Tydeid species from domatia bearing plants from South Africa with the description of two new species of the genus Afridiolorryia (Acari: Tydeidae)

The monotypic genus Afridiolorryia Kazmierski was collected from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two new species belonging to this genus are described here both collected from Psychotria capensis (Eckl.) Vatke (Rubiaceae), in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A key to all the species of the genus as well as the Tydeidae species found during this survey is given.Centre of Excellence in Tree Health and Biotechnology (CTHB) and Green Matter Fellowship.http://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/acarologia/Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Ectoparasite burdens of the common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) from the Cape provinces of South Africa

The members of the African mole-rat family Bathyergidae are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their well-studied biology and reproductive physiology, the current knowledge of their ectoparasite fauna is limited and ambiguous due to recent revisions of the bathyergid taxonomy. The common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) is 1 of the most widely distributed species of these subterranean rodents. Ectoparasites were collected from 268 common mole-rats at 2 localities (Western and Northern Cape provinces) in South Africa over the course of 18 mo with the aim to document species richness, prevalence, and abundance of these ectoparasites. The aggregation of parasite species, sex bias within a species, and seasonal variation in ectoparasite burdens were investigated. A total of 4,830 individual parasites from 4 mite species (Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis, Radfordia ensifera, and 1 undetermined chigger [family Trombiculidae]), 1 flea species (Cryptopsylla ingrami), and 1 louse species (Eulinognathus hilli) were collected. With the exception of R. ensifera and the chigger, all of these ectoparasites appear to be host specific either for the host species or the Bathyergidae. Aggregation indices indicated that with the exception of E. hilli, the distribution of all parasite species was highly aggregated among hosts and sex biased. Seasonal variation in prevalence, abundance, and species richness was apparent, with greater burdens in the rainy winter season. This is likely related to seasonal variation in abiotic factors but may also be affected by the timing of host reproduction and dispersal behavior.The NRF-SAR Chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology to N.C.B. and a University of Pretoria Research Fellowship to H.L.http://www.journalofparasitology.org/loi/paraam201

Ectoparasite burdens of the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) from Southern Africa

Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) of the family Bathyergidae are widely distributed subterranean rodents in sub-Saharan Africa. No parasites have ever been reported for this species and only 1 ectoparasite is described for the entire genus. In the current study ectoparasites were collected from individuals captured at 3 localities in South Africa and Namibia to document the ectoparasite community of F. damarensis, investigate their aggregation patterns and evaluate the influence of season on ectoparasite burden. A total of 2,071 arthropods from 9 mite taxa and 1 louse species (Eulinognathus hilli) were collected from 293 hosts sampled. Of these 5 mite species (Androlaelaps scapularis, A. capensis, A. tauffliebi, Radfordia sp. and unidentified chiggers) and the louse were parasites while the remainder were soil mites. All ectoparasites were highly aggregated and the species richness as well as the prevalence and abundance of 4 of them were significantly greater in summer compared to winter, possibly as a result of seasonal changes in rainfall patterns affecting the ectoparasites and/or host behavior.NRF-SARChI chair for Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology, the NRF and the University of Pretoria.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/jrnlparasitologyhb201

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

Ectoparasite diversity in the eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) : the effect of seasonality and host sex

Globally small mammals are important hosts of ectoparasite vectors of pathogens of medical, veterinary and economic importance. Insectivores are currently understudied as hosts of pathogen vectors. However, data are needed on the diversity of such vectors before we can investigate the underlying factors affecting ectoparasite distribution. Abiotic (e.g. temperature and rainfall) and biotic (e.g. host sex) factors have been identified as the main determinants of host–parasite interactions. The present study describes the ectoparasite community of insectivorous eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) in a nature reserve in the Gauteng province, South Africa, and how it varies with season and host sex. A total of 81 sengis were examined for the presence of ticks, mites, fleas and lice between April 2010 and April 2011. The ectoparasite assemblage comprised 11 groups of tick species, a single mite family, one louse and two flea species, with ticks and mites being the most numerous ectoparasites recovered. The prevalence and/or abundance of two commonly collected ticks (Ixodes spp. and Rhipicephalus warburtoni/arnoldi) and chigger varied with season. In addition, female-biased tick burdens were apparent for one ectoparasite species possibly due to reproductive investment. The mechanisms causing the observed patterns should be addressed in future studies.Third World Organization for Women in Science, the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Pretoria.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tafz202016-04-30hb201

Genotypic response of brachiaria (Urochloa spp.) to spider mite (Oligonychus trichardti ) (Acari: Tetranychidae) and adaptability to different environments

