Gamasid mites (Gamasoidea) of the Taimyr Peninsula]

1591 specimen of small mammals, 467 nests of those, 250 birds and 38 nests had been investigated in 1972--1977. 19 182 specimens of gamasoid mites of 41 taxon had been found. Morphological and ecological adaptations of two mass species, Haemogamasus ambulans and Hinstionyssus isabellinus had been studied.     

Characteristics of zonal distribution of the gamasid mites connected with small mammals and their nests in Western Siberia

Analysis of long-term data on the fauna, landscape distribution, and structure of communities of the gamasid mites (Acari:Parasitiformes:Mesostigmata) connected with small mammals and their nests in the plain part of Western Siberia is carried out. By now, presence of 249 gamasid mite species is established in the territory under study, including 193 free-living and 56 parasitic species. Gamasid mites are represented by the maximal number of species on small mammals and in thers nests in northern forest-steppe (102 and 105 species respectively). Nine parasitic species from two ecological groups (epizoic and nidicolous) were found in all landscape zones of the West Siberian Plain, namely: 1) epizoic species Laelaps clethrionomydis Lange, 1955, Laelaps hilaris C. L. Koch, 1836, and Hyperlaelaps arvalis Zachvatkin, 1948 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous); 2) nidicolous species Androlaelaps casalis Berlese, 1887 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous), Eulaelaps stabularis C. L. Koch, 1836, Haemogamasus nidiformnes Bregetova, 1955 (facultative hematophagous), Haemnogamnasus ambulans Thorell, 1872 (obligatory non-exclusive hematophagous), Hirstionyssus isabellinus Oudemans, 1913, and Hirstionyssus eusoricis Bregetova, 1956 (obligatory exclusive hematophagous). Last three species demonstrate the mixed type of parasitism. The population of gamasid mites on small mammals is most specific in tundra, southern forest-steppe and steppe; the fauna of gamasid mites in nests is most specific in southern forest-steppe and steppe.     

Parasite fauna of the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) and its nests in the south of Western Siberia

Fauna of parasitic and free-living arthropods associated the water vole Arvicola terestris and its nests in various landscape zones and subzones of the south of Western Siberia has been studied. Total abundance of gamasid mites and ticks (Gamasoidea, Ixodidae), fleas and nidicolous arthropods in nests is high, and the set of nidicolous and parasite species is quite diverse, but everywhere the parasite fauna is characterized by a small amount of species reaching a high abundance: Laelaps muris on the voles, Haemogamasus ambulans in nests, Ixodes apronophorus and Megpbotris walkeri both on the voles and nests. Parasitic arthropods living on the voles or in their nests are characterized by higher and stables indices of infection, while these parameters for free-living arthropods were variable. The list of mesostigmatic mites parasitizing the water vole and its nests in the south of Western Siberia (Adamovich, Krylov, 2001) has been considerably supplemented. In total, the fauna of parsitiform mites (Acari: Mesostigmata and Ixodiddes) and fleas (Siphonaptera) associated with the water vole in the south of Western Siberia is represented by 97 arthropod species of 19 families, including 74 species of mesostigmatic mites (Gamasoidea), 6 species of ticks (Ixodidae) and 17 species of fleas.     

New findings concerning the spread of natural foci of infection in the transpolar region of eastern Siberia]

New materials are presented on the presence of the foci of anthropozoonozes in the Extreme North. For the first time there was established the existence in the subarctic tundra of the Taimyr peninsula of the arbovirus foci of the tick-borne encephalitis complex. A virus of the tick-borne encephalitis complex was isolated in 1973 from the gamasida ticks Haemogamasus ambulans Thorel. and Hirstionyssus isabellinus Oudms. and the nests of the Siberian lemming Lemmus lemmus L. This pointed to the existence in the Transpolar region of the foci or arboviruses in the nest-hole biocenoses of the lemmings outside the bird colonies. Cultures of tularemia bacilli (which proved the etiology of the epizootic among the lemmings observed in 1973 and also the presence of the lemming natural foci of tularemia and their combination with the arbovirus foci) were isolated from the lemmings at the same territory. The results of serological examination of the local population and of the animals pointed to the circulation in the Transpolar region of the causative agents of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, Q-fever and of the Asian tick-borne rickettsiosis.     

