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Apricot bud gall mite, Acalitus phloeocoptes (Nalepa), is a destructive arthropod pest that causes significant economic losses to apricot trees worldwide. The current study explores the ways to understand the mode of dispersal of A. phloeocoptes, the development and ultrastructure of apricot bud gall, and the role of phytohormones in the formation of the apricot bud galls. The results demonstrated that the starch granules in the bud axon were extended at the onset of the attack. During the later stages of the attack, the cytoplasm was found to deteriorate in infected tissues. Furthermore, we have observed that the accumulation of large amounts of cytokinin (zeatin, ZT) and auxin (indoleacetic acid, IAA) led to rapid bud proliferation during rapid growth period, while abscisic acid (ABA) controls the development of gall buds and plays a vital role in gall bud maturity. The reduction of gibberellic acid (GA3) content led to rapid lignification at the later phase of bud development. Overall, our results have revealed that the mechanism underlying the interaction of apricot bud gall with its parasite and have provided reliable information for designing valuable Apricot breeding programs. This study will be quite useful for pest management and will provide a comprehensive evaluation of ecology-based cost-effective control, life history and demographic parameters of A. phloeocoptes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Four new water mite species of the genus Hygrobates, subgenus Lurchibates (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) are described. Hygrobates (Lurchibates) macrochela sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in male and female; Hygrobates (Lurchibates) malosimilis sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in male, both new water mite species were collected from newts of the species Pachytriton inexpectatus Nishikawa, Jiang, Matsui Mo, 2011; Hygrobates (Lurchibates) incognitus sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in female collected from newts of the species Paramesotriton guangxiensis (Huang, Tang and Tang, 1983); Hygrobates (Lurchibates) fragmentarius sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in a single severely fragmented specimen (sex could not be determined) collected from a newt of the species Paramesotriton yunwuensis Wu, Jiang, and Hanken, 2010. Principal differences between the subgenus Lurchibates and the nominal subgenus Hygrobates s. str. are illustrated and discussed as well as the sexual dimorphism of Lurchibates. Morphometric analyses confirmed the morphological differences of ten out of the eleven so far described species (H. (L.) fragmentarius could not be included in the analysis); two morphological groups became evident mainly based upon the shape of the anterior coxae. These analyses as well provide an idea of possible phylogenetic relationships among the species. A key to all currently known species of the subgenus Lurchibates is given. So far the subgenus is restricted to SE-Asia, a map showing the distribution of all species is presented.

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators insects involved in the maintenance of natural ecosystems and food production. Bombus pauloensis is a widely distributed species in South America, that recently began to be managed and commercialized in this region. The movement of colonies within or between countries may favor the dissemination of parasites and pathogens, putting into risk while populations of B. pauloensis and other native species. In this study, wild B. pauloensis queens and workers, and laboratory reared workers were screened for the presence of phoretic mites, internal parasites (microsporidia, protists, nematodes and parasitoids) and RNA viruses (Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute paralysis virus (ABCV) and Sacbrood virus (SBV)). Bumble bee queens showed the highest number of mite species, and it was the only group where Conopidae and S. bombi were detected. In the case of microsporidia, a higher prevalence of N. ceranae was detected in field workers. Finally, the bumble bees presented the four RNA viruses studied for A. mellifera, in proportions similar to those previously reported in this species. Those results highlight the risks of spillover among the different species of pollinators., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

In this study, we conducted a summer sampling of carabid beetles in eastern Australia to identify their associated parasitic mites. Here, we describe three new species of the genus Eutarsopolipus from under the elytra (forewings) of three native carabid species (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Eutarsopolipus paryavae n. sp. (pterostichi group) from Geoscaptus laevissimus Chaudoir; Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (leytei group) from Gnathaphanus pulcher (Dejean); and Eutarsopolipus chlaenii n. sp. (myzus group) from Chlaenius flaviguttatus Macleay. We further provide an identification key of the world species of pterostichi and leytei species groups as well as closely related species of the myzus group possessing similar characters including short cheliceral stylets. The significant diversity of Eutarsopolipus recovered here suggests that the current knowledge about Australian podapolipid mites (specially Eutarsopolipus) is still in its infancy and deserves further study., (© A. Katlav et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2021.)

