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.     

Diagnoses of and illustrated key to the species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes</Emphasis> Latreille, 1795 (Acari: Ixodidae) from Brazil

The current Brazilian Ixodes fauna is composed of the following eight species: I. amarali Fonseca, 1935; I. aragaoi Fonseca, 1935; I. auritulus Neumann, 1904; I. fuscipes Koch, 1844; I. loricatus Neumann, 1899; I. luciae Sénevet, 1940; I. paranaensis Barros-Battesti, Arzua, Pichorim &; Keirans, 2003; and I. schulzei Aragão &; Fonseca, 1951. Further studies are needed to establish the taxonomic status of I. serrafreirei Amorim, Gazeta, Bossi &; Linhares, 2003, a recently proposed species based solely on the nymphal stage. We present an up-to-date key to adults of the currently valid Brazilian species of Ixodes based on scanning electron microscopy. The relationships between Brazilian and other Neotropical Ixodes are also discussed.     

New hosts for the mite Ornithonyssus bursa in Argentina

The mite Ornithonyssus bursa (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) is considered a poultry pest causing important infestations in chickens and it is considered a potential vector of arbovirus. Despite being considered a common parasite in wild birds, there is scarce published information about its potential hosts and effects on them. Here we present new bird hosts for O. bursa, assess the presence of Alphavirus, Flavivirus and Bunyavirus in mites from three host species, and discuss its potential impact on wild bird populations. We found O. bursa infecting five raptor and six passerine wild bird species. For nine of these species, this is the first record of infection by O. bursa. Although all analysed mites were negative for the examined arboviruses, the small sample size of mites does not allow further conclusions at the present moment. Because of the general nature of this ectoparasite, its presence in migratory long dispersal and endangered bird species, and the seropositivity for arboviruses in some of the species studied here, we consider it critical to assess the role of O. bursa and other ectoparasites as vectors and reservoirs of pathogens and as potential deleterious agents in wild bird populations.     

Some laelapine mites (Acari: Laelapidae) ectoparasitic on small mammals in the Galapagos Islands, including a new species of Gigantolaelaps from Aegialomys galapagoensis

A collection of laelapine mites from small mammals in the Galapagos Islands are identified and their host distributions reviewed. Two species of native rodents, Aegialomys galapagoensis and Nesoryzomys narboroughii, were infested only with laelapine species typical of Neotropical oryzomyine rodents; Rattus rattus was infested with Laelaps nuttalli, a host-specific ectoparasite endemic to Old World Rattus. A synopsis of Gigantolaelaps Fonseca is provided and we describe a new laelapine mite, Gigantolaelaps aegialomys n. sp., from the pelage of the rodent A. galapagoensis on Santa Fe Island. The new species has strong morphological affinities with a subgroup of Gigantolaelaps associated with a group of semiaquatic oryzomyine rodents ( Holochilus, Nectomys, Sooretamys, Pseudoryzomys , Oryzomys palustris). The other nominal species of this group, Gigantolaelaps mattogrossensis (Fonseca, 1935) and Gigantolaelaps goyanensis Fonseca, 1939 , are characterized by 10 setae on Tibia IV, large metapodal shields, and spiniform setae on Coxae I. Gigantolaelaps aegialomys is distinguished from these species by a lack of clearly spiniform setae on Coxa I, with setiform distal seta longer than the proximal; metapodal shields about the same size as the stigma; less than 100 μm separating the first pair of sternal setae.     

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

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

Host-parasite relationships in gamasid mites of the genus Hirstionyssus (Acari:Parasitiformes:Gamasina) in the south of the West Siberian Plain

The paper reports data on host-parasite relationships in gamasid mites of the genus Hirstionyssus Fonseca and small mammals in the south of the West Siberian Plain.     

Some ascaridoid nematodes of fishes: Paranisakis and Mawsonascaris n. g.

