A new species of Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (Acari: Trombiculidae) from diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Bali Island (Indonesia) with distribution records, hosts, and a key to the species of the genus.

A new chigger mite Chiroptella baliensis n. sp. is described based on material from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Hipposideridae) in Bali Island (Lesser Sunda Islands, East Indonesia). With this newly described species, the genus Chiroptella includes 22 species, 13 in the subgenus Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (sensu stricto), and 9 in the subgenus Neosomia Vercammen-Grandjean, 1968. Species of Chiroptella are distributed throughout the Ethiopian region, the Oriental region, and the Australian region (and only marginally throughout the Palaearctic region) and are all associated with several families of bats. The paper also provides a key to all members of the genus and the new combinations for two species originally described as Chiroptella.

Rudnicula goffi n. sp. (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) on Bali, Indonesia.

A new species of chigger mite, Rudnicula goffi n. sp., is described from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Hipposideridae) caught in the Goa Peteng Cave on Bali (Indonesia). The new species differs from the closely related species by the presence of scutum with AL windows, lateral scutal margins with cuticular striations and fSt = 2 + 2 + 2. A list of all available records of Rudnicula species is provided. The genus is restricted to the tropics of Southeast Asia, Australia, Melanesia, and the subtropics of eastern Asia. A key to the known species of Rudnicula based on the morphology of the larvae is also provided.

The chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) on wild birds in Honduras.

The chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch et Fauran, 1956), Parasecia soucouyanti (Brennan et Yunker, 1966), Eutrombicula lipovskyana (Wolfenbarger, 1952) and Neoschoengastia dalmati Brennan, 1951 were found in Honduras on a total of twelve bird species. Parasecia soucouyanti was recorded parasitising birds for the first time. All these mites are here reported from Honduras for the first time.

First detections of Rickettsia helvetica and R. monacensis in ectoparasitic mites (Laelapidae and Trombiculidae) infesting rodents in south-western Slovakia.

Information on circulation of rickettsiae between small mammals and their ectoparasitic mites is scarce. In this study, we investigated infestation rates of rodents with mites in some areas of SW Slovakia and the role of mites as possible vectors of pathogenic rickettsiae. A total of 615 rodents of five species were caught during 2010-2012. All individuals were examined for ectoparasites which resulted in 2821 mites belonging to three species of Laelapidae and six species of Trombiculidae. The most common Laelapidae species was Laelaps agilis (81.25 %), followed by Haemogamasus nidi, and Eulaelaps stabularis. Hirsutiella zachvatkini (16.52 %) was the dominant species of the family Trombiculidae. DNA extracted from rodent blood and ectoparasitic mites was examined for the presence of rickettsiae by PCR. By pooling mites, 345 pool samples were created, of which 112 (32.46 %) were found to be positive for the rickettsial DNA. From 487 examined rodent blood samples, rickettsial DNA was found in 46 (9.44 %). Sequencing DNA from the positive blood samples and mites revealed the identity of Rickettsia helvetica and Rickettsia monacensis. The results of the study suggest that ectoparasitic mites may be reservoirs as well as vectors of some pathogenic rickettsiae.

The effect of herbivore faeces on the edaphic mite community: implications for tapeworm transmission.

Oribatid mites may be of epidemiological and medical importance because several species have been shown to serve as intermediate hosts for anoplocephalid tapeworms of wild and domestic animals. Despite their economic and conservation significance, relatively few studies examined factors influencing the effective number of oribatid mites that can serve as intermediate hosts. We examined variation in the structure of the edaphic arthropod community in functionally different territory parts of the Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris), a known definitive host of a prevalent anoplocephalid tapeworm, Ctenotaenia marmotae. We used a field experiment to test whether the abundance of oribatid mites in marmot pastures is affected by the presence of fresh herbivore faeces. We found that the abundance of soil and litter dwelling oribatid mites in marmot pastures did not change shortly after faeces addition. In contrast, numbers of other predominant soil-litter and phoretic microarthropods increased after faeces addition. The abundance of the two predominant phoretic mites colonizing the faeces was inversely related to the abundance of oribatid mites. In contrast, the abundance of a ubiquitous soil-litter mesostigmatid mite was a positive function of oribatid numbers. Although absolute numbers of oribatid mites did not change after faeces addition, our study suggests that, depending on soil quality or type, the probability of tapeworm egg ingestion by oribatid mites can be reduced due to increased interspecific prey-predatory and trophic interactions. Latrine site selection in Alpine marmots is consistent with a reduced probability of tapeworm transmission by oribatids.

A New Species of Chigger (Acari: Trombiculidae) from Indonesia and Current Differentiation of Trombicula Berlese, 1905 Sensu Stricto Group.