Key Message: Defence responses of cyst nematode and/or wheat curl mite infested barley engage the altered reactive oxygen species production, antioxidant machinery, carbon dioxide assimilation and photosynthesis efficiency. The primary aim of this study was to determine how barley responds to two pests infesting separately or at once; thus barley was inoculated with Heterodera filipjevi (Madzhidov) Stelter (cereal cyst nematode; CCN) and Aceria tosichella Keifer (wheat curl mite; WCM). To verify hypothesis about the involvement of redox metabolism and photosynthesis in barley defence responses, biochemical, photosynthesis efficiency and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements as well as transmission electron microscopy were implemented. Inoculation with WCM (apart from or with CCN) brought about a significant suppression in the efficiency of electron transport outside photosystem II reaction centres. This limitation was an effect of diminished pool of rapidly reducing plastoquinone and decreased total electron carriers. Infestation with WCM (apart from or with CCN) also significantly restricted the electron transport on the photosystem I acceptor side, therefore produced reactive oxygen species oxidized lipids in cells of WCM and double infested plants and proteins in cells of WCM-infested plants. The level of hydrogen peroxide was significantly decreased in double infested plants because of glutathione-ascorbate cycle involvement. The inhibition of nitrosoglutathione reductase promoted the accumulation of S-nitrosoglutathione increasing antioxidant capacity in cells of double infested plants. Moreover, enhanced arginase activity in WCM-infested plants could stimulate synthesis of polyamines participating in plant antioxidant response. Infestation with WCM (apart from or with CCN) significantly reduced the efficiency of carbon dioxide assimilation by barley leaves, whereas infection only with CCN expanded photosynthesis efficiency. These were accompanied with the ultrastructural changes in chloroplasts during CCN and WCM infestation.

The eriophyoid mite Aceria massalongoi (Canestrini) was collected from globoid leaf galls on severely injured chaste trees, Vitex agnus-castus L. (Lamiaceae), in Bari and Bernalda (southern Italy), and on the Ionian island Leukade (Greece). Female, male and nymph were described in detail, following the current morphometric descriptive scheme, supplementing older and incomplete descriptions. Molecular characterization of A. massalongoi from Italy and Greece was conducted by amplifying and sequencing the ribosomal ITS, the D2-D3 expansion domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial COI, for the first time. Phylogenetic trees based on the three molecular markers showed congruent results, confirming that Italian and Greek A. massalongoi populations are the same species that cluster together with some intraspecific variability. Galls, ranging from 0.5 to 2.8 mm in diameter, were randomly distributed on both leaf surfaces, and protruded ca. 1 mm from the leaf surface. Sometimes they were closely aggregated on midrib and leaves, which, consequently, appeared strongly deformed. Close-up observations revealed that gall induction causes hyperplastic proliferation of leaf tissues around the gall chamber hosting mites. The uniserial cell lining inside this chamber provides the nutritional tissue for the mites. All feeding cells contained one or more (frequently 2-3) hypertrophied nuclei and dense granular cytoplasm.

Detection methods for Demodex musculi were historically unreliable, and testing was rarely performed because its prevalence in laboratory mice was underestimated. Although infestations are unapparent in most mouse strains, D. musculi burdens are higher and clinical signs detected in various immunodeficient strains. The parasite's influence on the immune system of immunocompetent mice is unknown. We characterized mite burden (immunocompetent and immunodeficient strains) and immunologic changes (immunocompetent strains only) in naïve Swiss Webster (SW; outbred), C57BL/6NCrl (B6; Th1 responder), BALB/cAnNCrl (BALB/c; Th2 responder) and NOD. Cg- Prkdc scid Il2rg tm1Wjl /SzJ (NSG; immunodeficient) mice after exposure to Demodex- infested NSG mice. Infested and uninfested age-matched mice of each strain ( n = 5) were euthanized 14, 28, 56, and 112 d after exposure. Mite burden was determined through PCR analysis and skin histopathology; B-cell and CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell counts and activation states (CD25 and CD69) were evaluated by using flow cytometry; CBC counts were performed; and serum IgE levels were measured by ELISA. Mite burden and PCR copy number correlated in NSG mice, which had the highest mite burden, but not in immunocompetent strains. Infested immunocompetent animals developed diffuse alopecia by day 112, and both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice had significantly increased IgE levels. These findings aligned with the skewed Th1 or Th2 immunophenotype of each strain. BALB/c mice mounted the most effective host response, resulting in the lowest mite burden of all immunocompetent strains at 112 d after infestation without treatment. Clinically significant hematologic abnormalities were absent and immunophenotype was unaltered in immunocompetent animals. Topical treat- ment with imidacloprid-moxidectin (weekly for 8 wk) was effective at eradicating mites by early as 7 d after treatment. IgE levels decreased substantially in infested BALB/c mice after treatment. These findings demonstrate a need for D. musculi surveillance in mouse colonies, because the infestation may influence the use of infested mice in select studies.

