Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York

Reported here from the Catskill Mountains of New York are 30 ectoparasites and other associates from 39 smoky shrews, Sorex fumeus, 17 from 11 masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, 11 from eight long-tailed shrews, Sorex dispar, and 31 from 44 rock voles, Microtus chrotorrhinus

New species and records of the mite genus Prolistrophorus (Acariformes: Listrophoridae) from rodents of the subfamily Sigmodontinae (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Six fur-mite species of the genus Prolistrophorus Fain, 1970 (Acariformes: Listrophoridae) were recorded from Central and South American rodents of the subfamily Sigmodontinae (Rodentia: Cricetidae). Among them, Prolistrophorus (Aprolistrophorus) parabidentatus sp. nov. from Akodon azarae from Argentina and Prolistrophorus (Aprolistrophorus) tylomys sp. nov. from Tylomys nudicaudus from Guatemala are described as new for science. New hosts are recorded for the following species: Prolistrophorus (Prolistrophorus) grassii (Radford, 1954) from Zygodontomys brevicauda from Colombia, P. (P.) frontalis (Hirst, 1921) from Oligoryzomys sp. from Argentina, P. (P.) argentinus (Hirst, 1921) from Melanomys caliginosus, Akodon affinis from Colombia and Scapteromys aquaticus from Argentina, Prolistrophorus (Beprolistrophorus) hirstianus Fain, 1973 from Scapteromys aquaticus from Argentina.Fil: Bochkov, Andre. Universitetskaya embankment. Zoological Institute; Rusia. University Of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Lareschi, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Barreto, Mauricio. Universidad del Valle. Departamento de Microbiología; Colombi

LISTROPHORID MITES ON LABORATORY ANIMALS IN PUERTO RICO

LISTROPHORID MITES ON LABORATORY ANIMALS IN PUERTO RIC

Factors associated with diversity, quantity and zoonotic potential of ectoparasites on urban mice and voles

Wild rodents are important hosts for tick larvae but co-infestations with other mites and insects are largely neglected. Small rodents were trapped at four study sites in Berlin, Germany, to quantify their ectoparasite diversity. Host-specific, spatial and temporal occurrence of ectoparasites was determined to assess their influence on direct and indirect zoonotic risk due to mice and voles in an urban agglomeration. Rodent-associated arthropods were diverse, including 63 species observed on six host species with an overall prevalence of 99%. The tick Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, found on 56% of the rodents. The trapping location clearly affected the presence of different rodent species and, therefore, the occurrence of particular host-specific parasites. In Berlin, fewer temporary and periodic parasite species as well as non-parasitic species (fleas, chiggers and nidicolous Gamasina) were detected than reported from rural areas. In addition, abundance of parasites with low host-specificity (ticks, fleas and chiggers) apparently decreased with increasing landscape fragmentation associated with a gradient of urbanisation. In contrast, stationary ectoparasites, closely adapted to the rodent host, such as the fur mites Myobiidae and Listrophoridae, were most abundant at the two urban sites. A direct zoonotic risk of infection for people may only be posed by Nosopsyllus fasciatus fleas, which were prevalent even in the city centre. More importantly, peridomestic rodents clearly supported the life cycle of ticks in the city as hosts for their subadult stages. In addition to trapping location, season, host species, body condition and host sex, infestation with fleas, gamasid Laelapidae mites and prostigmatic Myobiidae mites were associated with significantly altered abundance of I. ricinus larvae on mice and voles. Whether this is caused by predation, grooming behaviour or interaction with the host immune system is unclear. The present study constitutes a basis to identify interactions and vector function of rodent-associated arthropods and their potential impact on zoonotic diseases

The Biology of Geomylichus Gaomydis n. sp. (Acari: Listrophoridae) From the Plains Pocket Gopher, Geomys b. Bursarius (SHAW)