BACKGROUND: Two new species of chiggers in the two genera (Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 and Rudnicula Vercammen-Grandjean, 1964) have been described in Indonesia since 2020. The checklist of all known bat-infesting chiggers has also been compiled for Indonesia. It summarizes 16 species in 9 genera of chiggers parasitizing 12 bat species belonging to 5 families collected on 8 Indonesian islands. Nine specimens collected in 2020 on Nusa Penida Island were not included in the checklist because of their uncertain taxonomy. In the current paper, we resolve the taxonomy of these specimens belonging to Trombicula sensu stricto group. We also revise the existing characters of this group and provide new characters helping with the clear definition of this taxa. METHODS: Hosts and chiggers were captured in February 2020 in Nusa Penida Islands in Indonesia using standard bat-capturing and parasite-collecting methods. For the specimens examined in this study were provided drawings, measurements, and microscopy images. This type material is deposited in the Slovak and Czech National museums. RESULTS: In the paper, we describe a new species parasitizing diadem leaf-nosed bat in the Goa Peteng cave on Nusa Penida Island (Lesser Sunda Islands, East Indonesia). This new species differs from all related species by the presence of a very long tarsala I (S1). A key to the larvae of all seven known Trombicula s. s. species is provided. The differentiation of Trombicula s. s. group is based on leg segmentation fsp = 6.6.6, rugose scutum with complete AM, AL and PL setation, and fT = 5B, 5BN or 4B2N. CONCLUSION: A new species within the genus Trombicula, group minor has been described. The new species also increases the number of known chiggers in Indonesia and the number of species parasitizing the host species Hipposideros diadema. Trombicula s. s. has also been revised and more clearly defined.

Two new species of Armascirus (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from Slovakia.

Two new mite species from Central Europe, viz. Armascirus fendai sp. nov. and Armascirus masani sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata, Cunaxidae) are described and figured. The keys to the known species (females and males) of the genus Armascirus are given.

Three new species of Oppioidea (Acari: Oribatida) from India.

Three new oribatid mite species of the superfamily Oppioidea--Cycloppia asetosa sp. nov., C. spindleformis sp. nov. and Hammerella (Hammerella) excisa sp. nov.--are described from India. The genus Cycloppia and subgenus Hammerella (Hammerella) are for the first time recorded in India. Cycloppia asetosa sp. nov. differs from all species of Cycloppia by the rostrum with indentation and the absence of interlamellar setae and their alveoli. Cycloppia spindleformis sp. nov. dif- fers from all species of Cycloppia by the presence of interlamellar alveoli only. Hammerella (H.) excisa sp. nov. differs from all species of Hammerella (Hammerella) by the rostrum with indentation and the presence of notogastral setae c. The identification keys to all known species of Cycloppia and Hammerella (Hammerella) are provided.

Three new species of the genus Pergalumna (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from India.

Three new oribatid mite species of the genus Pergalumna (Galumnidae), P. paratsurusakii sp. nov., P. asetosa sp. nov and P. mahunkai sp. nov., are described from India. Pergalumna paratsurusakii sp. nov. is most similar morphologically to P. tsurusakii Starý from Japan, however it differs from latter by the body surface, body size and morphology of some notogastral porose areas. Pergalumna asetosa sp. nov. is most similar morphologically to P. rotunda Starý from Japan and Pergalumna yurtaevi Ermilov & Anichkin from Vietnam, however it differs from both by the absence of interlamellar setae and the presence of notogastral furrows. Pergalumna mahunkai sp. nov. is most similar morphologically to P. margaritata Mahunka from Vietnam and P. pseudomargaritata Mahunka from Thailand, however it differs from both by the structure of anterior notogastral margin, body size and morphology of prodorsal setae.

Two new species of Cunaxa (Acari, Prostigmata, Cunaxidae) from South-East Asia with a world key to the genus.

Two new mite species of the family Cunaxidae (Acari, Prostigmata)-Cunaxa asiatica sp. nov. and C. smileyi sp. nov.-are described from Vietnam, based on females. Cunaxa asiatica sp. nov. is similar to C. doxa (Chaudri, 1980) in having the medial hysterosomal shield smooth and bearing setae c1-e1, c2, but differs from the latter by the presence of 1 sts, finger-like palpofemoral apophysis and smooth setae c1-e1 on basifemora IV (vs. 2 sts, uncinate palpofemoral apophysis and spiculate c1-e1 in C. doxa). Cunaxa smiley sp. nov. is similar to C. oblongostriata Kalúz and Ermilov, 2022 in having 4-4-4-4 sts on telofemora I-IV and 2 solenidia on genu II, but differs from the latter by the presence of 3-3-3-0 sts on basifemora I-IV, 1 asl and 5 sts on genu IV, and well developed medial hysterosomal shield (vs. basifemora I-IV setal formula of 3-3-3-1 sts, genu IV bearing 7 sts, and the hysterosomal medial shield absent in C. oblongostriata).

Bat-Infesting Chiggers (Trombiculidae) in Indonesia: Current Review, Distribution, and Hosts with Three New Records and their Morphometric Data.

