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Laelaps manipurensis Sinha, 1954 Laelaps (Haemolaelaps) manipurensis Sinha, 1954: 23. Collection records in India: Kanglatongli, Manipur, Assam, on Rattus bullocki and Bandicota bengalensis bengalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) (Sinha, 1954)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 410, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Sinha, T. B. (1954) A new species of Laelaps (Laelaptidae: Acarina). Records of the Indian Museum, 51 (1), 23 - 25. https: // doi. org / 10.26515 / rzsi / v 51 / i 1 / 1954 / 162050"]}

Laelaps buxtoni Radford, 1941 Laelaps buxtoni Radford, 1941: 307. Laelaps buxtoni.— Strandtmann & Wharton, 1958: 61; Tipton, 1960: 267; Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Prasad, 1974: 152; Bhat et al., 1983: 97; Saxena, 1999: 148. Collection records in India: Madras, on a gerbil (Radford, 1941); Uttar Pradesh, on rats (Rao et al., 1973); Uttar Pradesh, Nainital, Garjia, on Tatera indica (Rodentia: Muridae) (Bhat et al, 1983); southern India, on Tatera indica and Bandicota bengalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) (Saxena, 1999)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 410, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Radford, C. D. (1941) Notes on some new species of parasitic mites. Part 4. Parasitology, 33, 306 - 315. https: // doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0031182000024495","Strandtmann, R. W. & Wharton, G. W. (1958) Manual of Mesostigmatid Mites Parasitic on Vertebrates. Institute of Acarology, College Park, Maryland, 330 pp., 69 pls.","Tipton, V. J. (1960) The genus Laelaps, with a review of the Laelaptinae and a new subfamily Alphalaelaptinae (Acarina: Laelaptidae). University of California Publications in Entomology, 16, 233 - 356.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Prasad, V. (1974) A Catalogue of Mites of India. Indira Acarology Publishing House, Ludhiana, 320 pp.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Saxena, V. K. (1999) Mesostigmatid mite infestations of rodents in diverse biotopes of central and southern India. Journal of Parasitology, 85, 147 - 149. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 3285723"]}

Laelaps turkestanicus Lange, 1955 Laelaps (Rattilaelaps) turkestanicus Lange, 1955: 329. Laelaps turkestanicus.— Tipton, 1960: 284; Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Mishra et al., 1977: 47; Bhat et al., 1983: 98; Vinarski & Korallo-Vinarskaya, 2016: 232. Collection records in India: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, on rats (Rao et al., 1973); Western Ghats, Pune, on Rattus rattus rufescens (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mishra et al., 1977); Multiple localities, on multiple species of Mus and Rattus (Bhat et al., 1983)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 411, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Lange, A. B. (1955) The genus Laelaps s. lat. C. L. Koch. Opredeliteli po faune SSSR, izdavaemye Zoologicheskim Institutom Akademii Nauk SSSR, 59, 324 - 340.","Tipton, V. J. (1960) The genus Laelaps, with a review of the Laelaptinae and a new subfamily Alphalaelaptinae (Acarina: Laelaptidae). University of California Publications in Entomology, 16, 233 - 356.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Mishra, A. C., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1977) Ectoparasites from small mammals from Western Ghats of Poona District, Maharashtra. Journal of Communicable Diseases, 9, 40 - 48.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Vinarski, M. V. & Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P. (2016) An annotated catalogue of the gamasid mites associated with small mammals in Asiatic Russia. The family Laelapidae s. str. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina). Zootaxa, 4111 (3), 223 - 245. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4111.3.2"]}

Laelaps agilis Koch, 1836 Laelaps agilis Koch 1836: 19. Laelaps agilis.— Strandtmann & Wharton, 1958: 59; Tipton, 1960: 265; Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Bhat et al., 1983: 95; Vinarski & Korallo-Vinarskaya, 2016: 226. Collection records in India: Uttar Pradesh, on rats, Jammu & Kashmir, on rat and bird (Rao et al., 1973); Multiple localities, on Apodemus flavicollis, Mus musculus, Rattus rattoides (Rodentia: Muridae), Alticola roylei (Rodentia: Cricetidae), Crocidura sp. (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) (Bhat et al., 1983)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 409, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Koch, C. L. (1836) Deutschlands Crustaceen, Myriapoden und Arachniden. Ein Beitrag zur Deutschen Fauna. Heft 4. Putset, Regensberg. [unknown pagination]","Strandtmann, R. W. & Wharton, G. W. (1958) Manual of Mesostigmatid Mites Parasitic on Vertebrates. Institute of Acarology, College Park, Maryland, 330 pp., 69 pls.","Tipton, V. J. (1960) The genus Laelaps, with a review of the Laelaptinae and a new subfamily Alphalaelaptinae (Acarina: Laelaptidae). University of California Publications in Entomology, 16, 233 - 356.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Vinarski, M. V. & Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P. (2016) An annotated catalogue of the gamasid mites associated with small mammals in Asiatic Russia. The family Laelapidae s. str. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina). Zootaxa, 4111 (3), 223 - 245. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4111.3.2"]}

Laelaps sinofiensis Allred, 1969 Laelaps sinofiensis Allred, 1969b: 347. Laelaps sinofiensis.— Mishra et al., 1977: 47. Collection records in India: Western Ghats, Poona, on Rattus blandfordi and Mus booduga (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mishra et al., 1977)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 411, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Allred, D. M. (1969 b) Mites of the genus Laelaps of New Guinea (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae). Journal of Medical Entomology, 6, 337 - 385. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / jmedent / 6.4.337","Mishra, A. C., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1977) Ectoparasites from small mammals from Western Ghats of Poona District, Maharashtra. Journal of Communicable Diseases, 9, 40 - 48."]}

