First report of the ticks Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, Haemaphysalis parva (Neumann, 1897) and Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) (Acari, Amblyommidae) from humans in Lebanon

Purpose: Knowledge on ticks infesting humans is scarce for the middle East. In this work, tick specimens (Acari: Amblyommidae) infesting humans in Lebanon were identified. Methods: Ticks that were found on humans were received in the Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences. The specimens were preserved in alcohol for their further morphological identification morphological identification. Results: Three tick species were identified: a red sheep tick Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini et Fanzago, 1878, a Mediterranean ear tick H. parva (Neumann, 1897), and an ornate sheep tick Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776); all isolated from human hosts. Conclusion: This is the 1st report of Haemaphysalis punctata, H. parva and Dermacentor marginatus from central and North Lebanon infesting humans

First record of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 (Acari, Parasitidae) and its phoretic carriers in the Iberian peninsula

We report for the first time the presence of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 in the South of Europe, in the Iberian peninsula and on new carrier insects. Mites were collected from carrion insects, during a decomposition experiment carried out in the natural park “Aiako Harria” (Errenteria, Gipuzkoa). Most deutonymphs were found on the body of the necrophagous beetle Necrodes littoralis (Coleoptera, Silphidae). Other species of insects in families Geotrupidae, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and Calliphoridae (Diptera) were also transporting mites. All carriers were colonising or visiting the pig carcasses. Sampling lasted 3 months in the summers 2009 and 2010. Most mites were sampled from bloat to advanced decay. This is also the first record of P. mrciaki phoretic on flies (Diptera)

Soil bulb mites as trace evidence for the location of buried money

This study reports for the first time the use of soil micro-invertebrates, mites, as trace evidence to localise buried objects such as money. The case relates to a crime in Germany, where a large sum of banknotes had been hidden in an unknown location, likely abroad. In 2016, part of the money (approx. €500,000 in €500 value notes) was confiscated by the police and once analysed in the forensic lab, it was discovered that the notes were covered with small particles of a sort of debris, later identified as specimens of Rhizoglyphus howensis Manson, a non-European, nor Mediterranean species of root or bulb mites (Acaridae: Rhizoglyphinae). The restricted biogeographic distribution of R. howensis, in unspoiled forest soil in the Australasian region limited the search for the money to the areas visited by the perpetrators during their trips into the region. R. howensis biology can provide even with more clues on the whereabouts of the banknotes, as they are specialist plant feeders, exclusively feeding on seeds of palm trees and on roots of Quercus patula in the Australian region. This report aims to highlight the importance of the correct identification of the microscopic organisms associated with a crime scene and the immediate retrieval of micro-invertebrate trace evidence. This is the first record of R. howensis from Europe, and from banknotes

Geographical limits of the Southeastern distribution of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera, Culicidae) in Argentina

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) is a human-biting mosquito and the primary vector of human dengue and yellow fever viruses; it is also considered the principal vector of Chikungunya virus in Asia. In particular, dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever constitute an important burden to humankind in terms of morbidity and mortality. About 3.6 billion people in the tropics, mainly in Asia, the Western Pacific region, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, live under risk of infection with one or more of the four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1 to DEN-4), and recent reports estimate over 230 million infections, over 2 million cases of the severe form of the disease, and 21,000 deaths. (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Geographical limits of the Southeastern distribution of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera, Culicidae) in Argentina

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) is a human-biting mosquito and the primary vector of human dengue and yellow fever viruses; it is also considered the principal vector of Chikungunya virus in Asia. In particular, dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever constitute an important burden to humankind in terms of morbidity and mortality. About 3.6 billion people in the tropics, mainly in Asia, the Western Pacific region, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, live under risk of infection with one or more of the four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1 to DEN-4), and recent reports estimate over 230 million infections, over 2 million cases of the severe form of the disease, and 21,000 deaths. (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Geographical limits of the Southeastern distribution of <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (Diptera, Culicidae) in Argentina

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) is a human-biting mosquito and the primary vector of human dengue and yellow fever viruses; it is also considered the principal vector of Chikungunya virus in Asia. In particular, dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever constitute an important burden to humankind in terms of morbidity and mortality. About 3.6 billion people in the tropics, mainly in Asia, the Western Pacific region, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, live under risk of infection with one or more of the four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1 to DEN-4), and recent reports estimate over 230 million infections, over 2 million cases of the severe form of the disease, and 21,000 deaths.\n(Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)</i

Mites (Acari) as a relevant tool in trace evidence and postmortem analyses of buried corpses

This report interprets the presence of mite species in three clandestine graves in Europe, evaluating their potential use as trace evidence or markers. Grave 1 (Sweden): Two mite species Rhizoglyphus robini Claparède, 1869 and Parasitus loricatus (Wankel, 1861) were recovered from the surface of a body buried in a shallow grave in an area surrounded by trees, in close vicinity to house gardens. Grave 2 (Germany): Phoretic deutonymphs of Gamasodes spiniger (Trägårdh, 1910) were attached to an adult fly (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) found within a shallow grave containing two human bodies covered in soil and dung. Grave 3 (France): P. loricatus were recovered from the soil around a body buried in a deep grave (80 cm under). In graves 1 and 3 both corpses were undergoing advanced decay and skeletisation, the locations match with the subterranean habit of P. loricatus; highlighting the value of this species as a marker of graves or burials in soil and during late decomposition. R. robini is a soil mite that feeds on decayed roots and bulbs; this mite species confirms the location of the corpse within top soil, agreeing with a more specific type of superficial burial, a shallow grave. In case 2, the presence of both coprophiles, the mite G. spiniger and the carrier fly confirm association of remains with dung or animal faeces. The three mite species are reported for the first time in human graves. There are no previous records of R. robini from Sweden

Mesostigmata diversity by manure type. A reference study and new datasets from southwestern Iran.

