the genus Bartonella.

Richness, infestation and specificity of spinturnicid mites (Acari: Spinturnicidae) on bats in southern Oaxaca, Mexico.

Studies of mites on bats in the Mexican state Oaxaca are scarce. Our objective was therefore to evaluate the richness, infestation, and specificity of spinturnicid mites on bats in southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Bats were monthly captured from April 2010 to February 2011, in four sites using four mist-nets; also, we visited natural (crevices) and artificial roosts (tunnel). Of each bat we account the number of spinturnicid mites, considering the area of the body where they were collected. Mites were preserved in 70% ethanol and later they were mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer's medium. We captured bats of 15 species, of which eight species were infested. We recorded seven spinturnicid mites: five of the genus Periglischrus, one of the genus Cameronieta, and one of the genus Mesoperiglischrus. Periglischrus caligus, P. iheringi, and Periglischrus sp. are new records on Artibeus lituratus, Glossophaga soricina, and G. commissarisi, respectively. More infested bat species were Artibeus jamaicensis (93.8%), A. lituratus (88.9%), G. commissarisi and Sturnira parvidens (both 66.7%). Prevalence of A. jamaicensis and A. lituratus was significantly higher than most other bat species. Although prevalence percentage was high, mean and median intensity were low. Spinturnicid mites were recorded in particular areas of a bat's body; therefore, they could be an additional tool for the taxonomic identification of bats.

Community components of spinturnicid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) parasitizing bats (Chiroptera) in the Tinguá Biological Reserve of Atlantic Forest of Brazil

ABSTRACTVariations in the abundance of spinturnicid mites can derive from factors inherent to the environment, such as vegetation type and climate, in addition to the intrinsic host factors. Based on the premise that different landscapes can determine the abundance, richness and parasitological indices of spinturnicid species on phyllostomid bats, these bats were analysed in three tropical forest areas. Of the 744 bats captured, 210 (28.2%) were parasitized by 727 spinturnicid mites of five species. These mites were collected on 14 of 22 bat species. The prevalence (37.6%), mean intensity (3.6), mean abundance of infestation (1.4), abundance of bats (n = 340), abundance of mites (n = 465) and infested bats (n = 128) were higher in the reforested area, although this area obtained the lowest values for richness of mite species (n = 2). The results reinforce the presence of host specificity of spinturnicid mites on phyllostomid bats.

Ectoparasites may serve as vectors for the white-nose syndrome fungus.

BackgroundVertebrate ectoparasites frequently play a role in transmission of infectious agents. Pseudogymnoascus destructans is a psychrophilic fungus known to cause white-nose syndrome (WNS), an emerging infectious disease of bats. It is transmitted with direct contact between bats or with contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to examine wing mites from the family Spinturnicidae parasitizing hibernating bats for the presence of P. destructans propagules as another possible transmission route.MethodsWing mites collected from 33 bats at four hibernation sites in the Czech Republic were inspected for the presence and load of pathogen's DNA using quantitative PCR. Simultaneously, wing damage of inspected bats caused by WNS was quantified using ultraviolet light (UV) transillumination and the relationship between fungal load on wing mites and intensity of infection was subjected to correlation analysis.ResultsAll samples of wing mites were positive for the presence of DNA of P. destructans, indicating a high probability of their role in the transmission of the pathogen's propagules between bats.ConclusionsMechanical transport of adhesive P. destructans spores and mycelium fragments on the body of spinturnicid mites is highly feasible. The specialised lifestyle of mites, i.e., living on bat wing membranes, the sites most typically affected by fungal growth, enables pathogen transport. Moreover, P. destructans metabolic traits suggest an ability to grow and sporulate on a range of organic substrates, including insects, which supports the possibility of growth on bat ectoparasites, at least in periods when bats roost in cold environments and enter torpor. In addition to transport of fungal propagules, mites may facilitate entry of fungal hyphae into the epidermis through injuries caused by biting.

Anatomical location of Periglischrus iheringi(Acari: Spinturnicidae) associated with the great fruit-eating bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae).

Spinturnicid mites are ectoparasites that infest the wings of bats, and species of the genus Periglischrus Kolenati, 1857 are associated exclusively with bats of the family Phyllostomidae. We tested the hypothesis that a long-term evolutionary association led P. iheringi to choose very specific wing locations to infest the great fruit-eating bats, Artibeus lituratus. Seven anatomical wing regions and the uropatagium from 140 bats were analyzed and a total of 78 parasites were collected. Periglischrus iheringi had a significant preference for the plagiopatagium and dactylopatgium major wing regions (i.e., large, proximal regions) and infestation was directly correlated to area (r=0.9744). However, other factors may also influence mite choice, such as higher and more stable temperature and humidity, vascularization and lower risk of displacement.

