Reported here from the Catskill Mountains of New York are 30 ectoparasites and other associates from 39 smoky shrews, Sorex fumeus, 17 from 11 masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, 11 from eight long-tailed shrews, Sorex dispar, and 31 from 44 rock voles, Microtus chrotorrhinus

French, Thomas W

Whitaker, John O, Jr.

English

ValpoScholar

The Great Lakes Entomologist 
Volume 21 
Number 1 - Spring 1988 Number 1 - Spring 1988 Article 9 
April 1988 
Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and 
Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York 
John O. Whitaker Jr. 
Indiana State University 
Thomas W. French 
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle 
 Part of the Entomology Commons 
Recommended Citation 
Whitaker, John O. Jr. and French, Thomas W. 1988. "Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of 
Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 21 
(1) 
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/9 
This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. 
It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. 
For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at scholar@valpo.edu. 
1988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 43 
ECTOPARASITES AND OTHER ARTHROPOD ASSOCIATES OF 
SOME VOLES AND SHREWS FROM THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS 
OF NEW YORK 
John O. Whitaker, Jr. l and Thomas W. French2 
ABSTRACT 
Reported here from the Catskill Mountains of New York are 30 ectoparasites and other 
associates from 39 smoky shrews, Sorex !umeus, J7 from 11 masked shrews, Sorex 
cinereus, II from eight long-tailed shrews, Sorex dispar, and 31 from 44 rock voles, 
Microtus chrotorrhinus. 
There is relatively little information on ectoparasites of the long-tailed shrew, Sorex 
dispar, and the rock vole, Microtus chrotorrhinus (Whitaker and Wilson 1974). Recently 
we were able to collect samples of both of these species along with smoky shrews, Sorex 
jUmeus, and masked shrews, S. cinereus, in the Catskill Mountains of New York. 
OConnor (1985) examined ectoparasites f eight long-tailed shrews from Tennessee 
and found chiggers (Farreloides jamesoni (Brennan), Neotrombicula cavicola Ewing), 
laelapid mites (Laelaps alaskensis Grant), myobiid mites (Amorphacarus cf. hengerero­
rum Jameson), glycyphagid mites (Glycyphagus sp. nr hypudaei (Koch), and Oryctero­
xenus sp.), a pygmephorid mite (Bakerdania plurisetosa Mahunka), and a tick (Ixodes 
angustus Neumann). 
Other than for data presented by Whitaker and French (1982) on 17 rock voles from 
New Brunswick, there is relatively little published information on ectoparasites of this 
species except for laelapid mites and fleas. These latter authors reported five species o  
fleas, one tick, 23 mites (most identificd to species), and four chiggers. Fleas reported 
from rock voles other than from New Brunswick are Atyphloceras bishopi Jordan, 
Catallagia borealis Ewing, Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker, Epitedia w. wenmanni 
(Rothschild), Megabothris asio asio (Baker), M. quirini (Rothschild), Orchopeas 
leucopus (Baker), and Peromyscopsylla catatina (Jordan) (see Martin 1972; Timm 1974, 
1975; Timm et aI. 1977). The tick, Ixodes angustus, was reported by Timm (1974, 1975). 
Mites reported were three laeiapids, Laelaps alaskensis, L. microti Ewing, and Haemo­
gamasus ambulans (Thorell) (Martin 1972; Timm 1974, 1975; Timm et aI. 1977) and two 
trombiculids (chiggers) (Timm et al. 1977). 
The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the ectoparasite communities of 
Sorex dispar, S. jUmeus, S. cinereus, and Microtus chrotorrhinus from the Catskill 
Mountains of New York. 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Mammals were collected in the Catskill Mountains in Green, Schoharie, Sullivan, and 
Ulster counties, New York, during September and October 1981 (French and Crowell, in 
IDepartment of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809. 
2Massaehusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02202. 
1
Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Sh
Published by ValpoScholar, 1988
