Babesia pisicii n. sp. and Babesia canis Infect European Wild Cats, Felis silvestris, in Romania.

Haemoparasites of the genus Babesia infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Feline babesiosis is considered endemic in South Africa, while data on Babesia spp. infection in felids in Europe is scarce. Using samples from 51 wild felids, 44 Felis silvestris and 7 Lynx lynx, the study aimed to determine the presence and genetic diversity of Babesia spp. in wild felids in Romania by analyzing the 18S rDNA and two mitochondrial markers, cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. By 18S rDNA analyses, Babesia spp. DNA was detected in 20 European wild felids. All sequences showed 100% similarity to B. canis by BLAST analysis. Conversely, Cytb and COI analyses revealed the presence of two Babesia spp., B. pisicii n. sp., which we herein describe, and B. canis. The pairwise comparison of both mitochondrial genes of B. pisicii n. sp. showed a genetic distance of at least 10.3% from the most closely related species, B. rossi. Phylogenetic analyses of Cytb and COI genes revealed that B. pisicii n. sp. is related to the so-called "large" canid-associated Babesia species forming a separate subclade in a sister position to B. rossi.

Thelazia callipaeda in mustelids from Romania with the European badger, Meles meles, as a new host for this parasite.

BACKGROUND: Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a vector-borne zoonotic eye worm with a broad host spectrum. In Europe, it is an emerging threat, having greatly expanded its geographical distribution during the past two decades. In Romania, T. callipaeda has been previously reported in domestic and wild canids and felids. The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of T. callipaeda in mustelids in the country. METHODS: Between March 2015 and April 2019, 77 road-killed mustelids (3 pine martens, Martes martes; 6 European polecats, Mustela putorius; 13 beech martens, Martes foina; and 55 European badgers, Meles meles) were examined by necropsy. If present, all ocular nematodes were collected and stored in absolute ethanol, for subsequent morphological and molecular identification. RESULTS: Two animals were found to be infected with T. callipaeda: one European badger and one beech marten. The molecular analysis revealed a 100% nucleotide similarity to T. callipaeda haplotype h1 for all the sequenced specimens. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the present study demonstrates for the first time the occurrence of T. callipaeda in mustelids from Romania, records the easternmost locality of the parasite in Europe, and represents the first report of T. callipaeda in the European badger, Meles meles, extending the known host range for this parasite in Europe.

A new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Acarina, Trouessartiidae) - an integrative description (morphology and DNA barcoding data).

A new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia (Trouessartiidae) is described from the Large NiltavaNiltavagrandis (Blyth) (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) in Northeast India (Meghalaya, Jaintia Hills, Shnongrim village). Trouessartianiltavae Constantinescu, sp. n. is morphologically closely related (no phylogenetic meaning) to T.bulligera Gaud, 1968 from Clytorhynchushamlini (Mayr) (Passeriformes: Monarchidae), sharing in males a unique character within the genus, by having setae e on legs IV hemispheroid, with spine-shaped apex. Males of the new species have the prodorsal shield without ornamentation, the prohysteronotal shield and lobar shield connected, and the terminal cleft parallel sided. Females have the posterior half of the hysteronotal shield ornamented with large ovate lacunae in central area and small elliptical lacunae marginally. To the morphological description of this new feather mite species we added sequence data on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment (COI). The phylogenetic relationships between Trouessartia species are briefly discussed.

Redescription of six feather mite species of the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) from the "Édouard Louis Trouessart" Collection.

Six feather mite species presently referred to the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) were briefly described without being drawn by a French zoologist Édouard Louis Trouessart in the end of the 19th century. The type material used for description of these species is still preserved in the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris, France). Based on this material, we provide detailed redescriptions, according to the modern format used for pterodectine mites, for the following species: Proterothrix diminuta (Trouessart, 1899), P. modesta (Trouessart, 1899), and P. phyllura (Trouessart, 1899) from Manucodia ater (Lesson) (Corvida: Paradisaeidae); P. emarginata (Trouessart, 1899) from M. chalybatus (J. R. Forster) (Corvida: Paradisaeidae); P. paradisiaca (Trouessart, 1885) from Paradisaea minor Shaw (Corvida: Paradisaeidae) and Sericulus chrysocephalus (Lewin) (Corvida: Ptilonorhynchidae); and P. xiphiura (Trouessart, 1885) from Psarisomus dalhousiae (Jameson) (Tyranni: Eurylaimidae). The lectotypes and paralectotypes have been designated herein for all examined species.

Descriptions of two new species of feather mites (Acarina: Psoroptidia: Pteronyssidae) from Ivory Coast.

