Multiple factors influence claw characteristics in oribatid mites (Acari).

Claws, as nature's multifaceted instruments, play fundamental roles across the animal kingdom, aiding in prey capture and enabling movement across diverse terrains. Claw features often reflect the ecologies of the respective taxa and thus can provide important insights into the different lifestyles. This study explores the claw morphology of monodactylous oribatid mites through geometric morphometrics, analyzing 559 specimens from 49 species across various ecosystems. The research identifies distinct claw characteristics associated with specific habitats, revealing a significant correlation between claw morphology and the mites' environmental adaptations. Littoral mites exhibit notably larger claws compared to terrestrial counterparts, with aquatic and semiaquatic species presenting intermediate traits. The analysis shows an inverse relationship between claw curvature and sharpness, differing from patterns observed in larger animals. A trend of increasing claw bluntness with body size in terrestrial mites echoes biomechanical constraints seen in larger species. The study also observes consistent claw shapes within oribatid superfamilies, suggesting a potential, albeit muted, phylogenetic influence alongside environmental factors. These findings reveal how ecological, evolutionary, and functional aspects influence claw morphology in oribatid mites, enhancing our knowledge of arthropod biology and potentially inspiring biomimetic advances in material science and engineering.

Chronic blepharitis due to Demodex: A prospective study in Sfax (Tunisia).

INTRODUCTION: Chronic blepharitis is a common cause of eye irritation and dryness. They are often treated without regard to causal factors such as parasites which are rarely mentioned. AIM: To describe the role of Demodex in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis, to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic particularities. METHODS: This is a prospective, case-control study conducted in the mycology parasitology department at the Habib Bourguiba university hospital in Sfax covering 100 cases with chronic blepharitis and 87 control cases. Clinical examination and eyelash removal were performed with direct examination for qualitative and quantitative analysis, before and after treatment. RESULTS: Demodex was significantly more found in patients than in controls (48% vs 13.8%). The quantitative analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups with 52.1% of Demodex (+++) for patients versus 8.3% for controls. Demodex blepharitis were treated with yellow oxid mercure ophthalmic ointment with a good outcome in 81,3%. CONCLUSION: Although it is admitted to be a saprophyte of the skin, a large number of arguments argues for the incrimination of Demodex in the etiopathogenesis of chronic blepharitis, hence the interest of eyelashes examination and a parasitic research in front of any chronic blepharitis resistant to usual treatments. In case of positive research, a specific treatment should be prescribed. Its effectiveness is another argument for the etiological diagnosis.

Identification and pathogen detection of a Neocypholaelaps species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae) from beehives in the Republic of Korea.

In this study, we identified a new strain of the genus Neocypholaelaps from the beehives of Apis mellifera colonies in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The Neocypholaelap sp. KOR23 mites were collected from the hives of honeybee apiaries in Wonju, Gangwon-do, in May 2023. Morphological and molecular analyses based on 18S and 28S rRNA gene regions conclusively identified that these mites belong to the genus Neocypholaelaps, closely resembling Neocypholaelaps sp. APGD-2010 that was first isolated from the United States. The presence of 9 of 25 honeybee pathogens in these mite samples suggests that Neocypholaelaps sp. KOR23 mite may act as an intermediate vector and carrier of honeybee diseases. The identification of various honeybee pathogens within this mite highlights their significance in disease transmission among honeybee colonies. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and implications of these mites for bee health management and pathogen dissemination.

Sister predatory mites collectively protect their eggs against predators.

Group-living animals sometimes cooperatively protect their offspring against predators. This behavior is observed in a wide range of taxa but, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of its occurrence in arthropods that are not eusocial. Adult female predatory mites Gynaeseius liturivorus protect their eggs against egg predators, the predatory mite species Neoseiulus californicus. In the field, several adult female G. liturivorus were often found on the same plant structures such as folded leaves. We tested whether these females might protect their eggs cooperatively, focusing on kinship between the females. When two adult female G. liturivorus were kept in the absence of egg predators, their reproduction was not affected by their kinship. The presence of egg predators reduced the number of G. liturivorus eggs. However, reproduction of two G. liturivorus sisters was higher than that of two non-sisters. Together, sisters guarded the oviposition site longer than non-sisters. We further tested if non-sisters increased egg guarding by having developed together from eggs to adults and found no such effect. Although it remains unclear how adult female G. liturivorus recognize conspecifics as kin or sisters, our results suggest that G. liturivorus sisters reduced predation on their offspring by cooperatively guarding their eggs.