44 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 21, No.1 
press). Specimens were captured in standard snap-back mouse traps and in #10 cans set 
as 
pitfalls and filled 
to approximately 10 cm with water. Trap lines were set along 
relatively high elevation streambanks, on major talus slopes with open canopies, and on 
rocky hillsides in de p woods. Specimens were taken at elevations between 488-1250 m ..
Traps were checked each morning and specimens were placed in individual plastic bags 
until they were examined for parasites later in the day. Ectoparasites were collected by 
examining the fur with a dissecting microscope while manipulating it with dissecting 
needles. Parasites were counted or their numbers estimated if too large  count, and 
samples were preserved in alcohol. They were then cleared and stained for about five days 
in Nesbitt's Solution, mounted in Hoyer's Solution, and the cover slips ringed with 
Euparal. 
Voucher specimens will be deposited n the U.S. National Museum and in the 
acarological collection of the Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, 
Ottawa, Ontario. 
RESULTS 
Eight long-tailed shrews, II masked shrews, 39 smoky shrews, and 44 rock voles were 
examined for ectoparasites and other arthropod associates. Taxa collected are reportcd in 
Tables 1 and 2. 
In addition, one southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi, from Slide Mountain, 
Ulster County, was included from which the following ectoparasites were collected. 
SIPHONAPTERA: Peromyscopsylla catatina (1). ACARINA, Laelapidae: Laelaps 
alaskensis (58); Trombiculidae: Neotrombicula microti (Ewing) (15, from ears); and 
Listrophoridae: Listrophorus mexicanus squamosus Fain and Hyland (2). 
From two meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, from high elevation forests the 
following species were taken. SIPHONAPTERA: Atyphloceras bishopi Jordan (1), 
Catallagia borealis (1), Peromyscopsylla catatina (1). ANOPLURA: Hoplopleura 
acanthopus (Burmeister) (1). ACARINA, Glycyphagidae: Glycyphagus hypudaei Koch 
(20); Laelapidae: Androlaelaps Jahrenholzi (Berlese) (4), Laelaps microti (5); Trombicu­
lidae: Euschoengastia ohioensis Farrell (7), E. peromysci (Ewing) (106), E. setosa 
(Ewing) (75), Neotrombicula microti (Ewing) (2); and Ascidae: Proctolaelaps sp. (3). 
One woodland vole from Balsam Mountain, Ulster County, yielded the following. 
SIPHONAPTERA: Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes (2), Peromyscopsylla catatina (3). 
ACARINA, Laelapidae: Laelaps alaskensis (8), L. microti (6); Listrophoridae: Listro­
phorus pitymys Fain and Hyland (15); Myocoptidae: Myocoptes japonensis Radford (1); 
Pygmephoridae: Bakerdania sp. (I); Trombiculidae: Euschoengastia ohioensis (3), E. 
peromysci (21), E. setosa (6), Neotrombicula harperi (Ewing) (3), and N. microti (17). 
Masked Shrew, Sorex cinereus 
Only 
11 masked shrews were taken (Table 1). The most abundant forms found were the 
mites Orycteroxenus soricis (Oudemans), Bakerdania plurisetosa (Pygmephoridae), 
Cyrtolaelaps sp., an histiostomatid sp., Amorphacarus hengererorum and the flea 
Nearctopsylla genalis (Baker). 
Results from Sorex dispar from New York and Tennessee, and from S. gaspensis from 
New Brunswick were quite dissimilar. Orycteroxenus sarieis and A. hengererorum 
occurred in all samples. The chigger, Farreloides jamesoni, occurred in both S. dispar 
samples, but Miyatrombicula esoensis was the chigger on S. gaspensis from New 
Brunswick (it was the common chigger on all hosts at that locality). Ixodes angustus and 
Bakerdania plurisetosa occurred on S. dispar from Tennessee, whereas the tick, I. 
angustus, and Pygmephorus horridus Mahunka occurred on Sorex dispar from New York 
and on S. gaspensis. Six of the more abundant taxa were found on only one f the three 
populations. 
2
The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 21, No. 1 [1988], Art. 9
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1988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 45 
Table 1. Ectoparasites and other arthropod associates of three species of shrews, Sorex jumeus, S. 
cinereus, and S. dispar, from the Catskill Mountains of New York. 