PURPOSE: Even though the taxonomy of bat-infesting chiggers has been studied extensively, information about the distribution and morphological variability of many species is still lacking. In fact, the only available distribution records for several species are their type localities. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the knowledge of the Indonesian group. METHODS: Hosts and chiggers were captured from April 2018 to March 2020 in Bali and Nusa Penida Islands in Indonesia by using standard bat-capturing and parasite-collecting methods. A list of bat-infesting chiggers in Indonesia was compiled by searching the public databases using specific keywords. RESULTS: When compared with already published data on type specimens, the physical measurements and morphology of Whartonia diosi, W. maai and Grandjeana sinensis revealed only minor differences that fell within intraspecific variability of the mentioned species. Two species (W. diosi and G. sinensis) are recorded here for the first time outside of their type localities (Panay Island in the Philippines and China) and, in both cases, represent the first records for Indonesia. The checklist summarizes all 16 species in 9 genera of bat-infesting chiggers collected from 12 bat species belonging to 5 families all collected on 8 Indonesian islands. CONCLUSION: Indonesia comprises more than 17,000 islands, is home to over 200 bat species, and harbors hundreds of still undiscovered caves. With such a huge potential for chigger diversity and endemism, it is likely that our results document only a fraction of the actual diversity.

A new genus of Pulaeini (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from South-East Asia.

A new genus Lepidocunaxoides gen. nov., with the type species Lepidocunaxoides robustus sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata, Cunaxidae), is described and figured from Vietnam. The general characters of the genus Lepidocunaxoides gen. nov. within the tribe Pulaeini include: palp femurogenu with 6 setae; palp tibiotarsus with 5 setae; setal formula for telofemora I-IV 5-5-4-3 sts; setae f2 absent. It differs from related genera of the subfamily Cunaxoidinae by its paired ventral plates resembling butterfly wings, separating the sternal plate from fused coxae II-IV, by three paired platelets around the genital plates, and by the basifemora I-IV setal formula 3-5-3-2. An undated identification key to the tribes and genera of Cunaxoidinae is provided.

A description of the male of Geckobiella donnae Paredes-León, Klompen et Pérez, 2012 (Acari: Pterygosomatidae) from captive iguanas in Honduras.

Mites of the family Pterygosomatidae are usually infesting lizards, geckos and iguanas. In this family, the genus Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 comprises 12 species including Geckobiella donnae Paredes-León, Klompen et Pérez, 2012. We collected 48 mites of G.donnae from 10 captive iguanas Ctenosaura bakeri Stejneger (Reptilia: Iguanidae) out of 23 examined individuals (prevalence 43% ) in Iguana Research and Breeding Station on Isla de Utila, Islas de la Bahía, Honduras on 1 September 2014. Males of G. donnae occurred together with females. The male of G. donnae is described here for the first time. We speculated that G. donnae is autochthonous on Isla de Utila with C. bakeri as a natural host or that it was transmitted to C. bakeri from Iguana iguana (Linnaeus) native to Utila or introduced to Utila from the North American/Central American mainland by a host kept as a pet.

Two new species of the family Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from Madagascar.

Two new mite species from Madagascar, based on female specimens, viz. Armascirus skvarlai sp. nov. and Cunaxa corpuzrarosae sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae), are described and figured. Armascirus skvarlai sp. nov. differs from the related species A. gimpeli Smiley, 1992 by having long hysterosomal platelets, thin and long lateromedial sts on the palpal genu, and from A. ozarkensis Skvarla Dowling, 2012 by having a cone-shaped proterosomal shield with straight lateral edges, and by its nearly triangular hysterosomal shield. Cunaxa corpuzrarosae sp. nov. differs from the related species C. potchensis Den Heyer, 1979 by having 4 pairs of sts between coxae IV and the genital region, and by having a short stout palpal femoral apophysis; and from C. mageei Smiley, 1992 and C. neogazella Smiley, 1992 by having much shorter hysterodorsal and palpal tibiotarsal setae.

Two new species and new records of chiggers (Acari: Leeuwenhoekiidae, Trombiculidae) from birds in Vietnam.

A total of 12 chigger species (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) occurred on 7 bird species in Vietnam. Two new species, namely Neoschoengastia vietnamensis sp. nov. and Hypogastia stekolnikovi sp. nov. are described, figured and compared with similar species placed in relevant genera using differential diagnoses of related species. Figures and diagnosis of Leptotrombidium taiyuanense Tian and Wen, 1984 are added. Odontacarus audy (Radford, 1946), Leptotrombidium allosetum Wang, Liao and Lin, 1981, L. taiyuanense, Leptotrombidium hanseni Traub and Lakshana, 1966, Leptotrombidium kunshui Wen and Xiang, 1984, Leptotrombidium paradux Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Leptotrombidium turdicola Vercammen-Grandjean and Langston, 1976, Neotrombicula elegans Schluger, 1966 and Neoschoengastia longitar-salis Schluger and Belskaya, 1966 were recorded in Vietnam for the first time.

Two new species of the genus Armascirus (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from India and Vietnam, with a description of the preimaginal stage of Armascirus fendai.

Two new mite species from India and Vietnam, viz. Armascirus denheyeri sp. nov. and Armascirus orientalis sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata, Cunaxidae), are described and figured together with the description of the deutonymph of Armascirus fendai from Slovakia.