Phylogenomics resolves the higher-level phylogeny of herbivorous eriophyoid mites (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea).

BACKGROUND: Eriophyoid mites (Eriophyoidea) are among the largest groups in the Acariformes; they are strictly phytophagous. The higher-level phylogeny of eriophyoid mites, however, remains unresolved due to the limited number of available morphological characters-some of them are homoplastic. Nevertheless, the eriophyoid mites sequenced to date showed highly variable mitochondrial (mt) gene orders, which could potentially be useful for resolving the higher-level phylogenetic relationships. RESULTS: Here, we sequenced and compared the complete mt genomes of 153 eriophyoid mite species, which showed 54 patterns of rearranged mt gene orders relative to that of the hypothetical ancestor of arthropods. The shared derived mt gene clusters support the monophyly of eriophyoid mites (Eriophyoidea) as a whole and the monophylies of six clades within Eriophyoidea. These monophyletic groups and their relationships were largely supported in the phylogenetic trees inferred from mt genome sequences as well. Our molecular dating results showed that Eriophyoidea originated in the Triassic and diversified in the Cretaceous, coinciding with the diversification of angiosperms. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals multiple molecular synapomorphies (i.e. shared derived mt gene clusters) at different levels (i.e. family, subfamily or tribe level) from the complete mt genomes of 153 eriophyoid mite species. We demonstrated the use of derived mt gene clusters in unveiling the higher-level phylogeny of eriophyoid mites, and underlines the origin of these mites and their co-diversification with angiosperms.

The Poultry Red Mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, travels far but not frequently, and takes up permanent residence on farms.

Management of Dermanyssus gallinae, a cosmopolitan hematophagous mite responsible for damage in layer poultry farming, is hampered by a lack of knowledge of its spatio-temporal population dynamics. Previous studies have shown that the circulation of this pest between farms is of strictly anthropogenic origin, that a mitochondrial haplogroup has been expanding on European farms since the beginning of the 21st century and that its local population growth may be particularly rapid. To refine our understanding of how D. gallinae spreads within and among farms, we characterized the genetic structure of mite populations at different spatial scales and sought to identify the main factors interrupting gene flow between poultry houses and between mitochondrial haplogroups. To this end, we selected and validated the first set of nuclear microsatellite markers for D. gallinae and sequenced a region of the CO1-encoding mitochondrial gene in a subsample of microsatellite-genotyped mites. We also tested certain conditions required for effective contamination of a poultry house through field experimentation, and conducted a survey of practices during poultry transfers. Our results confirm the role of poultry transport in the dissemination of mite populations, but the frequency of effective contamination after the introduction of contaminated material into poultry houses seems lower than expected. The high persistence of mites on farms, even during periods when poultry houses are empty and cleaned, and the very large number of nodes in the logistic network (large number of companies supplying pullets or transporting animals) undoubtedly explain the very high prevalence on farms. Substantial genetic diversity was measured in farm populations, probably as a result of the mite's known haplodiploid mode of sexual reproduction, coupled with the dense logistic network. The possibility of the occasional occurrence of asexual reproduction in this sexually reproducing mite was also revealed in our analyses, which could explain the extreme aggressiveness of its demographic dynamics under certain conditions.

Biomechanical adaptations enable phoretic mite species to occupy distinct spatial niches on host burying beetles.

Niche theory predicts that ecologically similar species coexist by minimizing interspecific competition through niche partitioning. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of niche partitioning is essential for predicting interactions and coexistence between competing organisms. Here, we study two phoretic mite species, Poecilochirus carabi and Macrocheles nataliae that coexist on the same host burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides and use it to 'hitchhike' between reproductive sites. Field observations revealed clear spatial partitioning between species in distinct host body parts. Poecilochirus carabi preferred the ventral side of the thorax, whereas M. nataliae were exclusively found ventrally at the hairy base of the abdomen. Experimental manipulations of mite density showed that each species preferred these body parts, largely regardless of the density of the other mite species on the host beetle. Force measurements indicated that this spatial distribution is mediated by biomechanical adaptations, because each mite species required more force to be removed from their preferred location on the beetle. While P. carabi attached with large adhesive pads to the smooth thorax cuticle, M. nataliae gripped abdominal setae with their chelicerae. Our results show that specialist biomechanical adaptations for attachment can mediate spatial niche partitioning among species sharing the same host.