The relationship of the population dynamics of gamasid mites with the population dynamics of their murine rodent hosts in the Sikhote-Alin]

22,500 mites were collected from 4515 rodents over a period of 5 years in the Sikhote-Alin reserve. The abundance dynamics of 4, out of 5, most numerous species of mites (Laelaps pavlovskyi, L. clethrionomydis, Eulaelaps stabularis, Haemogamasus serdjukovae) depends on the cyclic fluctuations in the number of rodents. A direct connection between the annual and, to some extent, seasonal dynamics of the abundance of parasites and that of their hosts is most distinct in L. pavlovskyi, an epizoon parasite of the large Japanese field mouse. At the same time the abundance of Hg. ambulans, a multihost parasite of small mammals, does not depend on the number of animals. Certain regularities in the abundance dynamics of gamasid mites in connection with that of their hosts, rodents, is discussed on the basis of obtained material and literary data.     

Mite species inhabiting commercial bumblebee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombus terrestris</Emphasis>) nests in Polish greenhouses

Nests of social insects are usually inhabited by various mite species that feed on pollen, other micro-arthropods or are parasitic. Well-known negative effects of worldwide economic importance are caused by mites parasitizing honeybee colonies. Lately, attention has focused on the endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri that has been found in commercial bumblebees. However, little is known of other mites associated with commercial bumblebee nests. Transportation of commercial bumblebee colonies with unwanted residents may introduce foreign mite species to new localities. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and species composition of mites associated with commercial bumblebee nests and determined if the mites are foreign species for Poland and for Europe. The study was conducted on 37 commercial bumblebee nests from two companies (Dutch and Israeli), originating from two greenhouses in southern Poland, and on 20 commercial bumblebee colonies obtained directly from suppliers. The species composition and abundance of mites inhabiting commercial bumblebee nests were determined. Seven mite species from three families were found in nests after greenhouse exploitation. The predominant mite species was Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) that was a 100-fold more numerous than representatives of the family Laelapidae (Hypoaspis marginepilosa, H. hyatti, H. bombicolens). Representatives of Parasitidae (Parasitellus fucorum, P. crinitus, P. ignotus) were least numerous. All identified mite species are common throughout Europe, foreign species were not found. Mites were not detected in nests obtained directly from suppliers. We conclude that probably bumblebee nests are invaded by local mite species during greenhouse exploitation.     

Role of gamasids in the epizootiology of tularemia]

10 strains of Francisella tularensis were isolated from 4 species of gamasid mites, Laelaps muris, L. multispinosus, Hyperlaelaps amphibius and Haemolaelaps glasgowi, in natural nidi of tularemia in the Tumen district. Under experimental conditions L. muris is often infected with tularemia agent on sick animals but preserves it at an indoor temperature not more than a week and does not transmit it transovarially. Haemogamasus ambulans preserve the agent within the same period. L. muris and Hirstionyssus isabellinus do not transmit the tularemia agent to healthy animals through a bite.     

European starlings: nestling condition, parasites and green nest material during the breeding season

Male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) intermingle fresh herbs, preferably species rich in volatile compounds, into their dry nest material. In a field study, we investigated whether these herbs affect the mite and bacteria load of the nests and the condition of the nestlings either directly or via parasite control. We examined the amount of herbs and the number of plant species males carried into their nests, the variation of volatile compounds in the headspace air of the nest boxes and mite/bacteria load of the nests throughout the season. The amount of herb material and the number of plant species, the number of substances emanated by these plants and the infestation of the nests with bacteria and mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) increased with season. In a field experiment, we exchanged natural starling nests with experimental nests with or without herbs. We found that the herbs had no effect on the mites but fewer bacteria were sampled in nests with herbs than in nests without herbs. The body mass of the fledging was not related to the season or the mite/bacteria load of the nests. However, nestlings from nests with herbs fledged with higher body mass than nestlings from nests without herbs. Both bacteria and mite load were related to nestling mortality. In nests containing no herbs, the numbers of fledglings declined significantly with the increasing mite load while the mites had no effect on the number of fledglings in nests with herbs. Thus, the nest herbs counteracted the effect of the mites. In conclusion, it seems that volatile herbs can reduce bacterial but not mite infestation of the starling nests. The positive influence of herbs on nestling growth indicates that herbs either directly (perhaps as immunostimulants) improve the condition of the nestlings and help them cope with the harmful effects of mites, or they provide a nest environment beneficial for the nestlings‘ development by the reduction of germs.     