Grasses in the genus Urochloa, commonly known as brachiaria, are grown as forage crops in sub-Saharan Africa, with some genotypes being used in management of insect pests. However, spider mite, Oligonychus trichardti Meyer (Acari: Tetranychidae), has recently been reported as its major pest in the region. We evaluated 18 brachiaria genotypes to identify sources of resistance to O. trichardti, and to determine their adaptability to different environments in western Kenya. Response to artificial infestation with O. trichardti was evaluated under controlled conditions in a screenhouse while adaptability to different environments and field resistance to mites was evaluated in three locations for two cropping seasons in 2016 and 2017 under farmers’ conditions. The parameters evaluated as indicators of resistance to pest damage included leaf damage, chlorophyll content reduction, plant height, leaf area, number of tillers and shoot biomass. Rainfall played a role in reducing mite infestation and increasing biomass yield of the genotypes. Significant correlations between parameters were only observed between leaf damage and yield (r = -0.50), and leaf damage and chlorophyll loss (r = 0.85). The cultivar superiority index (Pi) ranked Xaraes, Piata, ILRI 12991 and ILRI 13810 as reliable genotypes that combined moderate resistance to the mite (Pi ≤ 48.0) and high biomass yield (Pi ≤ 8.0). Since this is the first documentation of interactions between O. trichardti and different brachiaria genotypes, we propose these genotypes as potential candidates for improved forage yields in areas prone to O. trichardti infestation in Africa

A new species of Zambedania (Acari : Heterostigmatina : Pygmephoridae) from the two rivers platinum mine in South Africa and notes on the life-cycle of the genus

A new species of relatively poorly known genus Zambedania Mahunka, 1972 was found on the baboon spider, Harpactirella overdijki Gallon, 2010 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in South Africa. Besides the abundantly available phoretic females, several males and one larva of this species in the spiders’ nests were also collected. Zambedania sekhukhunensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on the phoretic females, males and larva. Improved diagnosis of the genus and a new key to species are also supplied. The descriptions and illustrations of the male and larva of this species represent the first ones of these stages in the genus Zambedania. Due to their discovery the generic diagnosis has been significantly improved.This paper is part of a South Africa/ Poland Research Cooperation Programme.The National Research Foundation of South Africa through the University of the Witwatersrand and Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education through the A. Mickiewicz University (Poznań).http://www.zoologicalstudies.comam2017Zoology and Entomolog

The Role of Host Traits, Season and Group Size on Parasite Burdens in a Cooperative Mammal

The distribution of parasites among hosts is often characterised by a high degree of heterogeneity with a small number of hosts harbouring the majority of parasites. Such patterns of aggregation have been linked to variation in host exposure and susceptibility as well as parasite traits and environmental factors. Host exposure and susceptibility may differ with sexes, reproductive effort and group size. Furthermore, environmental factors may affect both the host and parasite directly and contribute to temporal heterogeneities in parasite loads. We investigated the contributions of host and parasite traits as well as season on parasite loads in highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae). This cooperative breeder exhibits a reproductive division of labour and animals live in colonies of varying sizes that procreate seasonally. Mole-rats were parasitised by lice, mites, cestodes and nematodes with mites (Androlaelaps sp.) and cestodes (Mathevotaenia sp.) being the dominant ecto- and endoparasites, respectively. Sex and reproductive status contributed little to the observed parasite prevalence and abundances possibly as a result of the shared burrow system. Clear seasonal patterns of parasite prevalence and abundance emerged with peaks in summer for mites and in winter for cestodes. Group size correlated negatively with mite abundance while it had no effect on cestode burdens and group membership affected infestation with both parasites. We propose that the mode of transmission as well as social factors constrain parasite propagation generating parasite patterns deviating from those commonly predicted

Mediolata

Key to adult females of Mediolata The following artificial key is compiled mainly based on the leg and palp chaetotaxy. Such data were ignored in the description of M. aegyptiaca (Zaher & Soliman), 1966, hence not presented in the key. Also, another species of Mediolata described from Egypt, M. pentascuta (Zaher & Gomma), 1978, is suspected to be conspecific with M. aegyptiaca. The mentioned differences between these two species seem to be intraspecific variations. This synonymy was also confirmed by Dr. Z. R. Soliman (senior author pers. comm.). To reach a definite conclusion regarding the identity of these species, the type materials need to be re­examined. These were not available during this study. 1. Palpfemur with three setae............................................................................................ 2 ­ Palpfemur with two setae.............................................................................................. 3 ­ Palpfemur with one setae ........................................................ M. delicata Fan & Zhang 2. Femora 4 ­ 4 ­ 3 ­ 2; palpgenu with one seta; dorsal setae short .... M. californica Gonzalez ­ Femora 5 ­ 5 ­ 2 ­ 1; palpgenu with two setae; dorsal setae very long ... M. horrida Momen 3. Femora 5 ­ 4 ­ 3 ­ 1, 5­4 ­ 2 ­ 1, 5­5 ­ 2 ­ 1 or 4 ­ 4 ­ 2 ­ 1................................................................ 4 ­ Femora 5­6 ­ 2 ­ 1 .......................................................................... M. conserva Kuznetsov 4. Femur II with five setae................................................................................................ 5 ­ Femur II with four setae................................................................................................ 8 5. Genu I with four setae................................................................................................... 6 ­ Genu I with two or three setae...................................................................................... 7 6. Opisthosoma almost completely covered with shields, ornamented with polygonalPublished as part of Faraji, Farid & Ueckermann, Edward A., 2006, A new species of Mediolata Canestrini from Spain (Acari: Stigmaeidae), re­description of M. chanti and a key to the known species of Mediolata, pp. 27-39 in Zootaxa 1151 on page 29, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17214