Geomylichus geomydis n. sp. is an obligate ectoparasite and associated with it on Geomys b. bursarius were large numbers of four other major ectoparasite species and small numbers of eight miscellaneous acarine taxa. Descriptions and measurements of life cycle stages of Geomylichus geomydis n. sp. are given. Geographical and host distribution records are also included. Seasonal population numbers of Geomylichus geomydis n. sp. and the other four major ectoparasite species were analyzed. Infestation rates for G. geomydis n. sp. were determined for seasons of the year and sexes and ages of the host. A least-squares analysis of variance was used to analyze species populations in the three variable categories: seasons of the year, sexes of the host and ages of the host. Significant differences were identified for G. geomydis n. sp. populations in total density/host, population age structure/host and adult sex structure/host. Infestation rates for the other four major species were determined for seasons only. Significant differences in total density/host were identified for three of these species populations. Peak populations of the obligate species and the intermittent species occurred during different seasons. No notable correlations between species densities or between species densities and host size criteria were obtained. The area of the host\u27s body infested by Geomylichus geomydis n. sp. was primarily limited to the lumbar region and the hind legs. Characteristic behavioral activity was exhibited in response to death of the host. Maximum survival time when removed from the host and placed in artificial situations was 120-138 hours. Body weights obtained for the female, male and nymphal stages were 0.007 mg, 0.006 mg and 0.003 mg, respectively

Multiple infestation by ectoparasitic mites in breeding rabbits

Six breeding rabbits (New Zealand strain) were observed with crusted and pruritic dermal lesions. These lesions were located predominantly in ears, nose, nails and feet. Dermal material collected by scraping showed the presence of three species of mange producer acari: Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi (Acaridida: Sarcoptidae, Psoroptes cuniculi (Acaridida: Psoroptidae), and Cheyletiella parasitivorax (Actinedida: Cheyletiellidae). In addition, rabbits were also infested with Leporacarus gibbus (Acaridida: Listrophoridae).The infestation of rabbits by each of these etiologic agents individually is currently common, but multiple infestation is rare and strongly exacerbates symptoms.Seis conejos de crianza de la cepa New Zealand fueron observados con un cuadro dérmico descamativo, altamente prurítico con lesiones severas en orejas, nariz, uñas y patas. Material colectado por raspado permitió el diagnóstico de tres especies de ácaros ectoparásitos productores de sarna: Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi (Acaridida: Sarcoptidae), Psoroptes cuniculi (Acaridida: Psoroptidae) y Cheyletiella parasitivorax (Actinedida: Cheyletiellidae). Adicionalmente los conejos estuvieron infestados con ácaros de la especie Leporacarus gibbus (Acaridida: Listrophoridae). Si bien es cierto estos cuatro agentes etiológicos son relativamente comunes en lo que respecta a infestar conejos, la infestación múltiple constituye un evento relativamente raro, generando una marcada exacerbación de la sintomatología.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de MicrobiologíaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos (LEBI

Ácaros parásitos de roedores de Playa de Oro, Colima, México

We report mites of rodents from Playa de Oro, Colima, Mexico. The genera of rodents sampled were: Heteromys pictus, Heteromys spectabilis, Baiomys musculus, Nyctomys sumichrasti, Oryzomys couesi, Oryzomys melanotis, Osgoodomys banderanus, Reithrodontomys fulvescens, and Sigmodon mascotensis. We recorded species of mites belonging to the families Laelapidae, Macronyssidae,Listrophoridae, and Myocoptidae that are on new hosts, whereas others are notable range extensions. Specimens collected represent first records from Mexico of Lepidoglyphus hylandi, Laelaps oryzomydis,and Prolistrophorus bakeri.Se reportan ácaros ectoparásitos en roedores colectados durante un estudio ecológico en Playa de Oro, en el estado de Colima, México. Los roedores revisados fueron: Heteromys pictus, Heteromys spectabilis, Baiomys musculus, Nyctomys sumichrasti, Oryzomys couesi, Oryzomys melanotis, Osgoodomys banderanus, Reithrodontomys fulvescens y Sigmodon mascotensis. Se registra la presencia de varias especies de ácaros de las familias Laelapidae, Macronyssidae, Listrophoridae y Myocoptidae en nuevos huéspedes y de algunas más se amplía su distribución. Se registra por primera vez para México a Lepidoglyphus hylandi, Laelaps oryzomydis y Prolistrophorus bakeri