Differences between populations of Spinturnix myoti (Acari: Mesostigmata) in breeding and non-breeding colonies of Myotis myotis (Chiroptera) in central Europe: the effect of roost type

We studied variations in the abundance of parasitic spinturnicid mites in relation to the gender, age and body condition of bats living in different habitats. Populations of Spinturnix myoti Kolenati, 1856 (Acari: Spinturnicidae), an ectoparasite of the bat Myotis myotis (Borkhausen) (Mammalia: Chiroptera), were investigated in two types of roosts differing in microclimatic conditions: caves (low temperature and high humidity) and attics (high temperature and low humidity). Our data suggest that bats from cave nursery colonies harbour more parasites than those from attic colonies, irrespective of host sex or age. In underground colonies, adult females and their young differ in the mean abundance of parasites, whereas no such differences were found in attic colonies. Non-lactating females from underground roosts and lactating females from attic colonies had similar parasite loads, were lower than those of adult lactating females from caves. A negative correlation between the host body condition index and parasite load was found only in the most infected sex/age group of bats. In spite of significant differences in parasite load, the mean abundance of particular life stages of mites seems to be independent of the type of roost occupied by the host, its sex or age. However, in attic colonies the number of female deutonymphs was twice that of male deutonymphs, whereas in cave colonies the proportions of the sexes were similar. We suggest that the microclimate of the host's roosts may influence ectoparasite abundance through pressure on the sex ratio in the nymphal stages of mites.

Spinturnicid mites of bats in Albania – host spectrum and morphometrics as a tool of species separation

We recorded 10 species of parasitic spinturnicids on bats in Albania. Eyndhovenia euryalis euryalis was collected on Rhinolophus euryale and R. ferrumequinum; Spinturnix acuminata on Nyctalus noctula; S. emarginata on Myotis emarginatus; S. helvetiae on N. leisleri; S. kolenatii on Eptesicus serotinus; S. myoti on M. capaccinii, M. nattereri, M. myotis and M. oxygnathus; S. mystacina on M. mystacinus; S. nobleti on Hypsugo savii; S. plecotina on Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus and P. macrobullaris; and S. psi on Miniopterus schreibersii and M. capaccinii. All mite species recorded are new for the Albanian fauna and three are new for the Balkans. Plecotus macrobullaris is a new host species for S. plecotina. We confirmed low levels of mite species co-occurrence on the same bat hosts. All mite species included in the present study were separable based on their measurements, with idiosoma length and width and dorsal shield length as the most important characters.

Host specificity in spinturnicid mites: do parasites share a long evolutionary history with their host?

Host specificity in parasites can be explained by spatial isolation from other potential hosts or by specialization and speciation of specific parasite species. The first assertion is based on allopatric speciation, the latter on differential lifetime reproductive success on different available hosts. We investigated the host specificity and cophylogenetic histories of four sympatric European bat species of the genus Myotis and their ectoparasitic wing mites of the genus Spinturnix. We sampled >40 parasite specimens from each bat species and reconstructed their phylogenetic COI trees to assess host specificity. To test for cospeciation, we compared host and parasite trees for congruencies in tree topologies. Corresponding divergence events in host and parasite trees were dated using the molecular clock approach. We found two species of wing mites to be host specific and one species to occur on two unrelated hosts. Host specificity cannot be explained by isolation of host species, because we found individual parasites on other species than their native hosts. Furthermore, we found no evidence for cospeciation, but for one host switch and one sorting event. Host-specific wing mites were several million years younger than their hosts. Speciation of hosts did not cause speciation in their respective parasites, but we found that diversification of recent host lineages coincided with a lineage split in some parasites.

Morphometric notes and nymphal stages description of mite species from the Spinturnix myoti group (Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) from Romania and Ukraine

The morphometric comparison of two similar species from Spinturnix myoti group, S. myoti and Spinturnix andegavina based on the records from Romania and Ukraine was undertaken. Discriminant characteristics for nymph stadium are provided. Morphometric features of adult stages of these two species are discussed with respect to their applicability for species determination. Description and key features of nymphal stages of S. andegavina were compiled using metric and non-metric body characteristics. Records of S. andegavina from Romania and Ukraine are reported for the first time and previous records of spinturnicid mites from Myotis daubentonii (Kuhl, 1817) in northern Europe and Asia are also discussed.

