Parasitism of swifts Apus sp. by mites of the genus Dermanyssus (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Abstract

In the course of a research program on the mites of the genus Dermanyssus, parasites were collected in 2007 and 2008 on live adults and young as well as on complete (after the young fledged) or partial (unsuccessful or old) unoccupied nests of Common Swift (Apus apus) in Gard (southern France) and Pallid Swift (A. pallidus) in Corsica. Two mite species were found: Dermanyssus gallinae (on Common Swift, but sampling could have been too small for Pallid Swift) and above all a new species Dermanyssus apodis (on both Common and Pallid Swifts) which has been described in 2009. The eventual effects of these parasites on their hosts are briefly discussed

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