As a result of examination of type-material and other specimens representing species previously assigned to Paranisakis Baylis, 1923, it is proposed that this genus be reduced to one species, namely P. squatinae Baylis, 1923. The other species are distributed as follows: pastinacae Rudolphi, 1819, australis Johnston & Mawson, 1943 and laymani Mozgovoy, 1950 are assigned to a new genus Mawsonascaris. The main features differentiating Mawsonascaris from Paranisakis are: dentigerous ridges on the lips (absent in Paranisakis), digitiform extensions of the labial pulp (absent in Paranisakis), excretory pore posterior to the nerve-ring (anterior to the nerve-ring in Paranisakis) and long filiform spicules (short and stout in Paranisakis). The following new host records are reported: Rhinobatos cemiculus for P. squatinae; and Aptychotrema banksii, Rhinobatos batillum, Rhynchobatus dijddensis and Taeniura lymma for M. australis. Specimens were not available from teleosts. It is considered that the proposal of Yamaguti (1961) to raise the subgenus Ortoanisakis Mozgovoy, 1951 to full generic status be upheld provisionally, Ortoanisakis containing species from teleosts, formerly in Paranisakis, but described as having no dentigerous ridges and no gubernaculum. These include O. lophii (Yamaguti, 1935), O. halieutaeae (Yamaguti 1941), O. muraenesocis (Yamaguti, 1935), O. lophii hoplobrotulae (Yamaguti, 1941) and O. sciaenae Khan & Begum, 1971. The remaining species formerly in Paranisakis are relegated to the status of species inquirendae.     

Arthropod parasites of the red‐bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus introduced into Argentina

The introduction of an exotic species usually modifies parasite–host dynamics by the import of new parasites or the exotic species' acquiral of local parasites. The loss of parasites may determine the outcome of an invasion if the introduced species is liberated from co‐evolved parasites in its range of invasion. In addition, an introduced species may pose sanitary risks to humans and other mammals if it serves as a reservoir of pathogens or carries arthropod vectors. The red‐bellied squirrel, Callosciurus erythraeus (Pallas) (Rodentia: Sciuridae), was introduced into Argentina in 1970, since when several foci of invasion have been closely associated with humans. Investigation of the parasitological fauna of C. erythraeus in Argentina will generate new information about novel parasite–host dynamics and may provide new insight into the reasons for the successful invasion of this species. The objective of this study was to describe the arthropod parasites of C. erythraeus in Argentina in comparison with previous studies of parasites of this species in its native habitat and in the ranges of its invasion. Occasional host–parasite associations with local arthropod parasites not previously described for C. erythraeus are reported; these include the mites Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Ewing) (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) and Ornithonyssus cf. bacoti (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae), the flea Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus Jordan (Siphonaptera: Rhopalopsyllidae) and the botfly Cuterebra Clark (Diptera: Oestridae: Cuterebrinae). Cheyletus sp. mites (Trombidiformes: Cheyletidae) were also found. The low prevalence and mean intensity of ectoparasite species may influence invasion dynamics.     

Species delimitation in sharpnose sharks (genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoprionodon</Emphasis>) in the western Atlantic Ocean using mitochondrial DNA

Despite Springer’s (1964) revision of the sharpnose sharks (genus Rhizoprionodon), the taxonomic definition and ranges of Rhizoprionodon in the western Atlantic Ocean remains problematic. In particular, the distinction between Rhizoprionodon terraenovae and R. porosus, and the occurrence of R. terraenovae in South American waters are unresolved issues involving common and ecologically important species in need of fishery management in Caribbean and southwest Atlantic waters. In recent years, molecular markers have been used as efficient tools for the detection of cryptic species and to address controversial taxonomic issues. In this study 415 samples of the genus Rhizoprionodon captured in the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to southern Brazil were examined for sequences of the COI gene and the D-loop and evaluated for nucleotide differences. The results on nucleotide composition, AMOVA tests, and relationship distances using Bayesian-likelihood method and haplotypes network, corroborates Springer’s (1964) morphometric and meristic finding and provide strong evidence that supports consideration of R. terraenovae and R. porosus as distinct species.     