Cassava green mite [CGM, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar)] is the most destructive dry-season pest in most cassava production areas. The pest is responsible for cassava fresh root yield losses of over 80%. Deployment of CGM resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective and sustainable approach of alleviating such production losses. The purposes of this study were to validate the stability of CGM resistance genes found in previously published results, to identify new genes for CGM resistance in bi-parental mapping population and estimate the heritability of the trait. A total of 109 F1 progeny derived from a cross between CGM resistant parent, TMEB778 and a very susceptible parent, TMEB419 were evaluated under CGM hotspot areas in Nigeria for two cropping seasons. A total of 42,204 SNP markers with MAF ≥ 0.05 were used for single-marker analysis. The most significant QTL (S12_7962234) was identified on the left arm on chromosome 12 which explained high phenotypic variance and harboured significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers conferring resistance to CGM and leaf pubescence (LP). Colocalization of the most significant SNP associated with resistance to CGM and LP on chromosome 12 is possibly an indication of a beneficial pleiotropic effect or are physically linked. These significant SNPs markers were intersected with the gene annotations and 33 unique genes were identified within SNPs at 4 - 8MB on chromosome 12. Among these genes, nine novel candidate genes namely; Manes.12077600, Manes.12G086200, Manes.12G061200, Manes.12G083100, Manes.12G082000, Manes.12G094100, Manes.12G075600, Manes.12G091400 and Manes.12G069300 highly expressed direct link to cassava green mite resistance. Pyramiding the new QTL/genes identified on chromosome 12 in this study with previously discovered loci, such on chromosome 8, will facilitate breeding varieties that are highly resistant CGM., Competing Interests: The authors have declared no competing interests exist.

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Tenuipalpidae), has mainly been registered on palm species (Arecaceae), and its expansion in Brazil has the potential to cause significant negative impact on cultivated as well as native palms. Here, we evaluate the potential of native palms from Northeast Brazil to act as hosts of R. indica. Specifically, we used in situ free-choice and confinement tests, in which sections of palm leaves/leaflets of various species were experimentally infested with R. indica. We tested the following species: Acrocomia aculeata, Acrocomia intumescens, Allagoptera caudescens, Attalea funifera, Attalea oleifera, Bactris acanthocarpa var. acanthocarpa, Bactris ferruginea, Bactris glassmanii, Bactris hirta var. spruceana, Bactris pickelii, Copernicia prunifera, Desmoncus orthacanthos, Desmoncus polyacanthos, Syagrus coronata and Syagrus schizophylla. All of these were compared with the mite's preferred host, the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera. In the free-choice test, both male and female R. indica preferred C. nucifera in comparison to each of the native palms. In the confinement test, we observed significant differences in the survivorship between mites on native palms and those on coconut palms after the second day of infestation. By the fifth day, survivorship of mites on the native palms was almost always significantly lower than on C. nucifera (excepting for C. prunifera). We conclude that, among all the native palms evaluated, only the carnauba palm (C. prunifera) is at risk from R. indica. This result is relevant as this palm is an economically important species in the region.