Two new feather mite species of the family Pteronyssidae Oudemans, 1941 collected from birds captured in Ivory Coast are described: Pteronyssoides cyanomitrae n. sp. from Cyanomitra obscura (Jardine) (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) and Conomerus pygmaeus n. sp. from Hylia prasina (Cassin) (Passeriformes: Macrosphenidae). Pteronyssoides cyanomitrae n. sp. belongs to the nectariniae species group and differs from the closest species, P. garioui Gaud & Mouchet, 1959, in having, in males, the adanal shield present and setae f longer than setae d on the tarsus III; females of this species have the hysteronotal shield with two small median incisions on the anterior margin barely extending beyond the level of setae e2. Conomerus pygmaeus n. sp. is the first species of this genus found on a passerine host, and seems to be more similar to C. sclerosternus Gaud, 1990. This new species has the following distinctive characters: in females, the opisthosoma has small lobe-like extensions and the central sclerite is fused posteriorly with the lateral opisthosomal sclerites; in males, coxal fields I-IV lack large sclerotised areas.

A new feather mite species of the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Acarina, Proctophyllodidae) from the Large Niltava, Niltava grandis (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) - an integrative description.

A new species of the feather mite genus Proterothrix (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) is described from the Large Niltava Niltava grandis (Blyth) (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae) in northeast India (Meghalaya, Jaintia Hills, Shnongrim village). Proterothrix chachulae Constantinescu, sp. n. differs from all known species of the genus by having in males the aedeagus with bilobate tip. The morphological description is supplemented with molecular characterisation of a fragment f near the 5` terminus of the mitochondrial COI gene.

Anhemialges suteui n. sp. (Astigmata: Analgidae) from Hylia prasina (Cassin) (Passeriformes, Macrosphenidae) in Ivory Coast.

Anhemialges suteui n. sp. (Astigmata: Analgidae: Analginae) is described from the green hylia Hylia prasina (Cassin) (Passeriformes, Macrosphenidae) in Ivory Coast. The new species differs from the closest species, Anhemialges mironovi Kolarova, 2010, by the following features: in both sexes, solenidion σ on genu II is modified and widened in a form of leaf; dorsal setae c2, d2 and e2 are longer; and sternum and epimerites II are thinner. In males of the new species ambulacral discs of legs IV extend beyond the level of the lobar apices; in females, dorsal setae c2, d2 and e2 are situated on small oval shields and the anterior margin of epigynum exceeds the level of mesal extremities of epimerites II.

Two new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia (Acari: Trouessartiidae) from Asia.

Two new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini are described from birds captured in Meghalaya (India): Trouessartia longidenticulata Constantinescu sp. n. from Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae) and Trouessartia dicruri Constantinescu sp. n. from Dicrurus aeneus (Vieillot) (Passeriformes, Dicruridae). In the genus Trouessartia, males of T. longidenticulata show a unique character state in having the lamellae of the opisthosomal lobes with long and sharp denticles. Both sexes of T. dicruri differ from closely related T. delicatula Gaud, 1952 by smaller body size (T. dicruri males are 420-452 long, females 500-532 long, vs. c. 575 and 595, respectively in T. delicatula); males have the adanal apodemes without apophyses and the terminal lamellae in a shape of a parallelogram (vs. the adanal apodemes have a pair of apophyses and the terminal lamellae are semi-ovate); the opisthosomal lobes do not touch each other at the inner margins (vs. the opisthosomal lobes touch each other at the inner margins, at the level of setae h3); in females, setae h1 are lanceolate (vs. spiculiform).

Two new species of the genus Trouessartia (Acari, Trouessartiidae) from laughingthrushes (Passeriformes, Leiothrichidae).

Two new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini are described from laughingthrushes (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae) captured in Meghalaya (India): Trouessartia cyanouropterae sp. n. from Actinodura cyanouroptera (Hodgson) and Trouessartia alcippeae sp. n. from Alcippe nipalensis (Hodgson). It is the first time when species of the genus Trouessartia are described from leiothrichids.

A new species of the genus Timalinyssus Mironov, 2001 (Acarina, Psoroptidia) with a key to known species.

The article describes a new species of the feather mite family Pteronyssidae (Acarina: Psoroptidia) from the Gray Sibia Heterophasia gracilis (McClelland) (Passeriformes, Leiothrichidae) in India (Meghalaya, Jaintia Hills, Shnongrim village). Males of Timalinyssus wahlangi sp. n. differ from those of all Timalinyssus species by having the horseshoe-shaped epiandrum with a short anterior extension. Females of the new species differ from those of all previously known species of the genus in having the hysteronotal shield with deep lateral incisions between e2 and f2 setae. A key to all species of the genus Timalinyssus is presented.

Two new species of feather mites (Acarina: Psoroptidia) from the Great Barbet, Psilopogon virens (Piciformes: Megalaimidae).