Review. When to leave the brood chamber? Routes of dispersal in mites associated with burying beetles

Most nests of brood-caring insects are colonized by a rich community of mite species. Since these nests are ephemeral and scattered in space, phoresy is the principal mode of dispersal in mites specializing on insect nests. Often the mites will arrive on the nest-founding insect, reproduce in the nest and their offspring will disperse on the insect's offspring. A literature review shows that mites reproducing in the underground brood chambers of burying beetles use alternative routes for dispersal. For example, the phoretic instars of Poecilochirus spp. (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) disperse early by attaching to the parent beetles. Outside the brood chamber, the mites switch host at carcasses and pheromone-emitting male beetles, where juvenile and mature burying beetles of several species congregate. Because they preferably switch to beetles that are reproductively active and use all species of burying beetles within their ranges, they have a good chance of arriving in a new brood chamber. Other mite associates of burying beetles (Alliphis necrophilus and Uropodina) disperse from the brood chamber on the beetle offspring. We suggest that these mites forgo the possible time gain of dispersing early on the parent beetles because their mode of attachment precludes host switching. Their phoretic instars, once attached, have to stay on their host and so only dispersing on the beetle offspring guarantees that they are present on reproducing burying beetles of the next season. The mites associated with burying beetles providean example of multiple solutions to one life history problem – how to find a new brood chamber for reproduction. Mites that have mobile phoretic instars disperse on the parent beetles and try to arrive in the next brood chamber by host switching. They are independent of the generation cycle of a single host and several generations of mites per host generation are possible. Mites that are constrained by their mode of attachment disperse on the beetle offspring and wait until their host becomes mature and reproduces. By doing this they synchronize their generation time with the generation time of their host species. Exp Appl Acarol 22: 621–631 © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Arthropods in the nests of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)

In 2001–2007, altogether 57 nests of lesser spotted eagle were collected in the Orava region in northwestern Slovakia and four groups of arthropods were extracted from them. Richest in number of species and individuals were mites (23 species, 17,500 ind.), followed by beetles (12 species, 725 ind.), whereas pseudoscorpions were represented only by Pselaphochernes scorpioides (39 ind.) and fleas by Ceratophyllus garei (3 ind.). Unlike nests of other birds, free-living mites predominated in the nests fauna (83% of individuals), followed by nidicolous species with more or less free relationship to the nests, while parasitic species represented only a negligible part of the fauna. For the first time we observed phoresy of Nenteria pandioni, a specific and abundant mite in the eagles’ nests, on the nidicolous staphylinid Haploglossa puncticollis. The beetle fauna in the nests was much poorer than in nests of other birds. The predatory H. puncticollis was dominant in the nests (83%) and occurred continuously during the whole investigation period. Other beetles, even the widely distributed nidicols such as the histerid Gnathoncus buyssoni, were found rarely in nests. Predators were also the only abundant trophic group of beetles in the nests, while other trophic groups of beetles abundantly co-occur in nests of majority of other birds. The occurrence of all beetles was very unevenly distributed during the investigation period, but was positively correlated with occurrence of mites. The relatively low number of species and individuals of mites and beetles in the lesser spotted eagle nests resulted from their position on tree tops, at a height of 20–30 m and their quick drying out by sun and wind. It was also indicated by an enormously low number of species and individuals of mycetophagous beetles, which represent a significant component of the fauna in nests of other birds.     

