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Experimental & Applied Acarology Jun 2017In this work, we compare morphological and molecular data in their ability to distinguish between species of water mites (Acari, Prostigmata, Hydrachnidia). We have...
In this work, we compare morphological and molecular data in their ability to distinguish between species of water mites (Acari, Prostigmata, Hydrachnidia). We have focused on the two species of the genus Lebertia inhabiting the island of Madeira. While traditional morphological traits were initially sufficient to distinguish between these two species, the molecular data were more dependable on the kind of analysis carried out. Single arbitrary genetic distance (e.g. a K2P distance below 2%) may lead to the conclusion that the specimens under study belong to the same species. Analysing the same specimens with the coalescent model has proved the evolutionary independence of both Lebertia clades in Madeira. Furthermore, multi-rate Poisson Tree Process analysis confirmed both lineages as independent species. Our results agree with previous studies warning of the dangers of rigid species delimitation based on arbitrary molecular distances. In addition, the importance of different molecular data approaches for correct species delimitation in water mites is highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Mites; Phylogeny; Portugal; Species Specificity
PubMed: 28623498
DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0147-5 -
Experimental & Applied Acarology Nov 2013Although biodiversity in nature is of fundamental importance because it improves the sustainability of ecosystems, communities of microscopic organisms are generally...
Although biodiversity in nature is of fundamental importance because it improves the sustainability of ecosystems, communities of microscopic organisms are generally excluded from conservation targets for biodiversity. Here, I hypothesize that mushroom mite species richness is correlated with both spatial (i.e., mushroom size) and temporal (i.e., longevity of fruiting bodies) resource availability. I collected fruiting bodies in an old-growth forest over 4 years to collect mites and insects inhabiting the mushrooms. Mites were collected from 47 % of the fruiting bodies and approximately 60 % of the mite species were collected only once. Mite species richness was significantly correlated with the availability of long-lasting fruiting bodies. For example, bracket fungi contained more mite species than ephemeral fruiting bodies. Insect presence was also correlated with mushroom mite richness, probably as phoretic hosts and food resources for predacious mites. On the other hand, mushroom size seemed to be less important; small fruiting bodies sometimes harbored several mite species. Although mite species richness was correlated with mushroom species richness, mushroom specificity by mites was not clear except for a preference for long-lasting fruiting bodies. Therefore, I suggest that a constant supply of coarse woody debris is crucial for maintaining preferred resources for mushroom mites (e.g., bracket fungi) and their associated insects (mycophilous and possibly saproxylic insects).
Topics: Agaricales; Animals; Demography; Ecosystem; Mites; Species Specificity; Time Factors
PubMed: 23613030
DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9696-4 -
Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Monthly May 1972
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Humans; Middle Aged; Mite Infestations; Mites; Skin Diseases, Parasitic
PubMed: 5021201
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Dec 2008The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is an obligatory blood-sucking parasite that is considered to be one of the most important ectoparasites in the poultry...
The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is an obligatory blood-sucking parasite that is considered to be one of the most important ectoparasites in the poultry industry, mainly because it is responsible for important economic losses, leads to a reduction of welfare of laying hens, and may pose a disease risk to humans. As a result of these problems, much of the current research on this parasite targets new methods of control. Less attention has been paid to the importance of D. gallinae as a carrier of vector-borne diseases. Some authors have mentioned the possible involvement of D. gallinae in the transmission (both in vitro and directly isolated from the mites) of viral and bacterial agents. Our research group has demonstrated the presence of Mycobacterium spp. within D. gallinae. DNA coding for Mycobacterium spp. was successfully amplified from unfed adult D. gallinae, larvae, and eggs by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The results have suggested the possible transovarial and transstadial transmission of pathogens by D. gallinae.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Mites; Poultry; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 19120224
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1428.085 -
Parasitology International Dec 2013As in other regions of the world, bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators in the neotropics. Despite its relevance, knowledge on their health is still...
As in other regions of the world, bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators in the neotropics. Despite its relevance, knowledge on their health is still limited in the region. While external acari are known to occur in these insects, presence of the internal, tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri is here reported for first time. After the examination of 2,508 individuals of eight Bombus species from Argentina, two workers of Bombus bellicosus and one of Bombus atratus were found parasitized by L. buchneri in localities within San Luis and Buenos Aires provinces, respectively. The rare occurrence recorded agrees with findings from elsewhere in the world.