Escabiose: aspectos gerais e a importância no reconhecimento e tratamento precoces / Scabies: general aspects and the importance of early recognition and treatment

A escabiose é uma dermatose infecto parasitária mais prevalente no mundo, sobretudo nas regiões tropicais e em países de baixa renda. Surtos são comuns em locais de aglomeração como presídios, escolas e campos de refugiados, e tanto o atraso no diagnóstico como o tratamento inadequado são responsáveis pela propagação da doença. Este trabalho tem por objetivos destacar os principais aspectos da escabiose bem como as apresentações dermatológicas, a fim de auxiliar no diagnóstico e tratamentos precoces, tendo como foco o médico generalista. O estudo foi realizado no Departamento de Clínica de Dermatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), através de uma revisão de literatura com acesso aos bancos de dados eletrônicos PubMed. A escabiose é causada pelo Sarcoptes scabiei, caracterizada pelo prurido intenso e por lesões cutâneas sugestivas e localizações típicas, mas que podem variar de acordo com a faixa etária ou estados de imunossupressão. É considerada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde uma doença tropical negligenciada, podendo causar grande impacto socioeconômico e, ainda que com menor frequência, levar a complicações, muitas vezes decorrentes de infecções bacterianas secundárias, sobretudo nas formas mais graves da doença (vistas principalmente em pacientes imunossuprimidos). Por esses motivos, o reconhecimento das principais formas de apresentação clínica e sintomas associados são importantes para que o diagnóstico seja estabelecido de forma breve, possibilitando a instituição correta do tratamento e, com isso, cessando o ciclo de transmissão do ácaro.

Incidence of eriophyid mites (Acariformes: Eriophyidae) and predatory mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) in Florida citrus orchards under three different pest management programs.

The abundance and diversity of eriophyid and phytoseiid mites in south and central Florida were assessed in six citrus orchards under three different pest management systems, conventional, organic, and untreated. Tree canopy, ground cover, and leaf litter were sampled every two months in two groves for each of the three pest management systems from April 2019 to February 2021. The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) represented 95 to 99% of the rust mites sampled in each grove except in one untreated orchard where it accounted for 45% of the samples (n = 938 total P. oleivora mounted specimens). The pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer) was present in organic and untreated orchards at 5% and 28%, respectively, but absent from conventional orchards (n = 134 total A. pelekassi mounted specimens). Twenty-nine species of phytoseiid mites were identified from 1778 specimens. Thirteen species were present in the canopy, fifteen in the ground cover, and eighteen in the leaf litter with some common species among these habitats. In the tree canopy, Typhlodromalus peregrinus (39%), Euseius spp. (25%), and Iphiseiodes quadripilis (19%) were the dominant species. Typhlodromalus peregrinus (43%), Typhlodromips dentilis (25%), and Proprioseiopsis mexicanus (13%) were the major species in the ground cover. Species richness was lower in organic orchards (3.0) compared to conventional and untreated orchards (5.0 and 4.7, respectively). In the leaf litter, Amblyseius curiosus (26%), Proprioseiopsis carolinianus (15%), Chelaseius floridanus (14%), and Amblyseius tamatavensis (12%) were the most common species. Shannon index was significantly higher in conventional orchards (1.45) compared to organic and untreated orchards (1.02 and 1.05, respectively). Evenness was also higher in conventional orchards (0.86) compared to organic and untreated (0.72 and 0.68, respectively). Finding of several phytoseiids in abundance across pest management programs suggest the need for identifying their role in pest suppression particularly mites.

Prey stage preference of Amblyseius paraaerialis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on varied life stages of the spider mites Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus macfarlanei and Oligonychus biharensis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and exploring the mass rearing possibilities of this predatory mite on alternative diets.

Spider mites Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus macfarlanei and Oligonychus biharensis are considered to be highly polyphagous in nature and causes severe damage to a wide range of plants around the world. Amblyseius paraaerialis is an efficient phytoseiid predator of spider mites with a potential to survive on both natural and alternative diets. Evaluation of predatory potential and prey stage preference provides valuable information on the efficacy of the predatory species in controlling mite population. Feeding experiments were conducted on mulberry leaf discs under the laboratory conditions of 30 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). After 24 h of feeding experiment, the adult female predator exhibited a significant preference in feeding towards the eggs of T. macfarlanei (42.6%) and the larval stages of T. urticae (46%) and O. biharensis (25.3%). The mass rearing possibilities of A. paraaerialis was tested by tracking and comparing the developmental duration of individual life stages on varied food sources like, honey, castor (Ricinus communis) pollen, honey-pollen mixture and mixed life stages of T. urticae. The predator was failed to complete its development on honey and pollen when supplied separately. However it was successfully developed on honey-pollen mixture and mixed life stages of T. urticae. The developmental studies unravelled a shortest developmental duration and an extended adult longevity and lifespan of A. paraaerialis when reared on the alternative diet, thus opened up the mass rearing possibility of the predatory species under laboratory conditions.