Manure-inhabiting Mesostigmata mites are important biological control agents of pest flies. However, the biodiversity of this mite community is mainly known from Europe or America and, especially, from cattle manure. This study examined the diversity and abundance of Mesostigmata mites associated with different types of manure in an (intensive) agricultural region of the middle East, Ahvaz and its suburbs, southwest Iran. Mite samples were extracted from manure of cattle, buffalo, sheep, horse, poultry and quail in 30 livestock and poultry farms. In total, 40 species belonging to 24 genera and 16 families were identified. The most diverse families were Laelapidae with eight species, Macrochelidae with seven and Parasitidae with six. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Uroobovella marginata were the most widespread species, recorded in 28 and 27 out of 30 collecting sites, respectively. Two species, M. sumbaensis and U. marginata, were found in all studied manures. Simpson’s diversity index recorded the highest diversity in buffalo and sheep manure. Real and theoretical species richness (rarefaction curves) were congruent in number of individuals. The presence of seven species of Macrochelidae in the manure confirms that these are important predators of the house fly for the region of Ahvaz and its suburbs. Members of the Parasitidae were highly prevalent; with one species known as a specialized predator of house fly eggs. This work aims to encourage further studies on the biology and the predatory traits of these Mesostigmata, to continue assessing the feasibility of these mites as effective biological control agents of filth flies in different types of manure and from different corners of the world

Assemblages of Acari in shallow burials: mites as markers of the burial environment, of the stage of decay and of body-cadaver regions.

The burial of a cadaver results in reduced arthropod activity and disruptions in colonisation patterns. Here, the distribution and diversity of mite taxa was studied across decomposition stages of shallowly buried pig carcasses. A total of 300 mites (88 species) were collected from 3 pig shallow graves compared to 129 mites (46 species) from control (bare) soil samples at the same depth. A successional pattern of Acari Orders and Families was observed, and species richness and biodiversity fluctuated throughout decomposition, while active decay showed the greatest biodiversity. The Mesostigmata Order was the most abundant in cadaver soils with a significant difference in the abundance of Parasitidae mites, whilst Oribatida (true soil) mites were the most abundant in control soils. Certain mite species were significantly associated with decay stages: Cornigamasus lunaris with bloated; Gamasodes spiniger with active; Eugamasus sp., and Lorryia reticulata with advanced; and Macrocheles matrius and Ramusella clavipectinata in dry. Scheloribates laevigatus was a marker of bare soil at a shallow depth and Vulgoramasus remberti of buried decomposition, not specific to any decay stage. Analysis of mite assemblages associated with head, torso and posterior body showed that Parasitus evertsi and Macrocheles matrius are attracted to beneath the thighs whilst Lorryia reticulata to beneath the head. This study highlights the value of mites as indicator species of decomposition and its stages, confirming i) a succession of Acari on buried remains and ii) species specificity to body regions

New records of Xenanoetus species (Astigmata: Histiostomatidae) in Western Europe, and their association with pig carcasses

The genus Xenanoetus Mahunka 1969, only described by the hypopial stage, is characterised by an enlarged gnathosoma, the presence of double claws in legs I, II and III in addition to remarkably broadened femur and genu of legs I and II, particularly visible in lateral view. Only five species from this genus have been described and they are all from the northern hemisphere. Hypopi are generally found as phoretic on Sphaeroceridae flies and Hydrophilidae beetles. Until present, hypopi of the species Xenanoetus grandiceps have only been reported in Mongolia, described by Mahunka in 1973. X. grandiceps is characterised by the presence of a pair of arches pointing anteriorly in the posterior part of the gnathosoma. Here we report for the first time X. grandiceps in Spain, and for the second time X. vestigialis. Both species were found in association with carcass remains, as phoretic on lesser dung flies (Sphaeroceridae), which were collected in a mixed deciduous forest near the Atlantic coast. Additional new information on morphological characteristics of these Xenanoetus species, as well as habitat requirements and biology are presented in this report.The genus Xenanoetus Mahunka 1969, only described by the hypopial stage, is characterised by an enlarged gnathosoma, the presence of double claws in legs I, II and III in addition to remarkably broadened femur and genu of legs I and II, particularly visible in lateral view. Only five species from this genus have been described and they are all from the northern hemisphere. Hypopi are generally found as phoretic on Sphaeroceridae flies and Hydrophilidae beetles. Until present, hypopi of the species Xenanoetus grandiceps have only been reported in Mongolia, described by Mahunka in 1973. X. grandiceps is characterised by the presence of a pair of arches pointing anteriorly in the posterior part of the gnathosoma. Here we report for the first time X. grandiceps in Spain, and for the second time X. vestigialis. Both species were found in association with carcass remains, as phoretic on lesser dung flies (Sphaeroceridae), which were collected in a mixed deciduous forest near the Atlantic coast. Additional new information on morphological characteristics of these Xenanoetus species, as well as habitat requirements and biology are presented in this report