The Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis) as a potential reservoir and host of arthropod vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary importance in South Africa

BACKGROUND : The role of endemic murid rodents as hosts of arthropod vectors of diseases of medical and veterinary significance is well established in the northern hemisphere. In contrast, endemic murids are comparatively understudied as vector hosts in Africa, particularly in South Africa. Considering the great rodent diversity in South Africa, many of which may occur as human commensals, this is unwarranted. METHODS : In the current study we assessed the ectoparasite community of a widespread southern African endemic, the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), that is known to carry Bartonella spp. and may attain pest status. We aimed to identify possible vectors of medical and/or veterinary importance which this species may harbour and explore the contributions of habitat type, season, host sex and body size on ectoparasite prevalence and abundance. RESULTS : Small mammal abundance was substantially lower in grasslands compared to rocky outcrops. Although the small mammal community comprised of different species in the two habitats, M. namaquensis was the most abundant species in both habitat types. From these 23 ectoparasite species from four taxa (fleas, ticks, mites and lice) were collected. However, only one flea (Xenopsylla brasiliensis) and one tick species (Haemaphysalis elliptica) have a high zoonotic potential and have been implicated as vectors for Yersinia pestis and Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia conorii, respectively. The disease status of the most commonly collected tick (Rhipicephalus distinctus) is currently unknown. Only flea burdens differed markedly between habitat types and increased with body size. With the exception of lice, all parasite taxa exhibited seasonal peaks in abundance during spring and summer. CONCLUSION : M. namaquensis is the dominant small mammal species irrespective of habitat type. Despite the great ectoparasite diversity harboured by M. namaquensis, only a small number of these are known as vectors of diseases of medical and/or veterinary importance but occur at high prevalence and/or abundance. This raises concern regarding the potential of this host as an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling throughout its distributional range and research addressing the role of M. namaquensis as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa is urgently needed.University of Pretoria (EC015-10).Third World Organization for Women in Science(TWOWS) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).http://www.parasitesandvectors.comhb201

Ectoparasites associated with the Bushveld gerbil (Gerbilliscus leucogaster) and the role of the host and habitat in shaping ectoparasite diversity and infestations

Rodents are known hosts for various ectoparasite taxa such as fleas, lice, ticks and mites. South Africa is recognized for its animal diversity, yet little is published about the parasite diversity associated with wild rodent species. By focusing on a wildlife-human/domestic animal interface, the study aims to record ectoparasite diversity and levels of infestations of the Bushveld gerbil, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, and to establish the relationship between ectoparasite infestation parameters and host- and habitat factors. Rodents (n = 127) were trapped in 2 habitat types (natural and agricultural) during 2014–2020. More than 6500 individuals of 32 epifaunistic species represented by 21 genera and belonging to 5 taxonomic groups (fleas, sucking lice, ticks, mesostigmatan mites and trombiculid mites) were collected. Mesostigmatan mites and lice were the most abundant and fleas and mesostigmatan mites the most prevalent groups. Flea and mesostigmatan mite numbers and mesostigmatan mite species richness was significantly higher on reproductively active male than female rodents. Only ticks were significantly associated with habitat type, with significantly higher tick numbers and more tick species on rodents in the natural compared to the agricultural habitat. We conclude that the level of infestation by ectoparasites closely associated with the host (fleas and mites) was affected by host-associated factors, while infestation by ectoparasite that spend most of their life in the external environment (ticks) was affected by habitat type

Ectoparasitic community of the Mahali mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus mahali : potential host for vectors of medical importance in South Africa