A revision of the genus Extenuipalpus Reck, 1959 (Trombidiformes: Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae), with description of a new species.

Extenuipalpus is reviewed, covering its taxonomic history, a new genus diagnosis, body and leg chaetotaxy, and redescriptions of the three previously known species E. niekerkae (Meyer, 1979), E. quadrisetosus (Lawrence, 1940) and E. sagittus (Meyer, 1993) based on type material. We also describe a new species, E. situngu Beard & Ueckermann sp. nov. from glossy forest grape, Rhoicissus rhomboidea (E. Mey ex Harv.) Planch. (Vitaceae), and provide a key to species of Extenuipalpus.

Catalogue of juvenile instars of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida)the next decade (20142023).

In its traditional, paraphyletic context (sans Astigmata), oribatid mites comprise more than 11,000 known species (Subas 2022). They are largely fungivores and decomposers in organic horizons of soil and have a plesiotypic ontogeny that includes four active, free-living juvenile instars. In a taxonomically organized 2014 catalogue, we summarized literature resources concerning the 805 species for which ontogenetic data (mainly morphological) were available. Herein, we supplement that catalogue with all data known to us that were published during the intervening decade. These relate to 267 species, of which 165 were described prior to 2014. As in the 2014 catalogue, representation is strongest among: the middle-derivative hyporder Nothrina; brachypyline superfamilies that are affiliated with aquatic, semiaquatic or intertidal environments (Limnozetoidea, Ameronothroidea); some eupheredermous groups (Plateremaeoidea, Damaeoidea); and Ceratozetoidea. Also as in 2014, groups that are underreprented, based on their high known diversity, are the ptyctimous Mixonomata (Euphthiracaroidea, Phthiracaroidea) and the brachypyline superfamilies Oppioidea and Oripodoidea.

New findings of poronotic oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Korea.

This work deals with 13 species of oribatid mites from different regions of Korea. Two new species, Humerobates aokii sp. nov. and Humerobates ulleungdoensis sp. nov. are proposed, and 11 known species, Punctoribates ezoensis (Fujikawa, 1982), Tectoribates proximus (Berlese, 1910), Protoribates tohokuensis Fujikawa, 2003, Protoribates capucinus Berlese, 1908, Peloribates pilosus Hammer, 1952, Scheloribates fimbriatus Thor, 1930, Neoribates aurantiacus (Oudemans, 1914), Zygoribatula glabra (Michael, 1890), Pergalumna myrmophila (Berlese, 1914), Trichogalumna boninensis Hagino, Bayartogtokh & Shimano, 2017, and Trichogalumna ohkuboi Hagino, Bayartogtokh & Shimano, 2017 are newly reported for the fauna of Korea. Supplementary descriptions and illustrations of each species along with their distributional data are provided.

Schizosthetus Athias-Henriot, 1982 (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae): the description of a new species from China.

A new species, Schizosthetus baixuelii sp. nov., is described based on females from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. A key to the known species of the genus is presented.

Recurrent episodes of oral mite anaphylaxis in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical presentation and response to management of a dog with presumed oral mite anaphylaxis. CASE SUMMARY: A 2-year-old male intact Golden Retriever was evaluated for a history of recurrent anaphylactic episodes. Over a period of 19 months, the dog had a total of 8 anaphylactic episodes that occurred in 2 different residences within the same state. The episodes most commonly resulted in vomiting and labored breathing, but the dog developed ascites, hypotension, and gall bladder wall edema during the most severe episodes. Serological testing demonstrated high immunoglobulin E levels to storage mites (SMs), specifically Tyrophagus SM. The dog's kibble was transitioned to being stored in small quantities in airtight containers in the freezer. At the time of publication, the dog has not had an anaphylactic reaction since making this change 1 year ago. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Based on a literature search and to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that SMs have been associated with severe recurrent anaphylaxis in a dog.

Empirically tuned theory reveals why symbiont abundance 'mite' vary across hosts.