Rice is one of the most important socioeconomic crops in the world. The tarsonemid mite Steneotarsonemus spinki is one of the most destructive pests for this crop and is restricted to some regions of Asia and America. The aim of this work was to map the risk of S. spinki invasion in rice-growing areas in the world. Presence data of Oryza sativa and S. spinki obtained from the literature and bioclimatic parameters from WorldClim were analyzed in the MaxEnt program to generate suitability indices and distribution maps for each species and for the two species together. High annual mean temperature associated with low temperature annual range were the most important environmental variables for the occurrence of O. sativa and S. spinki, and low rainfall favoring S. spinki. The model indicates that there are climatic conditions for the establishment of S. spinki in important rice-producing regions, such as western and central Africa, Oceania, Asia, and North, Central, and South America. Our results are useful for the efficient establishment of phytosanitary measures to prevent the dispersal of S. spinki to new rice-producing areas.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major source of proteins and one of the most important edible foods for more than three hundred million people in the world. The common bean plants are frequently attacked by spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), leading to a significant decrease in plant growth and economic performance. The use of resistant cultivars and the identification of the genes involved in plant-mite resistance are practical solutions to this problem. Hence, a comprehensive study of the molecular interactions between resistant and susceptible common bean cultivars and spider mite can shed light into the understanding of mechanisms and biological pathways of resistance. In this study, one resistant (Naz) and one susceptible (Akhtar) cultivars were selected for a transcriptome comparison at different time points (0, 1 and 5 days) after spider mite feeding. The comparison of cultivars in different time points revealed several key genes, which showed a change increase in transcript abundance via spider mite infestation. These included genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis process; a conserved MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) regulatory complex; transcription factors (TFs) TT2, TT8, TCP, Cys2/His2-type and C2H2-type zinc finger proteins; the ethylene response factors (ERFs) ERF1 and ERF9; genes related to metabolism of auxin and jasmonic acid (JA); pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and heat shock proteins., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Multiple acaricide resistance in Tetranychus urticae continues to threaten crop production globally, justifying the need to adequately study resistance for sustainable pest management. Most studies on acaricide resistance have focused on the acute contact toxicity of acaricides with little or no information on the behavioral responses elicited after acaricide exposure. Furthermore, the impact of physiological resistance on these behavioral responses remains unknown in most pest species, including T. urticae. We tested the effect of acaricide resistance on contact toxicity, irritancy and repellency of mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor of complex I (MET-I) and mite growth inhibitor (MGI) acaricides on multiple T. urticae strains. We also tested whether acaricides with similar physiological target site/mode of action also elicit similar behavioral effects on T. urticae strains. MET-I acaricides (fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, and pyrabiden) and MGIs (clofentezine, hexythiazox and etoxazole) elicited a dose-dependent irritant and repellent effect on T. urticae. Selection of strains for physiological resistance to these acaricides affected the behavioral response of T. urticae, especially in MET-I resistant strains, that showed reduced irritancy and repellency to MET-I acaricides. Behavioral response also affected the oviposition of T. urticae, where strains generally showed preferential oviposition away from the acaricides. The outcome of this study highlights negative consequences of acaricide resistance that can potentially affect T. urticae management.

Demodex are among the tiniest organisms in Acari and are important mammalian parasites. However, differences in pathogenicity between two human parasites, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, remain unknown. Related genetic studies are limited by RNA extraction difficulties and molecular data deficiencies. In this study, RNA extraction, de novo sequencing, functional annotation, and differential gene expression analyses were performed to compare D. folliculorum and D. brevis. This yielded 67.09 and 65.10 million clean reads, respectively, with similar annotations. Bioinformatics analyses and manual alignments identified 237 coding sequences comprising 48 genes from 29 families, including five important functional classes. Of these, 30 genes from 20 families related to metabolism, motion, detoxification and stress response, and allergic reaction were differentially expressed between the two species. Cathepsin type 1, serine protease inhibitor, arginine kinase, triosephosphate isomerase, muscle-specific protein 20-2, myosin alkaline light chain, troponin C, tropomyosin, and heat shock protein 90 were highly expressed in D. folliculorum, whereas cathepsin type 2, aspartic protease, serine protease, myosin heavy chain type 2, and alpha tubulin type 1C were highly expressed in D. brevis. Verified coding sequences were nearly consistent with unigene clusters. Further, absolute quantification results demonstrated that differentially expressed genes followed the predicted expression trend. Therefore, the first RNA sequencing and functional annotation analysis of two Demodex species was successful. Differential expression of important functional genes is likely implicated in pathogenicity disparities between these two species. Our study provides molecular data and technical support for further studies on human Demodex pathogenicity and functional genes.