Laelaps echidninus Berlese, 1887 Laelaps echidninus Berlese, 1887b: 1. Echinolaelaps echidninus.— Strandtmann & Wharton, 1958: 72; Alwar & Lalitha, 1960: 56; Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Pawar et al., 2016: 27. Laelaps (Echinolaelaps) echidninus.— Bhat et al., 1983: 99; Mitchell et al., 1966: 118; Vinarski & Korallo-Vinarskaya, 2016: 227; Govindarajan et al., 2021: 64. Laelaps echidnina.— Mishra et al., 1977: 47. Collection records in India: Madras, on rodents (Alwar & Lalitha, 1960); Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, Rattus blanfordi and R. rattus narbadae (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mitchell et al., 1966); Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, on rat and shrew (Rao et al., 1973); Western Ghats, Poona, on Vandeleuria oleracea (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mishra et al., 1977); multiple localities, on multiple species of small mammals (Bhat et al., 1983); Pune, in rat’s nest (Pawar et al., 2016); Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on pest rodents and shrews (Govindarajan et al., 2021)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 410, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Berlese, A. (1887 b) Acari, Myriopoda et Scorpiones hucusque in Italia reperta, 39, 17 (text), 10 pls. [reprint by Junk, The Hague, 1979]","Strandtmann, R. W. & Wharton, G. W. (1958) Manual of Mesostigmatid Mites Parasitic on Vertebrates. Institute of Acarology, College Park, Maryland, 330 pp., 69 pls.","Alwar, V. S. & Lalitha, C. M. (1960) The incidence of Haemolaelaps casalis (Berlese, 1887) Acarina: Laelaptidae on a fowl in Madras. Ceylon Veterinary Journal, 8, 56 - 57.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Pawar, S., Jogdand, S., Jadhav, M. & Deokar, T. (2016) Effect of environment on seasonal dynamics of rat house mites at Pune. International Journal of Entomology Research, 1 (4), 26 - 32.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Mitchell, C. J., Hoogstraal, H., Schaller, G. B. & Spillett, J. (1966) Ectoparasites from mammals in Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India, and their potential disease relationships. Journal of Medical Entomology, 3, 113 - 124. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / jmedent / 3.2.113","Vinarski, M. V. & Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P. (2016) An annotated catalogue of the gamasid mites associated with small mammals in Asiatic Russia. The family Laelapidae s. str. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina). Zootaxa, 4111 (3), 223 - 245. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4111.3.2","Govindarajan, R., Rajamannar, V., Krishnamoorthi, R., Nagaraj, J., Ashwani, K. & Samuel, P. (2021) Species composition of mites (Acari: Trombiculidae, Dermanyssidae, Laelapidae) on pest rodents and shrews in Madurai, India. Halteres, 12, 61 - 68.","Mishra, A. C., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1977) Ectoparasites from small mammals from Western Ghats of Poona District, Maharashtra. Journal of Communicable Diseases, 9, 40 - 48."]}

Laelaps traubi Domrow, 1962 Laelaps traubi Domrow, 1962: 517. Laelaps traubi.— Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Bhat et al., 1983: 98. Collection records in India: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, on small mammals (Rao et al., 1973); multiple localities, on Suncus murinus (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) and five species of Rattus (Rodentia: Muridae) (Bhat et al., 1983)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 411, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Domrow, R. (1962) Seven new species of Laelaps from Malaysia (Acarina: Laelaptidae). Acarologia, 4, 503 - 519.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110."]}

Genus Laelaps Koch, 1836 Laelaps Koch, 1836: 19. Type species: Laelaps hilaris Koch, 1836, designated by Koch, 1842: 88. (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 1950)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 409, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Koch, C. L. (1836) Deutschlands Crustaceen, Myriapoden und Arachniden. Ein Beitrag zur Deutschen Fauna. Heft 4. Putset, Regensberg. [unknown pagination]","Koch, C. L. (1842) Ubersicht des Arachnidensystems. Vol. 3. C. H. Zeh'schen Buchhandlung, Nurnberg, 130 pp., 13 pls.","International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1950) Koch (C. L.), 1835 - 1842, \" Deutschlands Crustaceen Myriapoden und Arachniden \": definition of species eligible for selection as type species of genera first named in. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 4, 372 - 375."]}

Laelaps jugalis Allred, 1969 Laelaps (Echinolaelaps) jugalis Allred, 1969a: 226. Laelaps jugalis.— Rao et al., 1973: 1453; Bhat et al., 1983: 97. Collection records in India: Jammu & Kashmir, on rat (Rao et al., 1973); Jammu & Kashmir, Udhampur, Dehari, Rajauri, Naushera, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, Nurpur, Gutkar, on Rattus (Millardia) meltada (Rodentia: Muridae) (Bhat et al., 1983). Laelaps manii Mrciak et al., 1974 Laelaps manii Mrciak et al., 1974: 8. Collection records in India: Govindgarh Forest, Vindya Mountain near Govindgarh, on Rattus blandfordi (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mrciak et al., 1974)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 410, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Allred, D. M. (1969 a) New mesostigmatid mites from Pakistan with keys to genera and species. Journal of Medical Entomology, 6, 219 - 244. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / jmedent / 6.3.219","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Mrciak, M., Rosicky, B. & Wattal, B. L. (1974) Two new species of the genus Laelaps (Acari: Dermanyssidae) from small mammals in India. Annotationes Zoologicae et Botanicae, 93, 1 - 10."]}