Two spinturnicid mites new to the fauna of Poland (Acari: Spinturnicidae)

Two spinturnicid mites new to the fauna of Poland (Acari: Spinturnicidae) Eyndhovenia euryalis oudemansi (Eyndhoven, 1941) and Spinturnix emarginata (Kolenati, 1856) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae) are reported in the Polish fauna for the first time. They were collected from the bat Myotis emarginatus (Geoffroy, 1806) in the Carpathians, Sudety Mts and Kraków Upland (S. Poland).

Ectoparasites (Insecta and Acari) Associated With Bats in Southeastern Brazil

The result of a survey of ectoparasites infesting bats in southeastern Brazil is presented. Of 181 bats belonging to 16 species, 10 (34.1%) were infested by streblid flies (Streblidae), nine (33.5%) by spinturnicid mites (Spinturnicidae), and five (8.3%) by macronyssid mites (Macronyssidae). One species of the families Trombiculidae and Myobiidae was found. A total of 195 streblids, 178 spinturnicids, and 76 macronyssids was collected. Paratrichobius longicrus was the most abundant bat fly species (50 specimens). The spinturnicid mite Periglischrus iheringi was the most abundant ectoparasite species (159 specimens) and was recorded on three different bat species; Radfordiella desmodi was the most numerous macronyssid (69 specimens).

Molecular cophylogenetic relationships between European bats and their ectoparasitic mites (Acari, Spinturnicidae)

Cospeciation between host-parasite species is generally thought to result in mirror-image congruent phylogenies. Incongruence can be explained by mechanisms such as host switching, duplication, failure to speciate and sorting events. To investigate the level of association in the host-parasite relationship between Spinturnicid mites and their bat hosts, we constructed the phylogenetic tree of the genus Spinturnix (Acari, Mesostigmata) and compared it to the host phylogeny. We sequenced 938 bp of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA and Cytochrome Oxydase subunit I (COI) genes among eleven morphospecies of Spinturnix collected on 20 European Vespertilionid and Rhinolophid bat species. Phylogenetic reconstruction of hosts and parasites showed statistical evidence for cospeciation and suggested that their evolutionary history involved also failure to speciate events and host switches. The latter seem to be mainly promoted by similar roosting habits of the host. As currently understood, host associations of Spinturnicid mites likely results from a complex interaction between the phylogenetic history of the host and the behaviour and the ecology of both parasite and host.

Two new species of the genus Periglischrus (Acari: Mesostigmata: spinturnicidae) on two bat species of the genus tonatia (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from southeastern Mexico, with additional data from Panama.

Two new species of spinturnicid mites of the genus Periglischrus are described and illustrated from phyllostomid bats from southeastern Mexico: The female, male, and protonymph of Periglischrus steresotrichus, new species, from Tonatia evotis Davis & Carter, and the female and male of Periglischrus eurysternus, new species, from Tonatia saurophila Koopman & Williams. A supplementary description of the male deutonymph of P. eurysternus from T. saurophila from Panama is given. The morphological features of the two new species of Periglischrus are used as a basis for discussing their phylogeny and its potential relationship to that of their hosts.

Three new species of spinturnicid mites (acari: mesostigmata) from bats in africa

ABSTRACT Three new species of spinturnicid mites (Spinturnix delacruzi, Ancystropus aequatorialis, and Paraperiglischrus ruber) are described from specimens collected on african bats. S. delacruzi is unique in having one pair of setae and one pair of pores on the sternal shield of the female; A. aequatorialis is easily recognizable by the presence of a tritosternum longer than broad, together with severe modifications for clasping in the leg I; P. ruber displays unique features for the genus in the sternal plate.

Spinturnicid mites (Gamasida: Spinturnicidae) associated with bats in central Brazil.

The results of a survey of spinturnicid mites (Gamasida: Spinturnicidae) infesting bats near Brasília, D.F., Brazil, are presented. One hundred twenty-five bats were collected, representing three families and 15 species. Seven species of spinturnicid mites (genus Periglischrus) were collected from nine species of bats (family Phyllostomidae). Each of the following six species of Periglischrus was associated with a single species of bat: Periglischrus acutisternus Machado-Allison and P. torrealbai Machado-Allison on Phyllostomus discolor Wagner; P. paravargasi Herrin and Tipton on Anoura caudifer (E. Geoffroy); P. caligus Kolenati on Glossophaga soricina (Pallas); P. ojasti Machado-Allison on Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy); P. herrerai Machado-Allison on Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy). P. iheringi Oudemans was collected from four species of bats (Artibeus cinereus (Gervais), A. jamaicensis Leach, A. literatus (Olfers), and Vampyrops lineatus (E. Geoffroy]. No spinturnicids were found on Carollia perspecillata (L.) or on molossid or vespertilionid bats.