To observe the clinical changes of meibomian gland dysfunctipn (MGD) and ocular Demodex infestation after intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment to further examine the mechanism of IPL treating patients with MGD and ocular Demodex infestation. The medical records of 25 patients (49 eyes) with MGD treated with IPL, were retrospectively examined to determine outcomes. Associated ocular-surface parameters (ocular surface disease index, OSDI; lipid layer thickness, LLT; noninvasive first breakup time, NIF-BUT; noninvasive average breakup time, NIAvg-BUT; tear film breakup area, TBUA; Schirmer I Test, SIT; corneal fluorescein staining, CFS), eyelid margin abnormalities, meibum quality and expressibility, MG morphological parameters (macrostructure and microstructure), and the number of Demodex infestation were examined before and after treatment. The MG microstructure and the Demodex infestation were examined via in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in associated ocular-surface parameters (all P<0.05) before and after IPL treatment, except SIT (P=0.065). Eyelid margin abnormalities, meibum quality and expressibility obviously improved in upper and lower eyelid after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). MG macrostructure (MG dropouts) decreased in upper (P=0.002) and lower eyelid (P=0.001) after IPL treatment. The nine parameters of MG microstructure in upper and lower eyelid all distinctly improved after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). The mean number of Demodex mites on the upper lid margin (6.59±7.16 to 3.12±3.81/9 eyelashes) and lower lid margin (2.55±2.11 to 1.29±1.53/9 eyelashes) significantly reduced after IPL treatment (all P<0.0001). The Demodex eradication rate was 20% (8/40) in upper lid margin and 34.15% (14/41) in lower lid margin. These findings indicate that IPL shows great therapeutic potential for patients of MGD and ocular Demodex infestation.

Virulence, the negative impact of parasites on their hosts, typically increases with parasite dose. Parasites and hosts often compete for host resources and more parasites will consume more resources. Depending on the mechanism of competition, increasing host resources can benefit the host. Additional resources can also be harmful when the parasites are the main beneficiaries. Then, the parasites will thrive and virulence increases. While parasite dose is often easy to manipulate, it is less trivial to experimentally scale host resources. Here, we study a system with external host resources that can be easily manipulated: Nicrophorus burying beetles reproduce on vertebrate carcasses, with larger carcasses yielding more beetle offspring. Phoretic Poecilochirus mites reproduce alongside the beetles and reduce beetle fitness. The negative effect of mites could be due to competition for the carrion between beetle and mite offspring. We manipulated mite dose and carcass size to better understand the competition between the symbionts. We found that mite dose itself was not a strong predictor of virulence. Instead, the number of mite offspring determined beetle fitness. At larger doses, there was strong competition among adult parental mites as well as mite offspring. While increasing the carcass size increased both host and parasite fitness, it did surprisingly little to alleviate the negative effect that mites had on beetles. Instead, relative virulence was stronger on large carcasses, indicating that the parasites appropriate more of the additional resources. Our results demonstrate an ecological influence on the selection of parasites on their hosts and suggest that virulence can be dose-independent in principle., (Copyright © 2019 Australian Society for Parasitology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the most important managed pollinator globally and has recently experienced unsustainably high colony losses. Synergistic interactions among stressors are believed to be primarily responsible. However, despite clear evidence of strong effect on honeybee longevity of widely-employed neonicotinoid insecticides and of the ubiquitous ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor, no data exist to show synergistic effects between these two stressors. Even though neonicotinoids had no significant impact by themselves, we here show for the first time a synergistic time-lag interaction between mites and neonicotinoids that resulted in significantly reduced survival of long-lived winter honeybees. Even though these mites are potent vectors of viruses, the virus-insecticide interaction had no significant impact. The data suggest a previously overlooked mechanism possibly explaining recent unsustainably high losses of managed A. mellifera honeybee colonies in many regions of the world. Future mitigation efforts should concentrate on developing sustainable agro-ecosystem management schemes that incorporate reduced use of neonicotinoids and sustainable solutions for V. destructor mites.