Laelaps algericus Hirst, 1925 Laelaps algericus Hirst, 1925: 57. Laelaps (Laelaps) algericus.— Mitchell et al., 1966: 118. Laelaps algericus.— Strandtmann & Wharton, 1958: 59; Tipton, 1960: 266; Rao et al., 1973: 1454; Prasad, 1974: 151; Mishra et al., 1977: 47; Bhat et al., 1983: 96; Vinarski & Korallo-Vinarskaya, 2016: 227. Collection records in India: Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on Mus booduga booduga and Mus musculus homourus (Rodentia: Muridae) (Mitchell et al., 1966; Prasad, 1974); Uttar Pradesh, on rats, Jammu & Kashmir, on small mammals (Rao et al., 1973); Western Ghats, Poona, on multiple species of small mammals (Mishra et al., 1977); multiple localities, on multiple species of small mammals (Bhat et al., 1983)., Published as part of Bandyopadhyay, Pritha, Karmakar, Krishna & Halliday, Bruce, 2023, Checklist of Indian mites in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 401-424 in Zootaxa 5249 (4) on page 409, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5249.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7694572, {"references":["Hirst, S. (1925) Descriptions of new Acari, mainly parasitic on rodents. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1925, 49 - 69. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1925. tb 03342. x","Mitchell, C. J., Hoogstraal, H., Schaller, G. B. & Spillett, J. (1966) Ectoparasites from mammals in Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India, and their potential disease relationships. Journal of Medical Entomology, 3, 113 - 124. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / jmedent / 3.2.113","Strandtmann, R. W. & Wharton, G. W. (1958) Manual of Mesostigmatid Mites Parasitic on Vertebrates. Institute of Acarology, College Park, Maryland, 330 pp., 69 pls.","Tipton, V. J. (1960) The genus Laelaps, with a review of the Laelaptinae and a new subfamily Alphalaelaptinae (Acarina: Laelaptidae). University of California Publications in Entomology, 16, 233 - 356.","Rao, T. R., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1973) A survey of haematophagous arthropods in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. A general account. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 61, 1421 - 1461.","Prasad, V. (1974) A Catalogue of Mites of India. Indira Acarology Publishing House, Ludhiana, 320 pp.","Mishra, A. C., Dhanda, V. & Kulkarni, S. M. (1977) Ectoparasites from small mammals from Western Ghats of Poona District, Maharashtra. Journal of Communicable Diseases, 9, 40 - 48.","Bhat, H. R., Kulkarni, S. M. & Mishra, A. C. (1983) Records of Mesostigmata, Ereynetidae and Pterygosomidae (Acarina) in Western Himalayas, Sikkim and Hill Districts of West Bengal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 80, 91 - 110.","Vinarski, M. V. & Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P. (2016) An annotated catalogue of the gamasid mites associated with small mammals in Asiatic Russia. The family Laelapidae s. str. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina). Zootaxa, 4111 (3), 223 - 245. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4111.3.2"]}

Scanning electron micrograph of Laelaps agilis (Acari, Mesostigmata), female: gnathosoma and anterior pair of legs, ventral view (419x)

Scanning electron micrograph of Laelaps agilis (Acari, Mesostigmata), dorsal view (100x)

Scanning electron micrograph of Laelaps agilis (Acari, Mesostigmata), female, ventral view, (101x)

Scanning electron micrograph of Laelaps agilis (Acari, Mesostigmata), female: gnathosoma and anterior pair of legs, ventral view (281x)

The House mice (Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758), play an important role in the transmission of diseases, both in humans and livestock, through ectoparasite carried on their feces, urine and hair remnants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ectoparasite s infestation, as well as their quantitative and qualitative abundance and, prevalence in the house mice captured from Hai’l region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Parasitological investigations were performed on 70 house mice trapped during 2012–2013 from two localities (Hai’l City residential area and Al-Khitah agricultural farm habitats in Hai’l region). Captured mice were identified as males (34.3% and 48.6%) and females (65.7% and 51.4%) from the residential and agricultural farm habitats, respectively. The findings of the study showed that the sex ratio of the mice found in different habitats did not influence the level of ectoparasite infestation (P > 0.05). Therefore, we combined only sex-wise samples for each habitat and isolated habitats treated separately for our subsequent analyses. A total of 514 ectoparasites individuals belong to four species were recovered from the mice, which included 339 of flea (Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild, 1903), 39 of sucking lice (Polyplax spinulosa Burmeister, 1835), 37 of sucking lice Polyplax serrata Burmeister, 1839), and 99 of mite species (Laelaps echidninus Berlese, 1887). The presence of zoonotic parasites indicates that Mus musculus as a reservoir, might represent a danger to the public health particularly in the two sampled areas. Results also suggest an increasingly need for further studies to assess the role of the ectoparasites of house mice and their possible involvment in transmission of diseases among these areas.

Various rickettsiae have recently been detected in Laelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae), which are common ectoparasites of rodents; however, investigations on this topic remain very scarce, particularly in Asia. In the present study, shrews and rodents were trapped from 2006 to 2010 in eight lowland regions of Taiwan (

Bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia are known as causative agents of vector-borne zoonotic diseases, such as spotted fevers, epidemic typhus and endemic typhus. Different species of ticks, mites and fleas could act as reservoirs and arthropod vectors of different pathogenic Rickettsia species. The aim of this work was to establish active surveillance of Rickettsia spp. in mites, ticks and fleas collected from small mammals (rodents and shrews) in Eastern Slovakia. A total of 964 animal ear biopsies, 871 mites, 667 ticks and 743 fleas were collected from small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia. All specimens were identified using specialized taxonomic keys, and were conserved in ethanol until DNA extraction was performed. After DNA extraction, identification of Rickettsia species was performed by PCR-based methods. The total prevalence of rickettsiae from ear biopsies was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.2-5.9), in tested mites 9.3% (95% CI, 7.4-11.2), 17.2% (95% CI, 14.3-20.1) in I. ricinus ticks and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.2-4.8) in fleas. Sequence analysis of the partial gltA gene and Rickettsia helvetica-, Rickettsia slovaca-, Rickettsia raoultii- species specific real-time PCR tests revealed the presence of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts. These pathogenic and symbiotic species were confirmed in the following ectoparasite species-Laelaps jettmari, Haemogamasus nidi, Laelaps agilis and Eulaelaps stabularis mites, Ixodes ricinus ticks, Ctenophthalmus solutus, C. assimilis and Megabothris turbidus fleas infesting host-Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Microtus arvalis and Myodes glareolus small mammals. These results confirm the circulation of R. helvetica, R. slovaca, unidentified Rickettsia and rickettsial endosymbionts in mites, ticks and fleas collected on small mammals in the Košice region, Eastern Slovakia.

Los estudios que analizan los factores determinantes en la asociación de ácaros y roedores hospedadores en el Neotrópico son escasos. Un lugar interesante para analizar estos factores es la Cuenca del Plata. En esta área los roedores del género Oligoryzomys (Cricetidae), comúnmente llamados “colilargos”, están ampliamente distribuidos y asociados con gran diversidad de ácaros lelápinos. Esta amplia distribución expone a la fauna de ácaros a distintos factores, tanto bióticos como abióticos. En la Cuenca del Plata se encuentran en simpatría y alopatría, las especies Oligoryzomys flavescens, O. fornesi y O. nigripes, lo que los hace un buen modelo para estudiar asociaciones o factores asociados a la fauna acarológica. El objetivo general de esta tesis fue determinar la distribución de los ácaros lelápinos (Laelapidae: Mesostigmata) en asociación con sus respectivos hospedadores, analizar factores que pudieran explicar dicha distribución e inferir si la asociación parásito-hospedador se debe a procesos coevolutivos o de host-switching. Para esto, se analizaron comunidades de ácaros lelápinos en O. flavescens, O. fornesi y O. nigripes, haciendo énfasis en las poblaciones de ácaros del género Laelaps (Laelapinae). Con fines comparativos se incluyeron además Laelaps spp. asociados a otros miembros de las tribus Oyzomyni y Akodontini. Se realizó extracción de ADN de forma no destructiva, lo que permitió una posterior aclaración de las muestras para su observación bajo microscopio óptico. Para su estudio se utilizó un enfoque integrador abarcando estudios cualitativos, métricos (lineales y geométricos) y moleculares. Además, se realizó un análisis multivariado incluyendo factores bióticos y abióticos para determinar cuáles factores influyeron en la abundancia de ácaros. Se analizó un total de 5151 ácaros lelápinos, recuperados de la prospección de 119 O. flavescens, 19 O. fornesi y 217 O. nigripes. Estos ácaros fueron identificados como: Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (5%), Gigantolaelaps wolffsohni (15%), Mysolaelaps microspinosus (13%), Mysolaelaps parvispinosus (21%), Laelaps schatzi (4%), L. paulistanensis (29%) y Laelaps sp. nov. 1 (12%). El empleo de las distintas técnicas de análisis taxonómico utilizadas en esta tesis permitió la detección de nuevas especies y la determinación de otras ya descritas. Gracias a esto, se reconocieron cuatro especies nuevas de Laelaps para la ciencia (L. schatzi, Laelaps sp. nov.1, Laelaps sp. nov. 2, Laelaps sp. nov. 3) y se actualizaron los registros previos de ácaros para roedores de la Cuenca del Plata. Los resultados de esta tesis indican una especificidad de estos ácaros por lo menos al nivel genérico. Para la mayoría de las especies mencionadas se pudieron postular procesos coevolutivos. Los estudios moleculares revelan, además, que es muy factible considerar a Laelaps como un género polifilético. Los resultados indican que no existe un único factor que determine los patrones de distribución de los ácaros laelápidos en la Cuenca del Plata. Por el contrario, se observó que su distribución estaba determinada por múltiples factores, relacionados particularmente con el hospedero (p. ej. su comportamiento, el sexo o preferencias del hábitat). Esto se refleja en el hecho que en cinco de las siete especies estudiadas, el patrón de asociación parásito-hospedador se mantuvo a lo largo de la distribución geográfica, lo que sugiere una escasa influencia ambiental. Esta tesis esclarece y amplía las asociaciones parásito-hospedador entre los lelápinos y roedores Oligoryzomys spp. en un gradiente geográfico y contribuye al conocimiento de la diversidad de estos ácaros. Además, el protocolo de extracción de ADN no destructivo desarrollado en esa tesis permite una solida identificación morfológica de los lelápidos. Muy pocos estudios siguen este procedimiento, a pesar de las ventajas que presenta en esta área. La combinación entre métodos morfogeométricos y moleculares podría actuar como una herramienta estandarizada para la identificación de los ácaros y proporcionar relaciones filogenéticas entre ellos. Asimismo, se puede destacar la utilidad/importancia de tratar cada morfotipo potencialmente como especie no descrita, ya que la existencia de posibles especies "ocultas" en un complejo de especies o especies crípticas podría afectar a la correcta interpretación de los datos. Para futuros estudios, se propone explorar otras variables que podrían determinar los patrones de distribución de los ácaros como por ejemplo las particularidades de cada hospedador asociado, incluyendo el comportamiento y sus rasgos ecológicos., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Laelaps schatzi sp. nov. Laelaps schatzi Savchenko & Lareschi, 2019: 105146, Figs 2���3 (unavailable name). Laelaps schatzi was described on the basis of the female. The species is unique in having short genitoventral setae (���114 ��m), reticulated surface pattern on the genital shield from the level of Zv1 to the posterior margin, and by the presence of one or two additional unpaired setae between J4 on the dorsal shield. See Savchenko & Lareschi (2019) for the full description. Type material. HOLOTYPE: female (MLP-CNP6316 /M7) ex Oligoryzomys flavescens, Pereyra, Partido de Berazategui, Buenos Aires, Argentina (34��50���13.84���S, 58��5���23.40���W). PARATYPES: 14 females ex Oligoryzomys flavescens, Pereyra, Partido de Berazategui, Buenos Aires, Argentina (34��50���13.84���S, 58��5���23.40���W) (MLP-CNP6314 / M1-M5, MLP-CNP6315 /M6, MLP-CNP6316 /M8, MLP-CNP6318 /M09-10, MLP-CNP6311 /M11-12, MLP-CNP6312 / M12-13, MLP-CNP6313 /M14, MLP-CNP6317 /M15). Etymology. The new species was named in honour of Heinrich Schatz (Innsbruck, Austria) renowned soil ecologist and acarologist who advised E. Savchenko during her bachelor studies and stayed as a true friend over the years. Type host. Oligoryzomys flavescens Waterhouse (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) (CNP 6316, housed at the Anexos de la Colecci��n de Mam��feros del Centro Nacional Patag��nico (CNP), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina). Type locality. Pereyra, Partido de Berazategui, Buenos Aires, Argentina (34��50���13.84���S, 58��5���23.40���W)., Published as part of Lareschi, Marcela & Savchenko, Ekaterina, 2021, Validation of the names of four species of laelapid mites (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) parasitic on sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae), pp. 298-300 in Zootaxa 5072 (3) on page 298, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.3.7, http://zenodo.org/record/5744764, {"references":["Savchenko, E. & Lareschi, M. (2019) A new species of Laelaps Koch, 1836 (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) parasitic of the sigmodontine rodent Oligoryzomys flavescens Waterhouse, 1837 (Rodentia: Cricetidae): Molecular and morphological characterization. Acta Tropica, 199, 105146. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. actatropica. 2019.105146"]}

