An oribatid mite (Arachnida: Acari) from the Oxford Clay (Jurassic: Upper Callovian) of South Cave Station Quarry, Yorkshire, UK

A single specimen of a new species of oribatid mite belonging to the genus Jureremus Krivolutsky, in Krivolutsky and Krassilov 1977, previously described from the Upper Jurassic of the Russian Far East, is described as J. phippsi sp. nov. The mite is preserved by iron pyrite replacement, and was recovered by sieving from the Oxford Clay Formation (Jurassic: Upper Callovian) of South Cave, Yorkshire. It is the first record of a pre-Pleistocene mite, and the second species record of the family Cymbaeremaeidae, from the British Isles; also, it is only the third record of Acari from the Jurassic Period. The presence of a terrestrial mite in a sedimentary sequence of open marine origin is noteworthy, and suggestions for its mode of transport to the site of deposition are discussed

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

Zonorchis meyeri, new species, a parasite of the gall bladder of a rail in the Galápagos Islands (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae)

Volume: 33Start Page: 65End Page: 6

Le stade larvaire, sanctuaire de la phylogénie et de la taxonomie chez les Acariens

Après quinze années d’études des formes larvaires des Acariens, l’auteur exprime son opinion concernant l’usage préférentiel du stade larvaire en matière de taxonomie en vue de l’établissement d’une classification valable, harmonieuse et de toute évidence plus simple, plus claire, et mieux équilibrée. Il introduit huit principes supportant son opinion et défend une thèse concernant les barrières stadiales en faveur de l’idée d’une spécificité en matière de déviations ontogéniques. L’ontologie particulière de Vatacarus ipoides est revue en appendice. L’auteur démontre qu’une différence existe entre le phénomène de « Néosomie » et « Néoténie » ; en arguant que dans le cas de Vatacarus la tachygénèse qui suit la néosomie ressort d’une phénoménologie différente. Il suppose l’existence de certaines réserves matérielles avant que l’Acarien puisse passer d’un stade au stade suivant

Eutrombicula (E.) poppi, a newchigger from a sea snake (Acarina, Trombiculidae)

Volume: 114Start Page: 1End Page:

Revision of the species Walchiadisparunguis (Oudemans, 1929) and its group (Acarina, Trombiculidae)

Volume: 115Start Page: 1End Page: 1

Nouveaux regards sur les phénomènes de néosomie et de tachygénèse chez les Trombiculidés du sous-genre Vatacarus (Acarina : Prostigmata)

Vercammen-Grandjean P. H. Nouveaux regards sur les phénomènes de néosomie et de tachygénèse chez les Trombiculidés du sous-genre Vatacarus (Acarina : Prostigmata) . In: Bulletin de la Classe des sciences, tome 58, 1972. pp. 292-294