Both close inbreeding and distant outbreeding may reduce fitness below the level of individuals with intermediate parental relatedness. In the haplodiploid plant-inhabiting predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, which is patchily distributed within and among host plants, fitness is indeed reduced in the short term, i.e. by a single generation of inbreeding. However, in the medium to long term (multiple generations), distant out-breeding should provide for favorable demographic founder effects in isolated populations. We tested this prediction in isolated experimental lineages founded by females mated to a sibling (close inbreeding), a male from the same population (intermediate relatedness) or a male from another population (distant outbreeding) and monitored lineage growth and persistence over four generations. Cross-generationally, lineages founded by distantly outbred females performed the best, i.e. produced the most descendants. However, this was solely due to superior performance from the F2 generation onwards, whereas in the F1 generation, lineages founded by females mated to males from their own population (intermediate relatedness) performed the best, as predicted from short-term in- and out-breeding depression effects. At the genetic level, this result was most likely due to distantly outbred founders introducing higher allelic variability and lower homozygosity levels, counterbalancing inbreeding depression, which inevitably occurs in isolated lineages, from the F2 generation onwards., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Because of its ability to expedite specimen identification and species delineation, the barcode index number (BIN) system presents a powerful tool to characterize hyperdiverse invertebrate groups such as the Acari (mites). However, the congruence between BINs and morphologically recognized species has seen limited testing in this taxon. We therefore apply this method towards the development of a barcode reference library for soil, poultry litter, and nest dwelling mites in the Western Palearctic. Through analysis of over 600 specimens, we provide DNA barcode coverage for 35 described species and 70 molecular taxonomic units (BINs). Nearly 80% of the species were accurately identified through this method, but just 60% perfectly matched (1:1) with BINs. High intraspecific divergences were found in 34% of the species examined and likely reflect cryptic diversity, highlighting the need for revision in these taxa. These findings provide a valuable resource for integrative pest management, but also highlight the importance of integrating morphological and molecular methods for fine-scale taxonomic resolution in poorly-known invertebrate lineages.

The biological control used for the control of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) is the predator mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot). It is important to the know the effects of acaricides on the biological behavior the Abamectin on the functional response of P. persimilis. The functional response of the predator was of type II exposed to concentration of Abamectin, the functional response parameters: successful attack rate (a'), handling time (Th), search efficiency and the maximum predation theory (T/Th) were affected by the acaricide. The predator spends more time in persecute, dominate, consume and prepair it self to the next searching comparing with the proof subject an the predation ability was affected.

Some of the most important wildlife diseases involve environmental transmission, with disease control attempted via treatments that induce temporary pathogen resistance among hosts. However, theoretical explanations of such circumstances remain few. A mathematical model is proposed and investigated to analyse the dynamics and treatment of environmentally transmitted sarcoptic mange in a population of bare-nosed wombats. The wombat population is structured into four classes representing stages of infection, in a model that consists of five non-linear differential equations including the unattached mite population. It is shown that four different epidemiological outcomes are possible. These are: (1) extinction of wombats (and mites); (2) mite-free wombat populations; (3) endemic wombats and mites coexisting, with the wombats' population reduced below the environmental carrying capacity; and (4) a stable limit cycle (sustained oscillating populations) with wombat population far below carrying capacity. Empirical evidence exists for the first two of these outcomes, with the third highly likely to occur in nature, and the fourth plausible at least until wombat populations succumb to Allee effects. These potential outcomes are examined to inform treatment programs for wombat populations. Through this theoretical exploration of a relatively well understood empirical system, this study supports general learning across environmentally transmitted wildlife pathogens, increasing understanding of how pathogen dynamics may cause crashes in some populations and not others., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the study was to study the frequency of detection and population density of the mite in rosacea patients depending on the clinical form, the location of the morphological elements on the face and some parameters of the functional state of the skin. We observed 55 patients (38 women and 17 men) aged from 30 to 65 years old with disease duration from 6 months to 10 years. According to clinical forms, 35 had PPR and 20 - ETR (erythematous - telangiectatic rosacea). By location of the rash elements, the following types are distinguished: central, medial, asymmetric, lateral, and total. The mite was identified by a microscopic method. The functions of the skin barrier of the face skin: moisture, oiliness, dryness were determined using a bio-impedance analyzer (BIA). As shown by the results of the study of the above parameters in the observed patients, a high density of the mite population (> 5 per cm2) was noted in cases of total, medial and central type of their location. This indicator was in direct correlation with parameters such as skin fat content and moisture. 75% of patients in this group were diagnosed with PPR. In the group of patients with medium and low population density of mites (<5 per cm2), the lateral, asymmetric and central type of their location were dominated in 65% ​​of patients with ETNR. This group of patients showed low levels of skin fat and moisture, relatively high rates of dryness. Thus, the population density of the mites is dependent on the intensity of the anatomical location of the sebaceous glands of the face skin. An analysis of the results obtained in the study of the role of mite in the pathogenesis of rosacea led us to the conclusion: in rosacea patients, a correlation was found between the increase in the population density of mites, the type of element arrangement and the severity of dermatosis, which proves the role of the mite as one of the most frequent but not obligatory pathogenetic factors in the development of this dermatosis, especially its papulopustular form.