Savchenko & Lareschi (2019) and Lareschi (2020) described four new species of mites in the family Laelapidae. However, the papers were published in electronic form only and were not registered in ZooBank. They do not satisfy Article 8.5.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 2012), so the new names are not available from those papers. Therefore, the aim of the present note is to validate the names Laelaps schatzi, Androlaelaps azarae, Androlaelaps montensis and Androlaelaps cursor. Type specimens of the four new species are deposited in the Colección de Entomología, Museo de la Plata, Argentina.

The mangrove forest is located in the coastal intertidal zone and plays a vital role in buffering against erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. This ecosystem also serves for ecotourism due to its heterogeneous habitats, which supported a high diversity of plants and animals. Small mammals are among the abundant but poorly recognised inhabitants in mangrove forests. Apart from their role as primary consumer and prey, they are host to various ectoparasites, which potentially become the primary vector for tick-borne diseases among visitors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the small mammal assemblages and their ectoparasite prevalence in mangroves forests of Peninsular Malaysia. The capture-release method was applied for small mammal sampling, and each captured individual was screened and collected for ectoparasites before released. DNA barcoding using CO1 genes was performed for small mammal species verification, whereby ectoparasite identification was based on morphological identification and molecular verification using 16S rDNA genes. A total of 94 small mammals from 6 species were captured across sites, dominated by Rattus tiomanicus (n=74). From this number, 15 individuals (16% prevalence) were infested by ticks, 22 individuals (23%) were infested by mites, whereas 4 individuals (4%) were infested by both ticks and mites. Five species of ticks and one mite species were identified; Amblyomma cordiferum, Ixodes granulatus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Dermacentor auratus, Dermacentor atrosignatus, and Laelaps echidninus. This study reveals a relatively poor diversity of small mammals in the mangroves forest, of which highly infested with a diversity of ectoparasites, elucidating the relationship of hostectoparasite associations in the riparian zone. This information is crucial to inform visitors to these areas, ultimately safeguard against ectoparasite-borne disease.

The Norway rat, Ratttus norvegicus, is a common agricultural pest and an important reservoir host of many zoonoses. A long-term field investigation on gamasid mites was made in 39 counties of Yunnan province, southwest China from 1990 to 2015. A total of 1448 Norway rats were captured, and 10,034 individuals of gamasid mites were collected from the body surface of the rats, which were identified as 42 species and 16 genera under 6 families. Based on some strategies of “data mining”, the present paper took advantage of the long-term accumulated original data and made an ecological analysis of gamasid mites on the Norway rat. The results showed that the infestation of gamasid mites on 1448 Norway rats was common with an overall prevalence (48.55%), mean abundance (6.93) and mean intensity (14.27). Of 42 species of gamasid mites, Laelaps nuttalli, Laelaps echidninus and Ornithonyssus bacoti were three dominant species, and they showed an aggregated distribution among different individuals of their rat host, R. norvegicus. There were much more species (39 species) of gamasid mites on the outdoor rats with a higher prevalence (65.12%), mean abundance (10.24) and mean intensity (15.72) than on the indoor rats (p