BACKGROUND: The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, particularly South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of signifcant medical importance. Considering the diversity and wide distribution of African mole-rats in South Africa, many of these bathyergids could act as carriers of zoonoses. METHODS: The present study assessed the ectoparasite community of the Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali). We aimed to identify possible parasitic arthropods that may infest this mole-rat species and explore host preference, contributions of seasonality, host sex and body mass as well as social class and colony size on ectoparasite assemblage prevalence and abundance. RESULTS: A limited number of ectoparasite species were found on C. h. mahali belonging to two signifcant taxa: mites (Acari) and feas, with mites being the most prevalent and abundant. We recorded the presence of X. philoxera, a fea well known as the principal reservoir of plague in the southern African region on the Mahali mole-rats. Only three mite species were collected: Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis and Laelaps liberiensis. Seasonal peaks in prevalence and abundance of X. philoxera and A. scapularis were observed during summer. Xenopsylla philoxera abundance and A. scapularis loads signifcantly increased on reproductive mole-rat individuals in comparison to nonreproductive individuals. CONCLUSION: Despite the wide distribution of the subterranean African mole-rats, studies investigating their parasitic fauna remain limited and scarce. This dearth in knowledge raises the concern regarding their potential role as an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling of their ectoparasitic community throughout their distributional range and research addressing their role as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa are urgently needed.SARChI chair of Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology from the DST-NRF South Africa; National Research Foundation and University of Pretoria, South Africa.https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.compm2022Zoology and Entomolog

Linking morphological and molecular taxonomy for the identification of poultry house, soil, and nest dwelling mites in the Western Palearctic

Because of its ability to expedite specimen identification and species delineation, the barcode index number (BIN) system presents a powerful tool to characterize hyperdiverse invertebrate groups such as the Acari (mites). However, the congruence between BINs and morphologically recognized species has seen limited testing in this taxon. We therefore apply this method towards the development of a barcode reference library for soil, poultry litter, and nest dwelling mites in the Western Palearctic. Through analysis of over 600 specimens, we provide DNA barcode coverage for 35 described species and 70 molecular taxonomic units (BINs). Nearly 80% of the species were accurately identified through this method, but just 60% perfectly matched (1:1) with BINs. High intraspecific divergences were found in 34% of the species examined and likely reflect cryptic diversity, highlighting the need for revision in these taxa. These findings provide a valuable resource for integrative pest management, but also highlight the importance of integrating morphological and molecular methods for fine-scale taxonomic resolution in poorly-known invertebrate lineages

Itching for an Answer: Gall-Forming Biological Control Agent Contains an Itch Mite Species Found at Localities Known for Periodic ‘Bite Outbreaks’

Biological control is an attractive option for controlling invasive plant species that are difficult to manage otherwise. However, the release of a non-native species as a biological control agent carries risks. The most obvious risk relates to impacts on plant species other than the plant species targeted for control. There are, however, also other risks. We report on a potential unintended impact of Dasineura dielsi, a gall-forming biological control agent that was released against Acacia cyclops in South Africa in 2003. We confirmed that the galls formed by D. dielsi on A. cyclops harbor mites in the genus Pyemotes (P. cf. ventricosus) within their gall structures, which are parasites of various insect species, but are also known to cause dermatitis in humans. Sporadic biting incidences have been reported in at least two locations in South Africa. The implications are that manual clearing of A. cyclops may expose humans to itch mites and to risks of bites. Gall-forming insects and fungi are known to create niches for herbivores and other gall-associated fauna. Although every possible food web interaction cannot be predicted, enough evidence exists to require that agent screening to include non-target risks other than those pertaining to non-host plants. Testing only whether agents are compromised by interactions with non-target plant species is not sufficient during agent evaluation. If such associations are known from the native range and therefore can form in the introduced range, then any known risk to health and socio-economic activities should be disclosed. We argue for the general development of objective assessment of such risks compared with the benefits potentially accruing from successful biological control of the target plant

Paragigagnathus

Key to the species of Paragigagnathus treated in this paper 1 All dorsal setae serrate except z 5, smooth; spermatheca with atrium bulbous and calyx dish-shaped......... ............................................................................................................ P. cataractus (Ueckermann & Loots) - All dorsal setae smooth; spermatheca with atrium almost indistinct and calyx funnel-shaped.......................................................................................................................... P. namibiaensis (Ueckermann & Loots).Published as part of De, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D. & Ueckermann, Eddie A., 2007, Phytoseiid mites of the tribes Afroseiulini, Kampimodromini and Phytoseiulini, and complementary notes on mites of the tribes Euseiini and Neoseiulini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 1-22 in Zootaxa 1628 on page 19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17933