The high relevance of host-switching for the diversification of highly host-specific symbionts (i.e., those commonly inhabiting a single host species) demands a better understanding of host-switching dynamics at an ecological scale. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to study feather mites on passerine birds in Spain, sequencing mtDNA (COI) for 25,540 individual mites (representing 64 species) from 1,130 birds (representing 71 species). Surprisingly, 1,228 (4.8%) mites from 84 (7.4%) birds were found on host species that were not the expected to be a host according to a recent bird-feather mite associations catalog. Unexpected associations were widespread across studied mite (40.6%) and bird (43.7%) species and showed smaller average infrapopulation sizes than typical associations. Unexpected mite species colonized hosts being distantly related to the set of their usual hosts, but with similar body size. The network of bird-mite associations was modular (i.e., some groups of bird and mite species tended to be more associated with each other than with the others), with 75.9% of the unexpected associations appearing within the module of the typical hosts of the mite species. Lastly, 68.4% of mite species found on unexpected hosts showed signatures of genetic differentiation, and we found evidence for reproduction or the potential for it in many of the unexpected associations. Results show host colonization as a common phenomenon even for these putatively highly host-specific symbionts. Thus, host-switching by feather mites, rather than a rare phenomenon, appears as a relatively frequent phenomenon shaped by ecological filters such as host morphology and is revealed as a fundamental component for a dynamic coevolutionary and codiversification scenario., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Parasites and other symbionts are crucial components of ecosystems, regulating host populations and supporting food webs. However, most symbiont systems, especially those involving commensals and mutualists, are relatively poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the nature of the symbiotic relationship between birds and their most abundant and diverse ectosymbionts: the vane-dwelling feather mites. For this purpose, we studied the diet of feather mites using two complementary methods. First, we used light microscopy to examine the gut contents of 1,300 individual feather mites representing 100 mite genera (18 families) from 190 bird species belonging to 72 families and 19 orders. Second, we used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and DNA metabarcoding to determine gut contents from 1,833 individual mites of 18 species inhabiting 18 bird species. Results showed fungi and potentially bacteria as the main food resources for feather mites (apart from potential bird uropygial gland oil). Diatoms and plant matter appeared as rare food resources for feather mites. Importantly, we did not find any evidence of feather mites feeding upon bird resources (e.g., blood, skin) other than potentially uropygial gland oil. In addition, we found a high prevalence of both keratinophilic and pathogenic fungal taxa in the feather mite species examined. Altogether, our results shed light on the long-standing question of the nature of the relationship between birds and their vane-dwelling feather mites, supporting previous evidence for a commensalistic-mutualistic role of feather mites, which are revealed as likely fungivore-microbivore-detritivore symbionts of bird feathers., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Studies on parasite-mediated selection often focus on single parasite taxa infecting single species of hosts. However, host populations experience infections by multiple parasite taxa simultaneously; coinfection is expected to influence how host- and/or parasite-related factors affect host exposure and susceptibility to various parasites, and the resulting patterns of infection. We sampled adult dragonflies from a population of Leucorrhinia intacta (Hagen) in eastern Ontario, Canada. Dragonflies were exposed to parasitism by both water mites (Arrenuridae) and gregarines (Eugregarinidae). We tested for covariation between these ecto- and endoparasites, while considering potential sex and age biases in host sampling and patterns of infection. Mite parasitism differed dramatically between host sexes: nearly all collected males were parasitized, whereas only half of females were infested. This was likely due to differences in age distributions between sexes in sampled dragonflies. Water mite and gregarine parasitism showed strong, negative covariation, and coinfection occurred far less often than expected by chance, although these patterns were restricted to samples of females which, unlike male samples, likely included many old and young dragonflies. We report the first observation of negative covariation between internal and external parasite taxa in an anisopteran host and suggest this relationship between water mites and gregarines may be more widespread among Odonata and perhaps other insects than previously surmised. We advance hypotheses based on host age-parasitism relationships as well as variable parasite-mediated selection to help explain the sex specificity of observed coinfection patterns in our samples.