The aim of the study was to assess feasibility and outcomes of a multicenter training program in laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD). Whereas expert centers have reported promising outcomes of LPD, nationwide analyses have raised concerns on its safety, especially during the learning curve. Multicenter, structured LPD training programs reporting outcomes including the first procedures are lacking. No LPD had been performed in the Netherlands before this study. During 2014-2016, 8 surgeons from 4 high-volume centers completed the Longitudinal Assessment and Realization of Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery (LAELAPS-2) training program in LPD, including detailed technique description, video training, and proctoring. In all centers, LPD was performed by 2 surgeons with extensive experience in pancreatic and laparoscopic surgery. Outcomes of all LPDs were prospectively collected. In total, 114 patients underwent LPD. Median pancreatic duct diameter was 3 mm [interquartile range (IQR = 2-4)] and pancreatic texture was soft in 74% of patients. The conversion rate was 11% (n = 12), median blood loss 350 mL (IQR = 200-700), and operative time 375 minutes (IQR = 320-431). Grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 34% of patients, requiring catheter drainage in 22% and re-operation in 2%. A Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III complication occurred in 43% of patients. Median length of hospital stay was 15 days (IQR = 9-25). Overall, 30-day and 90-day mortality were both 3.5%. Outcomes were similar for the first and second part of procedures. This LPD training program was feasible and ensured acceptable outcomes during the learning curve in all centers. Future studies should determine whether such a training program is applicable in other settings and assess the added value of LPD

Besides being an important pest in agriculture and forestry, the Himalayan field rat (Rattus nitidus) can be the reservoir host of many zoonoses. Some ectoparasitic gamasid mites on rodents (rats, mice and voles, etc.) are associated with some zoonoses. A field investigation was made in 39 counties in Yunnan Province of southwestern China between 1990 and 2015, and a total of 928 R. nitidus were collected. Based on some strategies of “data mining”, the present paper analyzed the infestation and distribution of gamasid mites on the body surface of R. nitidus in Yunnan for the first time. There were 19,585 individuals of gamasid mites collected, and 18.971 of them were identified as 54 species and 19 genera under seven families. The results indicated that R. nitidus has a high potential to harbor abundant gamasid mites of diverse species. The two dominant mite species, Laelaps nuttalli and Laelaps echidninus, had an aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. nitidus. The identified 54 species of gamasid mites showed a high species diversity on a single rat species (R. nitidus), and the diversity index at the family level was higher than that at the genus level. The infestation of R. nitidus with gamasid mites in the different habitats and altitude gradients was uneven and heterogenic, which reflects the infestation bias in different environments. Most gamasid mites tended to infest male and adult rats rather than female and juvenile ones, which reflects the infestation bias on different sexes and ages. Based on Chao1’s formula, the total number of gamasid mite species on R. nitidus was estimated to be 66.

Associations between species of Laelapidae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssoidea) mites and small rodents have been studied insufficiently. The aim of this study was to investigate infestation patterns of small rodent species by laelapid mites at six locations in Lithuania. A total of 728 rodents were snap- and live-trapped in various locations during 2013–2016. Eight rodent species were identified, namely Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus agrarius, Myodes glareolus, Micromys minutus, Mus musculus, Microtus oeconomus, Microtus arvalis and Microtus agrestis. A total of 343 (47.1%) rodents were found to be infested with up to eight species of parasitic mites from the Laelapidae family (n = 1363): Laelaps agilis, Laelaps hilaris, Hyperlaelaps microti, Haemogamasus nidi, Haemogamasus hirsutus, Eulaelaps stabularis, Hirstionyssus sunci and Myonyssus gigas. The dominant species of mite found on rodents was L. agilis (89.1%), found on 43.4% of all hosts. Abundance and mean intensity of infestation with mites varied among species of hosts and were highest for A. flavicollis. We document new geographical and host records for gamasid mites of eight rodent species in Lithuania.

We describe a new species, Pogonolaelaps termitophilus sp. nov., from specimens collected from termite nests in Iran. We clarify the identity of the genus Pogonolaelaps Nemati & Gwiazdowicz, 2016, its type species Laelaps canestrinii Berlese, 1892, and the related genus Laelaspisella Marais & Loots, 1969.

A reanalysis of the type material of Laelaps elegantulus demonstrates that this species belongs to the Androlaelaps genus. Previously, this species was incorrectly considered to be synonymous with Gaeolaelaps brevipilis (Hirschmann, Bernhard, Greim & Gotz) and G. franzi (Van Aswegen & Loots). A redescription of Gaeolaelaps brevipilis and a key to Gaeolaelaps species of Iran are presented.

Rodents are mammals of the order Rodentia and can harbor a number of ectoparasites. Ectoparasites can transmit diseases to human and domestic animals in residential and non-residential areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in Rattus rattus from Mangrove forests and villages of Qeshm Island. The rodent samples were collected by live traps during 2013–2014. The gender, genus, and species of captured animals were recorded and ectoparasites were collected by skin surface brushing, and subsequently, samples were identified in a laboratory. Overall, 100 rodents were captured in the present study and three species of ectoparasites were collected as follows: Polyplax spinulosa (66%), Laelaps nuttalli (61%), and Liponyssoides muris (10%). Generally, 80 rodents (80%) were infested with at least one species of ectoparasites. Statistical analysis by the chi-square test did not show any significant relation between gender and ectoparasites (p ˃ 0.05). The results of our study indicate that high infestation of the ectoparasite community associated with the rodents captured from Mangrove forests and villages of Qeshm Island is important in terms of public health.

This study investigated associations between Trypanosoma lewisi and Xenopsylla cheopis, a common cyclical vector of T. lewisi; Polyplax spinulosa, a reported mechanical vector; and Laelaps echidnina and Laelaps lamborni, 2 rodent mites of Rattus norvegicus in Durban, South Africa. In total, 379 R. norvegicus individuals were live-trapped at 48 sites in 4 locality types around Durban during a 1-yr period. Rats were euthanized, cardiac blood was taken to check for hemoparasites, and ectoparasites were removed for identification. Parasite species richness was higher in pups (2.11) and juveniles (1.02) than adults (0.87). Most rats in the study harbored 1 or 2 of the 5 parasites surveyed. Rats with trypanosomes and fleas were more prevalent in the city center and harbor, where juveniles were most affected. Rats with lice were more prevalent in informal settlements and urban/peri-urban areas, where pups had the highest infestations. There was a significant positive association between rats with fleas and trypanosomes and a negative association between rats with lice and trypanosomes. Location and rat age were significant predictors of T. lewisi, X. cheopis, and P. spinulosa. Mites showed no strong association with trypanosomes. Ectoparasite associations are possibly habitat and life-cycle related. We conclude that Durban's city center, which offers rats harborage, an unsanitary environment, and availability of food, is a high-transmission area for fleas and trypanosomes, and consequently a potential public health risk.