Mesostigmatic mites associated with birds and mammals in Iran. A review

There are diverse relationships between mites and birds or mammals. These mites may play an important role in epizootics and in the perpetuation of some significant diseases. The purpose of this study is to revise the current knowledge of mesostigmatic mites occurring on birds, including their nests and mammals and their substrates, in Iran and to compare the results with other regions of the Palearctic ecozone. This study presents a revised list of 38 species of mesostigmatic mite occuring on birds (17 species) and mammals (24 species) or in their nests/substrates in Iran. Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Parasitus hyalinus were found on both birds and mammals. The species composition of mites reported in Iran was compared with other regions of the Palearctic ecozone. Parasites, specifically those from genera Dermanyssus, Ornithonyssus and Liponyssoides, may be hazardous to human health. Species from these genera were predominant among the reported mites.     

Gamasid tick (Acarina, Gamasoidea) fauna from the nests of the common field mouse

14087 specimens of 26 species of gamasid mites were found in 52 nests of Apodemus sylvaticus collected in the vicinity of Odessa. The annual index of abundance of all species of gamasids is 270. The most abundant were Hl. glasgowi (53.9%), E. stabularis (10.1%), Hg. nidi (8.6%) and Hi. latiscutatus (7.2%).     

Mites of the family Cheyletidae (Acari: Prostigmata): phylogeny, distribution, evolution and analysis of parasite-host relationship

A modern system, phylogeny, distribution and host parasite relationships of cheyletid mites (Acari: Prostigmatal Cheyletidae) is shortly discussed. According to the phylogenetic hypothesis proposed by Bochkov and Fain (2001), the family Cheyletidae includes now 15 tribes: Acaropsellini, Bakini, Cheletogenini, Cheletosomatini, Chelonotini, Cheyletiini, Cheyletiellini, Cheyletini, Cheletomorphini, Criokerontini, Metacheyletiini, Niheliini, Ornithocheyletiini, Teinocheylini and one unnamed tribe including the genera Caudacheles and Alliea. The parasitic Cheyletidae were primarily free-living predators, frequently associated with nests of vertebrates. These mites, being predators, have numerous preadaptations to the parasitic mode of life and they possess high ecological plasticity. Therefore it was quite easy for these mites to adapt to parasitism on the vertebrates. According to our phylogenetical hypothesis, the parasitism on vertebrates has arisen independently in several phylogenetic lines of the cheyletids associated with nests of vertebrates. Such transition from nest predation to true parasitism probably occurred repeatedly and at different times. The cheyletid mites are more widely represented on birds than on mammals. Possibly, it is in relation with a more early origin of parasitism in the cheyletids associated with bird nests than in the cheyletids associated with mammal nests. An independent origin of the parasitism in many different cheyletid phyletic lines, arisen significantly later than the origin of such a parasitic group as myobiid mites, is probably the main reason, which could explain the recent mosaic distribution of the Cheyletidae among the mammalian taxa. Parasitic associations between cheyletids and vertebrates are more common than the associations between these mites and the invertebrates. In the invertebrates, these associations are generally restricted to a phoresy. The zoogeographical analysis showed that this family as whole is characterised by the extremely low endemisms. The most part of the free-living cheyletid mites are associated with Holarctic region (87%) and, therefore, this family, probably, originated there.     

Ecological characteristics of insects that affect symbiotic relationships with mites

Parasites and pathogens that begin as symbionts, i.e., organisms living together in the same habitat, are some of the most promising drivers of species evolution. Because insects are highly diverse and important as ecosystem service agents and because mites can exert large effects on insect populations (capable of killing at least juveniles), insect–mite interactions have been analyzed from various perspectives, including evolutionary, ecological and pest‐management perspectives. Here, I review and examine insect–mite symbiotic associations to develop hypotheses concerning the factors that maintain and develop their relationships. Previous studies have hypothesized that insect sociality and mite richness and specificity affect insect–mite interactions. I found that both solitary and social insects, including parasocial and subsocial insects, harbor numbers of symbionts including species‐specific ones but few dangerous mite symbionts in their nests or habitats under natural conditions. Nest size or the amount of food resources in a nest may affect mite richness. On the basis of this review, I hypothesize that the insect characteristics relevant for mite symbiotic hosting are sharing the same habitat with mites and living in a nutrient‐rich habitat. I also suggest that many cases of species‐specific symbiosis began with phoresy. To test these hypotheses, phylogenetic information on mites living with insect groups and quantitative analysis to characterize each insect–mite relationship are necessary.     