The paper describes two new species of feather mites collected on Psilopogon virens (Boddaert) (Piciformes: Megalaimidae) in India (Meghalaya): Megalaimobius massarae sp. nov. (Analgoidea: Pteronyssidae) and Picalgoides arbenzi sp. nov. (Psoroptoidea: Psoroptoididae). Males of M. massarae sp. nov. differ from the other three species of the genus by the shape of the transventral sclerite which is much deeper concave. The female of the new species has the external copulatory tub with an acute apex (this structure has a truncated apex in females of other species). Males of Picalgoides arbenzi sp. nov. differ from the closest species P. capitonis Cerný, 1974 mainly by the shape of adanal apodemes which are fused into a large arch encircling the anal field. Females of the new species have the hysteronotal shield with acute posterior angles and setae d2 situated on the lateral margins of this shield (in females of P. capitonis the hysteronotal shield has the posterior angles rounded and setae d2 situated at a short distance from the lateral margins of this shield).

Three new species of feather mite of the genus Proterothrix Gaud, 1968 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) from passerines in Meghalaya, North East India.

Three new species of the feather mite subfamily Pterodectinae Park & Atyeo, 1971 are described from passerines of the family Muscicapidae Fleming and Leiothrichidae Swainson in India (Meghalaya, East Jaintia Hills District): Proterothrix daberti n. sp. from the White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum (Hodgson), P. khahnarensis n. sp. from the Blue Whistling-Thrush Myophonus caeruleus (Scopoli) (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) and P. indica n. sp. from the Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis (Hodgson) (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae). P. daberti and P. khahnarensis belong to the megacaula species group and differ from one another (and from the third species belonging to the group) in having a distinct ornamentation of dorsal shields in both sexes: with small ovate and circular lacunae in P. daberti and with big ovate lacunae in P. khahnarensis. Proterothrix indica belongs to the paradoxornis species complex (wolffi species group) and differs from the other four species of the complex in having the lateral margins of prodorsal shield with incisions extending to bases of setae se in both sexes. Males of this species have opisthosomal lobes with acute apices.

A new species of pterodectine feather mites (Acarina, Analgoidea, Proctophyllodidae) from the Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra (Passeriformes, Nectariniidae) in Meghalaya, India.

The article describes a new species of the feather mite subfamily Pterodectinae from the Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra Temminck, 1826 (Passeriformes, Nectariniidae) in India. Pedanodectes angustilobus sp. n. differs from all known Pedanodectes species by having opisthosomal lobes short, at base wider than long, roughly rounded apically in males, and strongly elongated and narrowed lobar region with wide terminal appendages in females. A key to species of the genus Pedanodectes is presented.

Two new feather mite species of the family Pteronyssidae (Acarina: Analgoidea) from Meghalaya (Northeast India).

Two new species of the feather mite family Pteronyssidae (Acariformes: Analgoidea) from passerines of the families Leiothrichidae and Pycnonotidae in India (Meghalaya, East Jaintia Hills District) are described: Timalinyssus actinodurae Constantinescu sp. nov. from Actinodura cyanouroptera (Hodgson) (Leiothrichidae) and Pteroherpus meghalayensis Constantinescu sp. nov. from Hemixos flavala Blyth (Pycnonotidae). Timalinyssus actinodurae differs from all of the other species of the genus due to a particular shape of the opisthosomal lobes in both sexes and having a strong sclerotised band in postero-median area of the hysteronotal shield in male. The male of Pteroherpus meghalayensis differs due to a very long genital apparatus and unusual length of the tips of epiandrum that extend the level of the genital apparatus.

Two new species of feather mites (Acarina: Analgoidea) from the Moustached Warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon (Passeriformes, Acrocephalidae), in Romania.

Two new species of feather mites Ingrassiella melanopogoni Constantinescu sp. nov. (Xolalgidae) and Trouessartia mironovi Constantinescu sp. nov. (Trouessartiidae) are described from Acrocephalus melanopogon (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae) from the South-East of Romania. Ingrassiella melanopogoni differs from all species of the genus by having extensions of the posterolateral angles of the prodorsal shield shorter than in other species and not extending to the hysteronotal shield. Trouessartia mironovi is readily distinguished by having an unique combination of characters within the genus: epimerites I are fused in both sexes and epimerites IVa are highly developed in male (coxal fields IV are almost closed).

Sex ratio and sexual dimorphism of three lice species with contrasting prevalence parasitizing the house sparrow.

Female-biased sex ratio is a common phenomenon in parasites; however, the cause and consequence of the skewed sex ratio is less well known. Here, we studied the difference in sex ratio, a possible mechanism responsible for the development of unbalanced proportion of sexes and its consequences on sexual size dimorphism, between 3 louse species parasitizing the house sparrow Passer domesticus. Philopterus fringillae was more prevalent than Sturnidoecus refractariolus and Brueelia cyclothorax. As expected, the most common species, which was probably least affected by isolation and, hence, inbreeding, was characterized by a balanced sex ratio, whereas the 2 other species with low prevalence were significantly more female biased than expected on the basis of the local mate competition hypothesis. Further, in support of this notion, we found that P. fringillae infrapopulation size significantly, and positively, correlated with the sex ratio. Finally, we found significant differences in sexual dimorphism among the 3 louse species and, as expected, the relative size of males was smallest in species with a more female-biased sex ratio.