Research Highlight: del Mar Labrador, M., Serrano, D., Doña, J., Aguilera, E., Arroyo, J. L., Atiénzar, F., Barba, E., Bermejo, A., Blanco, G., Borràs, A., Calleja, J. A., Cantó, J. L., Cortés, V., de la Puente, J., de Palacio, D., Fernández-González, S., Figuerola, J., Frías, Ó., Fuertes-Marcos, B. Garamszegi, L. Z., Gordo, Ó., Gurpegui, M., Kovács, I., Martínez, J. L., Meléndez, L., Mestre, A., Møller, A. P., Monrós, J. S., Moreno-Opo, R., Navarro, C., Pap, P. L., Pérez-Tris, J., Piculo, R., Ponce, C., Proctor, H., Rodríguez, R., Sallent, Á., Senar, J., Tella, J. L., Vágási, C. I., Vögeli, M., & Jovani, R. (2023). Host space, not energy or symbiont size, constrains feather mite abundance across passerine bird species. Journal of Animal Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14032. Symbionts represent crucial links between species in ecosystems. Consequently, understanding their patterns of abundance is a major goal in the study of symbioses. However, multiple biotic and abiotic factors may regulate symbionts, and disentangling the mechanisms that drive variation in their abundance across host species is challenging. One promising strategy to approach this challenge is to incorporate biologically relevant data into theoretical models. In a recent study, Labrador et al. (2023) used this strategy to investigate the poorly understood symbiosis between feather mites and their avian hosts. They integrate a remarkable amount of empirical data with models based on the metabolic theory of ecology to determine what factors limit feather mite abundance across European passerines. Their quantitative analyses indicate that the number of feather barbs limits mite abundance across host species, suggesting that mite populations are spatially, but not energetically, constrained. These findings not only reveal mechanisms that may drive the variation in feather mite abundances across hosts, but also advance our understanding of the ecology of interspecific interactions more generally.

Resistance of dwarf Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) cultivars to Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae).

The red palm mite Raoiella indica Hirst, 1924 (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is an important pest of the coconut palm Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) and has caused problems in coconut production worldwide. Research has been carried out aiming at controlling the mite through chemical, biological, alternative, and host plant resistance methods. Identifying coconut palm cultivars resistant to R. indica is important to reduce the problems caused to plantations. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of R. indica in six dwarf coconut palm cultivars, to identify sources of resistance. The cultivars of the sub-varieties green, red, and yellow evaluated were Brazilian Green Dwarf-Jiqui (BGDJ), Brazilian Red Dwarf-Gramame (BRDG), Cameroon Red Dwarf (CRD), Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), Brazilian Yellow Dwarf-Gramame (BYDG), and Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD). Confinement and free choice tests of R. indica on the cultivars were performed, in which biological parameters and preference were evaluated. Mite performance was different in the cultivars evaluated. In the confinement bioassay, R. indica had the worst performance in the cultivar BGDJ, the best performance in CRD, MRD, and BRDG, and intermediate performance in BYDG and MYD. In the free choice test, the cultivars MRD and MYD were preferred in relation to BGDJ, and CRD was less preferred in relation to BGDJ. Therefore, we considered that the cultivar BGDJ is the most resistant to R. indica, by antibiosis and antixenosis; CRD has resistance by antixenosis; and MRD, BRDG, BYDG, and MYD are susceptible.

Double-Blind Comparison of Eyelash Epilation Techniques for the Purpose of Demodex folliculorum Mite Retrieval.

OBJECTIVE: Demodex folliculorum blepharitis is typically confirmed with lash epilation and microscopic identification of mites. However, mite counts may vary with the epilation technique. As there is no gold standard to epilating lashes for the purposes of mite counts, the aim of this study was to compare three epilation techniques. METHOD: A prospective randomized double-blind study compared three epilation techniques on lashes with cylindrical dandruff. Techniques included (A) direct pulling of the lash; (B) rotating the lash before epilation; and (C) sliding the cylindrical dandruff away, lash rotation, and epilation. Mean mite counts were analyzed using a repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Forty (n=40) participants (20 M: 20 F, mean age of 62.3±17.1 years) revealed similar mite counts between right (1.43±1.74) and left (1.35±1.59) eyes ( P =0.63). A significant difference ( P =0.03) in mite count was noted (technique A: 1.05 ± 1.60; technique B 1.76 ± 1.80; and technique C 1.36 ± 1.54) with technique B yielding the highest mite count ( P =0.04). CONCLUSION: Demodex mite count is a key parameter in establishing infestation or to determine treatment efficacy. This study revealed that rotating the lash before epilation yielded the highest mite count. Future studies should report the epilation technique used to allow for study comparisons.