Nests of the black stork Ciconia nigra as a habitat for mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata)

We surveyed the Mesostigmatid mite fauna of nests of the black stork Ciconia nigra, to determine the role of these mites in the biology of their hosts. We present preliminary results obtained on the basis of material collected from 31 nests. A total of 1,615 mite specimens was recorded, belonging to 39 species. The most abundant species were Dendrolaelaps strenzkei, Apionoseius infirmus, Macrocheles merdarius and Macrocheles ancyleus, which constituted more than 65% of all the specimens recorded. The presence of large numbers of predatory mites could be beneficial to the birds, if they feed on the eggs and larvae of the bird’s parasites. It is likely that many of the mite species found in these nests were carried there by phoresy on insects, mainly Coleoptera.     

The diversity of soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in yellow ant (Lasius flavus) nests along a gradient of land use

Mesostigmatid mites communities in yellow ant (Lasius flavus) hills and phoresis of mites on this ant species were analysed in the Wielkopolska Region, Central Poland. Samples were collected from ant nests located along a gradient of four different types of land use: forest, ecotone, meadow and garden. In total, 132 mites were collected in ant nests among which 26 species were identified. The highest total abundance of mites was observed in the ecotone. Moreover, 14 mite specimens were found on L. flavus workers bodies. These are the first records of phoresis of mesostigmatid mites on this ant species.     

Oribatid mites (Acari) from nests of some birds in South Vietnam

The fauna of oribatid mites in nests of the bar-bellied pitta, the blue-rumped pitta, and the whiterumped shama was studied at the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve (South Vietnam). The data on the taxonomic composition, total number of species, dominant species, and their occurrence in nests are presented.     

Species diversity and biocenotic relationships of gamasid mites (Parasitiformes,Gamasoidea) in the nests of the field vole <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microtus agrestis</Emphasis> L. of the Karelian middle taiga subzone

The species diversity and habitat relations of gamasid mites from nests of the field vole (Microtus agrestis L.) were studied in the middle taiga subzone of the Republic of Karelia. The fauna of gamasid mites on the field vole, in its nests, and in the forest litter is very diverse, comprising 49 species with a complex taxonomic structure (22 genera, 12 families) and a variety of life strategies (necrophages, zoophages, and hematophages). The fauna of gamasid mites is most diverse in the nests of M. agrestis and includes both primitive free-living forms and specialized obligatory (epizoic) parasites. The group with the highest diversity of mite species is that from the nest of M. agrestis, with the diversity index amounting to 2.65 (30 species, 18 genera, 11 families).     

Candidate predators for biological control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae

The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is currently a significant pest in the poultry industry in Europe. Biological control by the introduction of predatory mites is one of the various options for controlling poultry red mites. Here, we present the first results of an attempt to identify potential predators by surveying the mite fauna of European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) nests, by assessing their ability to feed on poultry red mites and by testing for their inability to extract blood from bird hosts, i.e., newly hatched, young starlings and chickens. Two genuine predators of poultry red mites are identified: Hypoaspis aculeifer and Androlaelaps casalis. A review of the literature shows that some authors suspected the latter species to parasitize on the blood of birds and mammals, but they did not provide experimental evidence for these feeding habits and/or overlooked published evidence showing the reverse. We advocate careful analysis of the trophic structure of arthropods inhabiting bird nests as a basis for identifying candidate predators for control of poultry red mites.     

Mesostigmatic mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in nests of the Eurasian griffon vulture (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gyps fulvus</Emphasis>) in Croatia

We examined the species composition and community structure of mites of the order Mesostigmata (Acari) in nests of the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus Hablizl, 1783) in Croatia. Material collected from 18 nests included 565 mites belonging to seven species. The most abundant species were Leiodinychus orbicularis (C.L. Koch, 1839) (Trematuridae) and Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese, 1887) (Laelapidae). The results were compared with the community structure and frequency of dominant species of Mesostigmata in nests of 32 other bird species. Leiodinychus orbicularis occurred in the nests of 13 species of birds. It is a typical nidicolous species which occurs most frequently in the perennial nests of birds of prey. In contrast, A. casalis rarely occurs in the nests of birds of prey.