Smoky shrew Masked shrew Long-tailed shrew 
n 39 n = lL n - 8 
No. No. No. No. No. No. 
parasites hosts parasites hosts parasites hosts 
SIPHONAPTERA 
Nearctopsylla gefUllis 11 10 
Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker 3 3 
Doratopsylla blarinae C. Fox 2 2 
Peromyscopsylla hesperomys (Baker) 1 I 
ANOPLURA 
Hoplopleura hesperomydis 1* 1* 
COLEOPTERA 
Leptinus americafUl 
(LeConte) 
MITES 
HISTIOSTOMATIDAE 
Histiostomatid sp. 
15 5 4 2 
ASCIDAE 
Proctolaelaps sp. 5 5 1* 1* 
OLOGAMASIDAE 
Cyrtolaelaps sp. 29 13 6 3 1* 1* 
EUlyparasitus sp. 2 2 
GLYCYPHAGIDAE 
Glycyphagus hypudaei 2 1 J I 
*Orycteroxenus soricis 188 15 2526 6 361* 7* 
*Xenoryctes latiporus Fain and Whitaker I 1 
*Xenoryctes nudus Fain and Whitaker 
LAELAPIDAE 
Androlaelaps Jahrenholzi (Berlese) 3 3 
Haemogamasus ambulans (Thorell) 4 4 
Haemogamasus liponyssoides Ewing I I 2 2 
Myonyssus jameson; Ewing and Baker 1 1 
MYOBIIDAE 
Amorphacarus hengererorum 13 4 4 2 14* 2* 
Protomyobia breviselosa Jameson 8 5 
PARASITIDAE 
Pergamasus sp. 2 2 
PYGMEPHORIDAE 
Bakerdania plurisetosa 138 16 19 5 4 2 
Bakerdania sp. 8 6 1 I 2 2 
Pygmephorus brevicaudae 1** I 
Smiley and Whitaker 
Pygmephorus hastatus Mahunka 1** 
Pygmephorus horridus 2** 2 
*Pygmephorus moreohorridus Mahunka 2 
*Pygmephorus nidicolus Mahunka 1** 
Pygmephorus whitakeri 37 16 1** 
3
Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Sh
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46 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 21, No. 1 
Table 1. (continued) 
Smoky shrew 
n 39 
Masked shrew 
n= 11 Long-tailed shrew 
n 
= 8
No. 
Parasites 
No. 
hosts 
No. 
parasites 
No. 
hosts 
No. 
parasites 
No. 
hosts 
TROMBICULIDAE 
Euschoengastia blarinae (Ewing) 
Euschoengastia peromysci (Ewing) 
Farreloides jameson; 
Neotrombicula harperi 
Neolrombicula microti 
IXODIDAE 
Ixodes anguslus 
2 2 
1 1 
12 3 3 
I 
I 
3 3 
Long-tailed Shrew, Sorex dis par 
Only eight individuals of this shrew were examined for ectoparasites. Although we took 
11 
species from 
Sorex dis par from the Catskills, only two, Orycteroxenus sorieis (x 
45.1) and Amorphacarus hengererorum (x 1. 75) were very abundant. On Sorex 
gaspensis from New Brunswick, Whitaker and French (1982) took members of 15 taxa, 
of 
which the most abundant were 
Orycteroxenus sorieis, Miyatrombicula esoensis Sasa 
and Ogata, Ixodes angustus, Pygmephorus horridus. and Cyrtolaelaps sp. However, 
small numbers of A. hengererorum were also taken. 
Smoky Shrew, Sorex fumeus 
Thirty taxa of ectoparasites and other associates were taken from 39 smoky shrews from 
the Catskills. The most abundant associates of Sorex fumeus from the Catskills were 
Orycteroxenus soricis, Bakerdania plurisetosa. Pygmephorus whitakeri Mahunka, Cyr­
tolaelaps sp., and histiostomatids. 
Rock Vole, Microtus chrotorrhinus 
Thirty-one taxa were taken from 44 specimens of this species from the Catskill 
Mountains (Table 2), including six species of fleas, one louse, one tick, and five species 
of 
chiggers, along with other mites from several 
families. 
DISCUSSION 
Records of mites not previously taken from N w York are indicated in Tables 1 and 2 
by an asterisk before the species name. New host records are indicated by two asterisks 
in the number of parasites column. 
A new mite parasite record for M. chrotorrhinus is Myocoptes musculinus (Koch), but 
only one individual was taken and it could have been a contaminant from Peromyscus. All 
of 
the fleas, the tick, and, among the chiggers, 
Neotrombicula harperi (Ewing) and N. 
microti have been previously reported. We are not aware of previous records of 
Euschoengastia setosa. E. ohioensis or E. peromysci from this host. One individual of 
Hoplopleura acanthopus was found. It is the first record of a louse on this host, but it is 
a Peromyscus louse and is undoubtedly accidental, as is Hoplopleura hesperomydis 
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1988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 47 
Table 2. Ectoparasites and other arthropod associates of 44 Rock Voles from the Catskill Mountains 
of 
New York. 
No. 
No. 
parasites hosts 
SIPHONAPTERA 
Peromyscopsylla catatina 