Topics: Animals; Argentina; Bees; Female; Male; Mites; Ovum
PubMed: 23872435
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.07.006 -
Journal of Medical Entomology May 1990Cryostat sections of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, were probed in fluorescent microscopy studies with rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal...
Cryostat sections of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, were probed in fluorescent microscopy studies with rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for mite allergens including the major allergen, Der p I. Sections also were probed for allergens with sera from human mite-allergic subjects containing IgE antibodies to mite allergens and with lectins. Antibody binding was mainly to the gut lining and gut contents of the mite, although some specific labeling also was associated with the head region and cuticle. This is the first detailed localization of mite allergens in situ. The morphology of the mite was investigated using plastic embedded thin sections and was found to be similar to that previously described for D. farinae.
Topics: Allergens; Animals; Antigens; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Humans; Mites
PubMed: 2332879
DOI: 10.1093/jmedent/27.3.368 -
Zootaxa Aug 2014The first description of a fossil representative of Paratrombiinae from the Rovno amber, Paratrombium rovniense sp. nov., based on an unengorged larva, is provided. The...
The first description of a fossil representative of Paratrombiinae from the Rovno amber, Paratrombium rovniense sp. nov., based on an unengorged larva, is provided. The discovery results in a re-definition of the Paratrombiinae and of Paratrombium, which also comprise species with two pectinalae on coxa I.
Topics: Amber; Animal Structures; Animals; Body Size; Fossils; Mites; Organ Size; Ukraine
PubMed: 25112361
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3847.4.8 -
Zootaxa Jul 2016Members of the Tydeidae are cosmopolitan, soft-bodied, striated or reticulated mites that are reported to be mainly phytophages, mycophages, pollenophages, insect...
Members of the Tydeidae are cosmopolitan, soft-bodied, striated or reticulated mites that are reported to be mainly phytophages, mycophages, pollenophages, insect parasites or scavengers. This catalogue includes 328 species belonging to 30 genera, and their distributions and type habitat. Until now, Brachytydeus comprises the largest number of species with 200, followed by Tydeus, with 50 species, and Pretydeus and Pseudolorryia, with 12 species each. An updated list of the Tydeidae (Acari: Prostigmata), a world key to the species and data on the zoogeographical distribution of the species are presented.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Female; Male; Mites; Species Specificity
PubMed: 27395702
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4135.1.1 -
The Journal of Parasitology Apr 2008The external morphology of 2 closely related mite families, Cloacaridae and Epimyodicidae (Acari: Prostigmata), comprising highly specialized endoparasites of...
The external morphology of 2 closely related mite families, Cloacaridae and Epimyodicidae (Acari: Prostigmata), comprising highly specialized endoparasites of vertebrates, is analyzed. These mites exhibit strong regression of many structures ancestrally present in other Prostigmata as a consequence of their endoparasitic mode of life. The relationships of these 2 families with other taxa in the infraorder Eleutherengona are still not clear. Our reinterpretation of the chelicerae as unfused precludes inclusion of this lineage in the Cheyletoidea as proposed previously. A new superfamily, Cloacaroidea superfam, nov., incertae sedis, within the infraorder Eleutherengona is established for these 2 families, and their host-parasite relationships are briefly discussed. A new cloacarid species, Caminacarus dawsoni n. sp., from Graptemys pseudogeographica (Testudines: Emydidae) from the United States is also described.
Topics: Animals; Arvicolinae; Eulipotyphla; Female; Host-Parasite Interactions; Male; Mite Infestations; Mites; Strigiformes; Turtles
PubMed: 18564734
DOI: 10.1645/GE-930.1 -
Experimental & Applied Acarology Jun 2009The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is currently a significant pest in the poultry industry in Europe. Biological control by the introduction of predatory mites...
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.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Ecosystem; Feeding Behavior; Food Chain; Mites; Pest Control, Biological; Population Density; Predatory Behavior; Seasons; Starlings
PubMed: 19184469
DOI: 10.1007/s10493-009-9239-1