Background The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, particularly South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of significant medical importance. Considering the diversity and wide distribution of African mole-rats in South Africa, many of these bathyergids could act as carriers of zoonoses. Methods The present study assessed the ectoparasite community of the Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali). We aimed to identify possible parasitic arthropods that may infest this mole-rat species and explore host preference, contributions of seasonality, host sex and body mass as well as social class and colony size on ectoparasite assemblage prevalence and abundance. Results A limited number of ectoparasite species were found on C. h. mahali belonging to two significant taxa: mites (Acari) and fleas, with mites being the most prevalent and abundant. We recorded the presence of X. philoxera, a flea well known as the principal reservoir of plague in the southern African region on the Mahali mole-rats. Only three mite species were collected: Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis and Laelaps liberiensis. Seasonal peaks in prevalence and abundance of X. philoxera and A. scapularis were observed during summer. Xenopsylla philoxera abundance and A. scapularis loads significantly increased on reproductive mole-rat individuals in comparison to non-reproductive individuals. Conclusion Despite the wide distribution of the subterranean African mole-rats, studies investigating their parasitic fauna remain limited and scarce. This dearth in knowledge raises the concern regarding their potential role as an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling of their ectoparasitic community throughout their distributional range and research addressing their role as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa are urgently needed.

Los ectoparásitos representan un grupo muy diverso taxonómicamente, que incluye a las pulgas, piojos, ácaros y garrapatas, entre otros. El objetivo de este trabajo es ampliar el conocimiento sobre la fauna de ectoparásitos asociada a roedores y marsupiales de la provincia de Corrientes. Para este propósito, se tomaron muestras de 2 sitios suburbanos en la ciudad de Corrientes: Santa Ana de los Guácaras y San Patricio. Se examinaron 54 huéspedes mamíferos. Entre los marsupiales, se recolectaron 2 especies: Lutreolina crassicaudata y Didelphis albiventris. Los roedores analizados incluyen 3 especies: Cavia aperea, Oxymycterus rufus y Oligoryzomys sp. El número total de ectoparásitos recolectados fue de 469, que incluyen 5 géneros de ácaros: Androlaelaps Berlese, 1903, Gigantolaelaps Nesbitt, 1951, Laelaps Koch, 1836, Mysolaelaps Fonseca, 1935 y Ornithonyssus Sambon, 1928; 3 especies de garrapatas: Amblyomma ovale, A. dubitatum e Ixodes loricatus; 2 especies de pulgas: Polygenis axius y Polygenis bohlsi, y 3 piojos diferentes: Trimenopon hispidum, Gliricola sp. y Gyropus sp. Estos resultados proporcionan nuevos registros de huéspedes y localidad, así como, nuevas asociaciones parásito-huésped. Taxonomically, ectoparasites represent a very diverse group, which includes: fleas, lice, mites, and ticks, among others. The aim of this work is to extend the knowledge about the ectoparasite fauna associated with rodents and marsupials from Corrientes Province. For this purpose, 2 suburban sites in Corrientes City were sampled: Santa Ana de los Guácaras and San Patricio. Fifty-four mammal hosts were examined. Among the marsupials, 2 species were collected: Lutreolina crassicaudata Desmarest, 1804 and Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. The analyzed rodents included 3 species: Cavia aperea Erxleber, 1777, Oxymycterus rufus Fischer, 1814 and Oligoryzomys sp. Bangs, 1900. In total, 469 ectoparasites were collected including 5 genera of mites: Androlaelaps Berlese, 1903, Gigantolaelaps Nesbitt, 1951, Laelaps Koch, 1836, Mysolaelaps Fonseca, 1935, and Ornithonyssus Sambon, 1928; 3 species of ticks, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, A. dubitatum Neumann, 1899, and Ixodes loricatus Neumann, 1899; 2 species of fleas: Polygenis axius Jordan & Rothschild, 1923 and Polygenis bohlsi Wagner, 1901, and 3 different lice, Trimenopon hispidum Burmeister, 1838, Gliricola sp. Schrank, 1781, and Gyropus sp. Nitzsch, 1818. These results provide host and locality records and new parasite-host associations. Fil: Benitez Ibalo, Alicia Paola. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Aguiar, Leonardo Dionel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Di Benedetto, Ingrid María Desireé. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina Fil: Mangold, Atilio Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extension Rural Rafaela.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Milano, Alicia María Francisca. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina Fil: Debárbora, Valeria Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Haematophagous ectoparasites are worldwide vectors of many zoonotic bacterial diseases, both emerging and re-emerging, whose incidences are rising. Livestock development alters different environmental characteristics such as the microclimate of a site, changing the availability, density and susceptibility of the hosts to pathogens and vectors, indirectly influencing the spread and persistence of a disease within an ecosystem. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), the most abundant vertebrate pest species found on livestock farms from Argentina, is a reservoir for several important zoonotic bacteria and may harbor ectoparasite species, which act as their vectors. Even though the Norway rat is widely known for its role as an ectoparasite host, the ecological characteristics of their ectoparasite communities and the related factors with parasitism on livestock farms have never been described. In the present study, we describe the ectoparasite community in Norway rats from central Argentina livestock farms, while also depicting the influencing factors on both ectoparasite occurrence and abundance. Ectoparasites were collected from rats captured in 20 sites from Buenos Aires province, between the winter of 2016 and the summer of 2018. A total of 1441 ectoparasite individuals were collected from 159 Norway rat individuals [Total ectoparasite prevalence = 69.2%; Mean ectoparasite specimen abundance (± CI) = 9.06 ± 2.32 ectoparasite individuals per rat; Mean ectoparasite specimen intensity (±CI) = 13.10 ± 3.08 ectoparasite individuals per infested rat found]. Ectoparasite assemblage consisted of four cosmopolitan species, recognized for their sanitary relevance: mites (Laelapidae: Laelaps nuttalli and Laelaps echidninus), lice (Polyplacidae: Polyplax spinulosa) and fleas (Pulicidae: Xenopsylla cheopis). We observed higher Norway rat abundance in sites related to higher ectoparasite occurrence and abundance frequencies on the rats. Additionally, ectoparasites were more abundant on rats in warm seasons and on male individuals, over female rats. Moreover, the geographical location of the studied sites influenced the ectoparasite assemblage structure observed on the rats. This study broadens the knowledge on the role of Norway rats as zoonotic ectoparasites hosts and analyzes the drivers influencing ectoparasite occurrence and abundance on the most populated region of Argentina, which is also the region with the most intensive livestock farming. Therefore, this survey may assist in evaluating potential risks for humans and generate effective sanitary control strategies for ectoparasite-borne infectious diseases.