Catallagia borealis 

Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes 

Megabothris quirini 

Atyphloceras bishopi 

Epitedia wenmanni 

ANOPLURA 
Hoplopleum acanthopus 
ACARINA 
ASCIDAE 
Proctolaelaps sp. 
OLOGAMASIDAE 
Cyrtolaelaps sp. 
Euryparasitus sp. 
GLYCYPHAGIDAE 
Glycyphagus hypudaei (complex) 
Xenoryctes latiporus 
P ARASITIDAE 
Pergamasus sp. 
LAELAPIDAE 
Androlaelaps fahrenholzi 
Echinonyssus isabellinus (Oudemans) 
Eulaelaps stabularis (Koch) 
Haemogamasus ambulans 
Haemogamasus liponyssoides 
Laelaps alaskensis 
Laelaps kochi Oudemans 
LISTROPHORIDAE 
Listrophorus mexicanus squamiferus 
Fain and Hyland 
MYOBIIDAE 
Radfordia hylandi Fain and Lukoschus 
MYOCOPTIDAE 
Myocoptes japonensis 

*Myocoptes musculinus 

PYGMEPHORlDAE 
Bakerdania plurisetosus 
TROMBICULIDAE 
*Euschoengastia ohioensis 

*Euschoengastia peromysci 

*Euschoengastia serosa 

Neotrombicula harperi 

Neotrombicula microt! 

IXODIDAE 
Ixodes angustus 
32 13 

24 II 

17 10 

17 
10 
II
6 

2 2 

II 
10 

4 2 

1878 33 

1 

2 2 

82 22 

4 2 

I 7 

26 19 

3 3 

385 23 

596 40 

12817 33 

97 II 

1** I 

4 3 

329 13 

249 19 

525 27 

38 
3 

1512 
40 

4 4 

5
Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Sh
Published by ValpoScholar, 1988
48 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST VoL 21, No. I 
(Osborn) on Sorex dispar from the Catskills. This parasite is host specific to mice of the 
genus Peromyscus, and may have come from a deennouse that was scavenged by a shrew 
in the same trap line about 50 ft (IS m) from where the shrew was trapped. 
The fleas taken during this work were particularly interesting. Benton (1980) indicated 
Microtus pennsylvanicus is probably a true host for Atyphloceras bishop;, and that other 
voles may be also. Microtus chrotorrhinus would appear to be a true host for this species 
and for Catallagia borealis, as indicated by the present study. Benton listed M. 
chrotorrhinus as a true host for Peromyscopsylla catarina and Megabothris quirini. 
Benton listed Nearctopsylla genalis, Atyphloceras bishopi, and Catallagia borealis as 
winter fleas, but our collection was made in summer and fall (through October). 
In Tennessee, OConnor (1985) reported one individual each of two species of Microtus 
parasites, Laelaps alaskensis and Listrophorus mexicanus, also indicating the possibility 
of 
scavenging by these shrews. The most abundant fonus among eight species taken from 
this host in Tennessee (OConnor 1985) were 
Farrelioides jamesoni (9), GlyC)phagus sp. 
nr. hypudaei (7), Amorphacarus hengererorum (7), and Orycteroxenus sp. nr. soricis (4 
taken, it = 0.5). 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 
Appreciation is expressed to Susan Wolfe, Eric Bollinger, Paul Steblein, and Jim Smith 
of 
the New York Department 
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for their assistance. 
This study was funded by a contract from the Endangered Species Unit. Wildlife 
Resources Center, DEC to the New York Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Cornell University, DEC, and the Wildlife Management Institute 
cooperating). Milo Richmond, Peter Nye, and Al Hicks are thanked for making this 
contract possible. Some of the chiggers were verified by William J. Wrenn (Department 
of 
Biology, University 
of North Dakota). Alex Fain verified some of the other mites and 
Allen H. Benton verified some of the flea identifications. Some of the pygmephorids were 
confinned by Robert L. Smiley (USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northeastern 
Region, Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville). 
LITERATURE CITED 
Benson, A. S. 1980. An atlas of the fleas of the eastern United States. Marginal Media. Fredonia, 
NY. 177 pp. 
French, T. W., and K. L. Crowell. Distribution and status of the yellow-nosed vole and rock shrew 
in 
New York. New York Fish and Game Journal. (in press). 
Martin, R. 
L. 1972. Parasites and diseases of the rock vole. Univ. Connectieut Occ. Papers 
2:107-113. 
OConnor, B. M. 1985. Mites (Aeari) associated with the long-tailed shrew, Sorce dispar 
(Insectivora: Soricidae), in Tennessee. Amer. Midl. Nat. 114:184-187. 
Thrun, R. M. 1974. Rediscovery of the rock vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus) in Minnesota. Canadian 
Field Nat. 88:82. 
___
. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites 
of mammals of Cook County. Minnesota. 
Bell Mus. Nat. Hist., Univ. Minnesota Oec. Pap. 14:1-56. 
Timm, R. M., L R. Heaney, and D. . Baird. 1977. Natural history of rock voles (Microtus 
chrotorrhinus) in Minnesota. Canadian Field Nat. 91:177-181. 
Whitaker, 1.0., Jr., and T. W. French. 1982. Ectoparasites and other associates of some insectivores 
and rodents from New Brunswick. Canadian J. Zool. 60:2787-2797. 
Whitaker, J. O. J ., and N. Wilson. 1974. Host and distribution lists of mites (Acari), parasitic and 
phoretic, in the hair of wild mammals of North America, north of Mexico. Arner. 1fidl. Nat. 
91:1-67. 
6
The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 21, No. 1 [1988], Art. 9
https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/9


Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York

Valparaiso University

The Great Lakes Entomologist Volume 21 Number 1 - Spring 1988 Number 1 - Spring 1988 Article 9 April 1988 Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York John O. Whitaker Jr. Indiana State University Thomas W. French Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle  Part of the Entomology Commons Recommended Citation Whitaker, John O. Jr. and French, Thomas W. 1988. "Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 21 (1) Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/9 This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at scholar@valpo.edu. 1988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 43 ECTOPARASITES AND OTHER ARTHROPOD ASSOCIATES OF SOME VOLES AND SHREWS FROM THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS OF NEW YORK John O. Whitaker, Jr. l and Thomas W. French2 ABSTRACT Reported here from the Catskill Mountains of New York are 30 ectoparasites and other associates from 39 smoky shrews, Sorex !umeus, J7 from 11 masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, II from eight long-tailed shrews, Sorex dispar, and 31 from 44 rock voles, Microtus chrotorrhinus. There is relatively little information on ectoparasites of the long-tailed shrew, Sorex dispar, and the rock vole, Microtus chrotorrhinus (Whitaker and Wilson 1974). Recently we were able to collect samples of both of these species along with smoky shrews, Sorex jUmeus, and masked shrews, S. cinereus, in the Catskill Mountains of New York. OConnor (1985) examined ectoparasites f eight long-tailed shrews from Tennessee and found chiggers (Farreloides jamesoni (Brennan), Neotrombicula cavicola Ewing), laelapid mites (Laelaps alaskensis Grant), myobiid mites (Amorphacarus cf. hengerero­rum Jameson), glycyphagid mites (Glycyphagus sp. nr hypudaei (Koch), and Oryctero­xenus sp.), a pygmephorid mite (Bakerdania plurisetosa Mahunka), and a tick (Ixodes angustus Neumann). Other than for data presented by Whitaker and French (1982) on 17 rock voles from New Brunswick, there is relatively little published information on ectoparasites of this species except for laelapid mites and fleas. These latter authors reported five species o  fleas, one tick, 23 mites (most identificd to species), and four chiggers. Fleas reported from rock voles other than from New Brunswick are Atyphloceras bishopi Jordan, Catallagia borealis Ewing, Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker, Epitedia w. wenmanni (Rothschild), Megabothris asio asio (Baker), M. quirini (Rothschild), Orchopeas leucopus (Baker), and Peromyscopsylla catatina (Jordan) (see Martin 1972; Timm 1974, 1975; Timm et aI. 1977). The tick, Ixodes angustus, was reported by Timm (1974, 1975). Mites reported were three laeiapids, Laelaps alaskensis, L. microti Ewing, and Haemo­gamasus ambulans (Thorell) (Martin 1972; Timm 1974, 1975; Timm et aI. 1977) and two trombiculids (chiggers) (Timm et al. 1977). The purpose of this paper is to describe and compare the ectoparasite communities of Sorex dispar, S. jUmeus, S. cinereus, and Microtus chrotorrhinus from the Catskill Mountains of New York. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mammals were collected in the Catskill Mountains in Green, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, New York, during September and October 1981 (French and Crowell, in IDepartment of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809. 2Massaehusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02202. 1Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and ShPublished by ValpoScholar, 198844 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 21, No.1 press). Specimens were captured in standard snap-back mouse traps and in #10 cans set as pitfalls and filled to approximately 10 cm with water. Trap lines were set along relatively high elevation streambanks, on major talus slopes with open canopies, and on rocky hillsides in de p woods. Specimens were taken at elevations between 488-1250 m ..Traps were checked each morning and specimens were placed in individual plastic bags until they were examined for parasites later in the day. Ectoparasites were collected by examining the fur with a dissecting microscope