Paraamblyseiulella transmontanus Ueckermann & Loots

Paraamblyseiulella transmontanus (Ueckermann & Loots) Amblyseius (Paraphytoseius) transmontanus Ueckermann & Loots, 1987: 223. Paraamblyseiulella transmontanus, Chant & McMurtry, 2003 b: 199; Moraes et al., 2004: 156. Remarks: This species was described from specimens collected in a location between Napier and Bredasdorp, Cape Province, South Africa, on Rhus pyroides (Anacardiaceae). No additional specimens were collected in the present study. World distribution. South Africa.Published as part of De, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D. & Ueckermann, Eddie A., 2007, Phytoseiid mites of the tribes Afroseiulini, Kampimodromini and Phytoseiulini, and complementary notes on mites of the tribes Euseiini and Neoseiulini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 1-22 in Zootaxa 1628 on page 7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17933

Paragigagnathus Amitai & Grinberg

Paragigagnathus Amitai & Grinberg Paragigagnathus Amitai & Grinberg, 1971: 327; Chant & McMurtry, 2003 a: 39; Moraes et al., 2004: 158. Afrogigagnathus Yousef, 1974: 381 (synonymy, Chant & McMurtry 2003 a). Amblyseius (Pamiroseius), Karg, 1983: 313. (Chant & McMurtry 2003 a). Ansaria Chaudhri, Akbar & Rasool, 1979: 63 (synonymy, Chant & McMurtry 2003 a). Pamiroseius Wainstein, 1973: 954 (synonymy, Chant & McMurtry 2003 a). Phytocerus Amitai & Swirski, 1978: 124 (synonymy, Chant & McMurtry 2003 a). Key characteristics of species in this genus are: dorsal shield strongly sclerotized, often strongly ornamented; idiosomal setal pattern 10 A: 9 B/JV- 3:ZV; peritreme reaching or almost reaching level of j 1; sternal shield as long as wide, with posterior margin variable, ST 3 inserted on or off the shield; genital shield with posterior margin truncate; ventrianal shield much longer than wide, usually sole-shaped, with 2 or 3 pairs of preanal setae, with seta JV 2 well posterior to JV 1; seta ZV 2 close to longitudinal line between bases of JV 1 and JV 2; spermatheca with atrium usually bulbous and calyx cup-, dish-or funnel-shaped; fixed cheliceral digit with 1 – 3 apical teeth; primary metapodal shield usually long, narrow; legs without macrosetae or with a single macroseta on basitarsus IV.Published as part of De, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D. & Ueckermann, Eddie A., 2007, Phytoseiid mites of the tribes Afroseiulini, Kampimodromini and Phytoseiulini, and complementary notes on mites of the tribes Euseiini and Neoseiulini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 1-22 in Zootaxa 1628 on page 19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17933

Kampimoseiulella reburrus

Kampimoseiulella reburrus (Van der Merwe) Amblyseius (Proprioseius) reburrus Van der Merwe, 1968: 165. Kampimoseiulella reburrus, Chant & McMurtry, 2003 b: 199; Moraes et al., 2004: 96. Remarks: This species was described from specimens collected in Golden Gate Highland National Park, Free State Province (former Orange Free State), South Africa, on Leucosidea sericea (Rosaceae). No additional specimens were collected in the present study. World distribution. South Africa.Published as part of De, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D. & Ueckermann, Eddie A., 2007, Phytoseiid mites of the tribes Afroseiulini, Kampimodromini and Phytoseiulini, and complementary notes on mites of the tribes Euseiini and Neoseiulini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 1-22 in Zootaxa 1628 on page 7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17933

Phytoseiulus

Key to the species of Phytoseiulus treated in this paper 1 Setae j 5 and S 5 absent, JV 4 present ................................................................................. P. longipes Evans - Setae j 5 and S 5 present, JV 4 absent............................................................................................................ 2 2 Ventrianal shield with 1 pair of preanal setae ............................................................. P. macropilis (Banks) - Ventranal shield without preanal setae............................................................. P. persimilis Athias-HenriotPublished as part of De, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D. & Ueckermann, Eddie A., 2007, Phytoseiid mites of the tribes Afroseiulini, Kampimodromini and Phytoseiulini, and complementary notes on mites of the tribes Euseiini and Neoseiulini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, pp. 1-22 in Zootaxa 1628 on page 15, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17933