The present study aims to determine different biological aspects of the commonest soil predaceous mites, Androlaelaps casalis ( Berlese ) and Laelaps astronomicus Koch 1839 (Laelapidae) which were collected from untreated onion soil; at Qaha region, Qaluobia Governorate when reared on free living nematodes, Rhabditella muscicola Andrassy and the acarid mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) at 20, 25 and 30 ˚C and 70 % R.H. The study indicated that there were nonsignificant differences between the incubation period of A. casalis and L. astronomicus when fed on different diets.The female and male life-cycle of the two predacious mites when feed on free nematodes was significantly longer than those fed on T. putrescentiae. The pre-oviposition and post-oviposition periods of A. casalis and L. astronomicus were nonsignificantly affected by the prey typesat the different temperatures. On the other hand, there were obviously differences when the mites fed during their ovipostion time on the same foods at the same temperatures. The study showed that the longevity of the A. casalis and L. astronomicus differed significantly when the adult female and male fed on the different diets at different tempertures.The current study also indicated that the feeding of the predacious mites A. casalis and L. astronomicus on nematode increased the number of deposited eggs by the mite female compared with those fed on the acarid mite.

Objective To evaluate the rattus biological control program in Iranian Persian Gulf Island, Abu-Musa. Methods This study was conducted on the Iranian island of Abu-Musa during April 2012 to March 2013. The rattus trapping was done using commercial live and baited rat trap, in different parts of the island. Also the island of Qeshm, with a similar weather and climatic conditions in the Persian Gulf was considered as a control area, which any comprehensive rattus control plan has not been implemented during the implementation of rattus biological control program on Abu-Musa Island. All ectoparasites were collected and stored at 70% ethanol. Ectoparasites, including fleas, lice and mites were identified using identification keys. In addition, a number of released mongooses were captured and identified. Results Despite a year of trapping on the island, no rattus were caught in the traps. While on the island of Qeshm, as a control location, rate of rat trappings was estimated 33.3%. Among the 27 captured rodents in two islands, a total of 89 ectoparasites including fleas, Xenopsylla astia (32 females, 18 males) and Cetenocephalides felis (9 females, 7 males), louse, Polyplax spinulosa (8 females, 2 males) and mite, Laelaps nuttalli (13 females and males) were collected. In this study, the introduced mongoose on the island of Abu-Musa, which has established and increased their population and been distributed in all parts of the island, was identified as Indian gray mongoose, Herpestes edwardsii. Conclusions The introduced Indian gray mongoosehas successfully eradicated the rattus population in island of Abu-Musa, but we have no information about its direct and indirect impacts on other native faunal elements of this island.

To explore how biogeography, parasite life history and host vagility influences evolutionary codivergences, we followed a comparative phylogeography approach using a host-specific nonpermanent mite, Laelaps giganteus, that occurs on four rodent species within the genus Rhabdomys. A mtDNA COI haplotype network derived for 278 parasite specimens showed marked phylogeographic congruence with host distributions. Analysis of the less variable nuclear intron Tropomyosin was in part consistent with these results. Although distance-based cophylogenetic analyses in axparafit failed to support significant mtDNA codivergences (P ≥ 0.02), event-based analyses revealed significant cophylogeny between sampling localities of Rhabdomys and Laelaps using core-pa (P = 0.046) and jane (P = 0.026; P = 0.00). These findings, in conjunction with the weak congruence previously reported among the permanent ectoparasitic lice Polyplax and Rhabdomys, suggest that host-parasite intimacy is not the most important driver of significant codivergence in our study system. Instead, the more restricted dispersal ability of L. giganteus, when compared to Polyplax, resulted in stronger spatial structuring and this could have resulted in significant codivergence. Host switching occurred predominantly on the edges of host distributions and was probably facilitated by climate-induced range shifts. When host ranges shift, the phylogeographic structure of L. giganteus is not reflecting the host movements as most of the nest bound parasites do not disperse with the host (they miss the boat) and the genetic contribution of the few dispersing mite individuals is often overwhelmed by the large number of individuals already present in nests within the new environment (causing them to drown on arrival).