while manipulating it with dissecting needles. Parasites were counted or their numbers estimated if too large  count, and samples were preserved in alcohol. They were then cleared and stained for about five days in Nesbitt's Solution, mounted in Hoyer's Solution, and the cover slips ringed with Euparal. Voucher specimens will be deposited n the U.S. National Museum and in the acarological collection of the Biosystematics Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. RESULTS Eight long-tailed shrews, II masked shrews, 39 smoky shrews, and 44 rock voles were examined for ectoparasites and other arthropod associates. Taxa collected are reportcd in Tables 1 and 2. In addition, one southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi, from Slide Mountain, Ulster County, was included from which the following ectoparasites were collected. SIPHONAPTERA: Peromyscopsylla catatina (1). ACARINA, Laelapidae: Laelaps alaskensis (58); Trombiculidae: Neotrombicula microti (Ewing) (15, from ears); and Listrophoridae: Listrophorus mexicanus squamosus Fain and Hyland (2). From two meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, from high elevation forests the following species were taken. SIPHONAPTERA: Atyphloceras bishopi Jordan (1), Catallagia borealis (1), Peromyscopsylla catatina (1). ANOPLURA: Hoplopleura acanthopus (Burmeister) (1). ACARINA, Glycyphagidae: Glycyphagus hypudaei Koch (20); Laelapidae: Androlaelaps Jahrenholzi (Berlese) (4), Laelaps microti (5); Trombicu­lidae: Euschoengastia ohioensis Farrell (7), E. peromysci (Ewing) (106), E. setosa (Ewing) (75), Neotrombicula microti (Ewing) (2); and Ascidae: Proctolaelaps sp. (3). One woodland vole from Balsam Mountain, Ulster County, yielded the following. SIPHONAPTERA: Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes (2), Peromyscopsylla catatina (3). ACARINA, Laelapidae: Laelaps alaskensis (8), L. microti (6); Listrophoridae: Listro­phorus pitymys Fain and Hyland (15); Myocoptidae: Myocoptes japonensis Radford (1); Pygmephoridae: Bakerdania sp. (I); Trombiculidae: Euschoengastia ohioensis (3), E. peromysci (21), E. setosa (6), Neotrombicula harperi (Ewing) (3), and N. microti (17). Masked Shrew, Sorex cinereus Only 11 masked shrews were taken (Table 1). The most abundant forms found were the mites Orycteroxenus soricis (Oudemans), Bakerdania plurisetosa (Pygmephoridae), Cyrtolaelaps sp., an histiostomatid sp., Amorphacarus hengererorum and the flea Nearctopsylla genalis (Baker). Results from Sorex dispar from New York and Tennessee, and from S. gaspensis from New Brunswick were quite dissimilar. Orycteroxenus sarieis and A. hengererorum occurred in all samples. The chigger, Farreloides jamesoni, occurred in both S. dispar samples, but Miyatrombicula esoensis was the chigger on S. gaspensis from New Brunswick (it was the common chigger on all hosts at that locality). Ixodes angustus and Bakerdania plurisetosa occurred on S. dispar from Tennessee, whereas the tick, I. angustus, and Pygmephorus horridus Mahunka occurred on Sorex dispar from New York and on S. gaspensis. Six of the more abundant taxa were found on only one f the three populations. 2The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 21, No. 1 [1988], Art. 9https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/91988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 45 Table 1. Ectoparasites and other arthropod associates of three species of shrews, Sorex jumeus, S. cinereus, and S. dispar, from the Catskill Mountains of New York. Smoky shrew Masked shrew Long-tailed shrew n 39 n = lL n - 8 No. No. No. No. No. No. parasites hosts parasites hosts parasites hosts SIPHONAPTERA Nearctopsylla gefUllis 11 10 Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Baker 3 3 Doratopsylla blarinae C. Fox 2 2 Peromyscopsylla hesperomys (Baker) 1 I ANOPLURA Hoplopleura hesperomydis 1* 1* COLEOPTERA Leptinus americafUl (LeConte) MITES HISTIOSTOMATIDAE Histiostomatid sp. 15 5 4 2 ASCIDAE Proctolaelaps sp. 5 5 1* 1* OLOGAMASIDAE Cyrtolaelaps sp. 29 13 6 3 1* 1* EUlyparasitus sp. 2 2 GLYCYPHAGIDAE Glycyphagus hypudaei 2 1 J I *Orycteroxenus soricis 188 15 2526 6 361* 7* *Xenoryctes latiporus Fain and Whitaker I 1 *Xenoryctes nudus Fain and Whitaker LAELAPIDAE Androlaelaps Jahrenholzi (Berlese) 3 3 Haemogamasus ambulans (Thorell) 4 4 Haemogamasus liponyssoides Ewing I I 2 2 Myonyssus jameson; Ewing and Baker 1 1 MYOBIIDAE Amorphacarus hengererorum 13 4 4 2 14* 2* Protomyobia breviselosa Jameson 8 5 PARASITIDAE Pergamasus sp. 2 2 PYGMEPHORIDAE Bakerdania plurisetosa 138 16 19 5 4 2 Bakerdania sp. 8 6 1 I 2 2 Pygmephorus brevicaudae 1** I Smiley and Whitaker Pygmephorus hastatus Mahunka 1** Pygmephorus horridus 2** 2 *Pygmephorus moreohorridus Mahunka 2 *Pygmephorus nidicolus Mahunka 1** Pygmephorus whitakeri 37 16 1** 3Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and ShPublished by ValpoScholar, 198846 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 21, No. 1 Table 1. (continued) Smoky shrew n 39 Masked shrew n= 11 Long-tailed shrew n = 8No. Parasites No. hosts No. parasites No. hosts No. parasites No. hosts TROMBICULIDAE Euschoengastia blarinae (Ewing) Euschoengastia peromysci (Ewing) Farreloides jameson; Neotrombicula harperi Neolrombicula microti IXODIDAE Ixodes anguslus 2 2 1 1 12 3 3 I I 3 3 Long-tailed Shrew, Sorex dis par Only eight individuals of this shrew were examined for ectoparasites. Although we took 11 species from Sorex dis par from the Catskills, only two, Orycteroxenus sorieis (x 45.1) and Amorphacarus hengererorum (x 1. 75) were very abundant. On Sorex gaspensis from New Brunswick, Whitaker and French (1982) took members of 15 taxa, of which the most abundant were Orycteroxenus sorieis, Miyatrombicula esoensis Sasa and Ogata, Ixodes angustus, Pygmephorus horridus. and Cyrtolaelaps sp. However, small numbers of A. hengererorum were also taken. Smoky Shrew, Sorex fumeus Thirty taxa of ectoparasites and other associates were taken from 39 smoky shrews from the Catskills. The most abundant associates of Sorex fumeus from the Catskills were Orycteroxenus soricis, Bakerdania plurisetosa. Pygmephorus whitakeri Mahunka, Cyr­tolaelaps sp., and histiostomatids. Rock Vole, Microtus chrotorrhinus Thirty-one taxa were taken from 44 specimens of this species from the Catskill Mountains (Table 2), including six species of fleas, one louse, one tick, and five species of chiggers, along with other mites from several families. DISCUSSION Records of mites not previously taken from N w York are indicated in Tables 1 and 2 by an asterisk before the species name. New host records are indicated by two asterisks in the number of parasites column. A new mite parasite record for M. chrotorrhinus is Myocoptes musculinus (Koch), but only one individual was taken and it could have been a contaminant from Peromyscus. All of the fleas, the tick, and, among the chiggers, Neotrombicula harperi (Ewing) and N. microti have been previously reported. We are not aware of previous records of Euschoengastia setosa. E. ohioensis or E. peromysci from this host. One individual of Hoplopleura acanthopus was found. It is the first record of a louse on this host, but it is a Peromyscus louse and is undoubtedly accidental, as is Hoplopleura hesperomydis 4The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 21, No. 1 [1988], Art. 9https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/91988 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 47 Table 2. Ectoparasites and other arthropod associates of 44 Rock Voles from the Catskill Mountains of New York. No. No. parasites hosts SIPHONAPTERA Peromyscopsylla catatina Catallagia borealis Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes Megabothris quirini Atyphloceras bishopi Epitedia wenmanni ANOPLURA Hoplopleum acanthopus ACARINA ASCIDAE Proctolaelaps sp. OLOGAMASIDAE Cyrtolaelaps sp. Euryparasitus sp. GLYCYPHAGIDAE Glycyphagus hypudaei (complex) Xenoryctes latiporus P ARASITIDAE Pergamasus sp. LAELAPIDAE Androlaelaps fahrenholzi Echinonyssus isabellinus (Oudemans) Eulaelaps stabularis (Koch) Haemogamasus ambulans Haemogamasus liponyssoides Laelaps alaskensis Laelaps kochi Oudemans LISTROPHORIDAE Listrophorus mexicanus squamiferus Fain and Hyland MYOBIIDAE Radfordia hylandi Fain and Lukoschus MYOCOPTIDAE Myocoptes japonensis *Myocoptes musculinus PYGMEPHORlDAE Bakerdania plurisetosus TROMBICULIDAE *Euschoengastia ohioensis *Euschoengastia peromysci *Euschoengastia serosa Neotrombicula harperi Neotrombicula microt! IXODIDAE Ixodes