The true identity of Obama (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) flatworm spreading across Europe

Since 2008 there have been many records in Europe (British Isles, Spain, France, Italy) of a large terrestrial planarian morphologically very similar to the Brazilian species Obama marmorata. Sequences of mitochondrial (Cox1) and nuclear (18S, 28S, ITS‐1 and EF) genes from European specimens and some from Brazil indicate that they belong to a species different from that of other specimens also collected in Brazil. Moreover, the phylogenetic results show that they are not sister‐species. Histological sections of both Brazilian and European specimens reveal subtle morphological differences between the two species. Obama marmorata is confined to Brazil, and the second, herein described new species, O bama nungara sp. nov. , is found in Brazil and Europe. These cryptic species may be syntopic in areas in Brazil. The new species occurs in human‐modified environments both in Brazil and in Europe. We also conclude that the specimens from Spain and Argentina identified previously as Obama marmorata belong to the new species.     

Ectoparasites from fruit bats and rats on Niue Island

Examination of 3 species of mammals from Niue Island revealed the following host/ectoparasite associations. Rattus rattus (L.) : the mites Androlaelaps casalis, Laelaps echidninus, L. nuttalli, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Listrophoroides cucullatus, and Dermatophagoides pteronys‐sinus; and the louse Polyplax spinulosa. Rattus exulans (Peale) : L. echidninus, L. nuttali, and L. cucullatus; and the louse Hoplopleura pacifica. Pteropus t. tonganus Quoy & Gaimard: the mite Meristaspis calcarata. These new records for the island are discussed in relation to existing records from the Pacific region.     

Four new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe</Emphasis> (Aloaceae) from Ethiopia,with notes on the ethics of describing new taxa from foreign countries

Subsequent to the treatment of the Aloaceae, with 38 species of Aloe, in the Flora of Ethiopia (Sebsebe Demissew & Gilbert 1997), four more species, Aloe bertemariae Sebsebe & Dioli (2000), A. friisii Sebsebe & M. G. Gilbert (2000), A. clarkei L. E. Newton (2002) and A. elkerriana Dioli & T. A. McCoy (2007) have been described from that country. Here four additional new species are described: Aloe benishangulana Sebsebe & Tesfaye from near Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz in Welega floristic region; A. ghibensis Sebsebe & Friis from the Ghibe Gorge, Kefa floristic region; A. weloensis Sebsebe from near Dessie in Welo floristic region and A. welmelensis Sebsebe & Nordal along the Welmel River in Bale floristic region. The phytogeographical positions of the new species are assessed by comparison with the previously known species. Complications with the deposition of type material of A. clarkei and A. elkerriana is used to raise various issues regarding the ethics of describing new taxa from foreign countries.     

Diversity of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity of Phytoseiidae in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo State, Brazil, and to estimate the possible role of this ecosystem as a reservoir for mites of this family. Samples were taken from 187 plant species belonging to 73 plant families in three vegetation types of the Atlantic Forest, from February 2001 to October 2002. In total, 1102 specimens of 54 species belonging to 20 genera of the three phytoseiid subfamilies were found. Most specimens (93%) and species (91%) belonged to the Amblyseiinae. The majority of species found belong to taxonomic groups largely composed of generalist predators (especially Amblyseius and Euseius). In general, the more abundant mites were found on a diversity of plant species, but a few of the abundant species were found on only a small number of plant species. Only nine of the mites encountered during this study are of known agricultural importance. The results obtained suggest the importance of the wide plant diversity in the region to sustain a wide diversity of phytoseiids. The extensive clearance of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a threat to the diversity of these mites, important predators of mite pests.     