angustus 32 13 24 II 17 10 17 10 II6 2 2 II 10 4 2 1878 33 1 2 2 82 22 4 2 I 7 26 19 3 3 385 23 596 40 12817 33 97 II 1** I 4 3 329 13 249 19 525 27 38 3 1512 40 4 4 5Whitaker and French: Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and ShPublished by ValpoScholar, 198848 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST VoL 21, No. I (Osborn) on Sorex dispar from the Catskills. This parasite is host specific to mice of the genus Peromyscus, and may have come from a deennouse that was scavenged by a shrew in the same trap line about 50 ft (IS m) from where the shrew was trapped. The fleas taken during this work were particularly interesting. Benton (1980) indicated Microtus pennsylvanicus is probably a true host for Atyphloceras bishop;, and that other voles may be also. Microtus chrotorrhinus would appear to be a true host for this species and for Catallagia borealis, as indicated by the present study. Benton listed M. chrotorrhinus as a true host for Peromyscopsylla catarina and Megabothris quirini. Benton listed Nearctopsylla genalis, Atyphloceras bishopi, and Catallagia borealis as winter fleas, but our collection was made in summer and fall (through October). In Tennessee, OConnor (1985) reported one individual each of two species of Microtus parasites, Laelaps alaskensis and Listrophorus mexicanus, also indicating the possibility of scavenging by these shrews. The most abundant fonus among eight species taken from this host in Tennessee (OConnor 1985) were Farrelioides jamesoni (9), GlyC)phagus sp. nr. hypudaei (7), Amorphacarus hengererorum (7), and Orycteroxenus sp. nr. soricis (4 taken, it = 0.5). ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Appreciation is expressed to Susan Wolfe, Eric Bollinger, Paul Steblein, and Jim Smith of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for their assistance. This study was funded by a contract from the Endangered Species Unit. Wildlife Resources Center, DEC to the New York Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cornell University, DEC, and the Wildlife Management Institute cooperating). Milo Richmond, Peter Nye, and Al Hicks are thanked for making this contract possible. Some of the chiggers were verified by William J. Wrenn (Department of Biology, University of North Dakota). Alex Fain verified some of the other mites and Allen H. Benton verified some of the flea identifications. Some of the pygmephorids were confinned by Robert L. Smiley (USDA Agricultural Research Service, Northeastern Region, Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville). LITERATURE CITED Benson, A. S. 1980. An atlas of the fleas of the eastern United States. Marginal Media. Fredonia, NY. 177 pp. French, T. W., and K. L. Crowell. Distribution and status of the yellow-nosed vole and rock shrew in New York. New York Fish and Game Journal. (in press). Martin, R. L. 1972. Parasites and diseases of the rock vole. Univ. Connectieut Occ. Papers 2:107-113. OConnor, B. M. 1985. Mites (Aeari) associated with the long-tailed shrew, Sorce dispar (Insectivora: Soricidae), in Tennessee. Amer. Midl. Nat. 114:184-187. Thrun, R. M. 1974. Rediscovery of the rock vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus) in Minnesota. Canadian Field Nat. 88:82. ___. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County. Minnesota. Bell Mus. Nat. Hist., Univ. Minnesota Oec. Pap. 14:1-56. Timm, R. M., L R. Heaney, and D. . Baird. 1977. Natural history of rock voles (Microtus chrotorrhinus) in Minnesota. Canadian Field Nat. 91:177-181. Whitaker, 1.0., Jr., and T. W. French. 1982. Ectoparasites and other associates of some insectivores and rodents from New Brunswick. Canadian J. Zool. 60:2787-2797. Whitaker, J. O. J ., and N. Wilson. 1974. Host and distribution lists of mites (Acari), parasitic and phoretic, in the hair of wild mammals of North America, north of Mexico. Arner. 1fidl. Nat. 91:1-67. 6The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 21, No. 1 [1988], Art. 9https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol21/iss1/9

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Ectoparasites and Other Arthropod Associates of Some Voles and Shrews From the Catskill Mountains of New York

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