Site-specific fatty acid composition in adipose tissues of several northern aquatic and terrestrial mammals

Site-specific differences in fatty acid compositions (by gas-liquid chromatography) were compared in aquatic, semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals: the ringed seals (Phoca hispida hispida and P. h. botnica), otter (Lutra lutra), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), brown bear (Ursus arctos) and grey wolf (Canis lupus). In addition, we briefly discuss our earlier results for the Canadian beaver (Castor canadensis) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). In both aquatic and terrestrial species, large amounts of Δ9-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and small amounts of saturated fatty acids and exogenous long-chain MUFAs were found in the cold tissues of the extremities. In seals, the poikilothermic outer blubber had these characteristics and differed from the inner blubber. On the other hand, the subcutaneous and inner fat depots of the coated semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals were uniform. In the bare extremities, however, these mammals also had an excess of A9-MUFAs. The degree of Δ9-desaturation in the outer blubber of the seals was significantly correlated with age. The excess of Δ9-MUFAs in the bare extremities of land mammals increased the overall double bond content of these tissues compared with the inner depots. In contrast, due to the large amounts of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, this was not found in the aquatic and semiaquatic species. The observed site-specific differences are discussed as possible inherited evolutionary adaptations to low temperature of the tissues.     

Higher expression of renal sulfoglycolipids in marine mammals

Patterns and contents of major acidic glycosphingolipids in the kidney of three marine mammalian species, the Steller sea lion (Pinnipedia), the rough-toothed dolphin and the broad-beaked dolphin (Odontoceti), were examined, and compared with those of terrestrial mesic mammals. The profile of major acidic glycosphingolipids was not significantly different between the terrestrial and marine mammals: predominant gangliosides were GM3 and GD3, and major sulfoglycolipids were SM4s and SM3. On the other hand, the total concentration (nmol/g wet tissue) of sulfoglycolipids was considerably higher in the marine mammals (2.3–3.0 times) than that in the terrestrial mesic mammals with comparable body weights. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the level of renal glycolipids-bound sialic acid between the marine and the terrestrial mammals. These results suggest that higher expression of renal sulfoglycolipids in marine mammals may contribute to the maintenance of osmotic balance of their body fluid against sea water. We dedicate this article to the memory of Prof. Ishizuka (deceased). Abbreviations for lipids follow those of the IUPAC-IUB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature [1] and the symbols for sulfoglycolipids follow the system of Ishizuka [2].     

Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) in Sweden

Haematophagous mites were collected from the vent region and plumage of chickens in six hobby flocks of ornamental breeds in Sweden, one of which included turkeys. Soiled vent skin and feathers, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, skin necroses and ulcers were observed in 12 necropsied birds from two of the flocks. The mites were identified as the northern fowl mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae). This was supported by sequence analysis of a 642‐bp region in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene (COI) in mites collected from five flocks, which showed 97–99% sequence similarity to O. sylviarum by blast analysis. Pairwise sequence comparisons revealed nucleotide variations in the range of 0–2.8%, whereas amino acid sequences were highly conserved. This paper represents one of very few records of O. sylviarum in European poultry, and is the first to report COI sequence data for O. sylviarum from poultry in Europe.     

Overpasses intended for human use can be crossed by middle and large-size mammals

Road overpasses cost more than underpasses and can be built for most terrestrial mammals to resolve and/or minimize effects from habitat fragmentation. Many overpasses intended for human activity might also allow wildlife passage. Using digital infrared cameras from 2015 to 2016 in Hokkaido, Japan, we evaluated such use in three overpasses, where two were designed for humans and one for wildlife. Nine mammal species were detected at the three overpasses. Three middle-sized mammals—raccoons (Procyon lotor), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides)—and a large mammal species, the sika deer (Cervus nippon), frequently used all of the overpasses. Our results showed that the overpass designed for wildlife was richer in species than the two overpasses for humans. However, results also showed that there were no significant differences in use among four animal species in the three overpasses. We propose the construction of small overpasses without plants to conserve habitat reconnection of middle-sized to large mammals. Arboreal species’ habitats need structural change with additional of plants.