Tomato plants are attacked by diverse herbivorous arthropods, including by cell-content-feeding mites, such as the extreme generalist Tetranychus urticae and specialists like Tetranychus evansi and Aculops lycopersici . Mite feeding induces plant defense responses that reduce mite performance. However, T. evansi and A. lycopersici suppress plant defenses via poorly understood mechanisms and, consequently, maintain a high performance on tomato. On a shared host, T. urticae can be facilitated by either of the specialist mites, likely due to the suppression of plant defenses. To better understand defense suppression and indirect plant-mediated interactions between herbivorous mites, we used gene-expression microarrays to analyze the transcriptomic changes in tomato after attack by either a single mite species ( T. urticae , T. evansi , A. lycopersici ) or two species simultaneously ( T. urticae plus T. evansi or T. urticae plus A. lycopersici ). Additionally, we assessed mite-induced changes in defense-associated phytohormones using LC-MS/MS. Compared to non-infested controls, jasmonates (JAs) and salicylate (SA) accumulated to higher amounts upon all mite-infestation treatments, but the response was attenuated after single infestations with defense-suppressors. Strikingly, whereas 8 to 10% of tomato genes were differentially expressed upon single infestations with T. urticae or A. lycopersici , respectively, only 0.1% was altered in T. evansi -infested plants. Transcriptome analysis of dual-infested leaves revealed that A. lycopersici primarily suppressed T. urticae -induced JA defenses, while T. evansi dampened T. urticae -triggered host responses on a transcriptome-wide scale. The latter suggests that T. evansi not solely down-regulates plant gene expression, but rather directs it back towards housekeeping levels. Our results provide valuable new insights into the mechanisms underlying host defense suppression and the plant-mediated facilitation of competing herbivores.

The avian mite Dermanyssus gallinae (poultry red mite, PRM) is of major economic and veterinary importance for the poultry and egg industry worldwide. The accumulating reports on the opportunistic nonavian feeding of D. gallinae raise concerns on PRM host expansion. However, the consequent threats to human health remain largely unclear. PRM infestation in humans is usually manifested as a local or generalized noncharacteristic skin reaction referred to as gamasoidosis. This report presents the current state of the art and the new developments on PRM-associated dermatitis, sharing neither the authors' personal experience nor focusing on differential diagnosis. Specifically, it reflects the outcome of the critical assessment of the available literature by European medical and veterinary experts in the field under the "One Health" approach., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We apply SE-optimal design methodology to investigate optimal data collection procedures as a first step in investigating information content in ecoinformatics data sets. To illustrate ideas we use a simple phenomenological citrus red mite population model for pest dynamics. First the optimal sampling distributions for a varying number of data points are determined. We then analyze these optimal distributions by comparing the standard errors of parameter estimates corresponding to each distribution. This allows us to investigate how many data are required to have confidence in model parameter estimates in order to employ dynamical modeling to infer population dynamics. Our results suggest that a field researcher should collect at least 12 data points at the optimal times. Data collected according to this procedure along with dynamical modeling will allow us to estimate population dynamics from presence/absence-based data sets through the development of a scaling relationship. These Likert-type data sets are commonly collected by agricultural pest management consultants and are increasingly being used in ecoinformatics studies. By applying mathematical modeling with the relationship scale from the new data, we can then explore important integrated pest management questions using past and future presence/absence data sets.

Background: Papulopustular rosacea and rosacea-like demodicosis have numerous similarities, but they are generally considered as two distinct entities, mainly because the causal role of the Demodex mite in the development of rosacea is not yet widely accepted. Several clinical characteristics are traditionally considered to differentiate the two conditions; for example, papulopustular rosacea is typically characterized by central facial papulopustules and persistent erythema, whereas small superficial papulopustules and follicular scales rather suggest rosacea-like demodicosis. However, none of these characteristics is exclusive to either entity., Objective: To explore differences in Demodex densities according to clinical characteristics traditionally associated with these two conditions., Methods: Retrospective, observational, case-control study of 242 patients with central face papulopustules. Demodex densities were measured on two consecutive standardized skin surface biopsies., Results: In the whole cohort, Demodex densities were greater in patients with persistent erythema than in those without. In 132 patients without recent treatment or other facial dermatoses, 120 (91%) had persistent erythema, 119 (90%) small superficial papulopustules and 124 (94%) follicular scales; 116 (88%) simultaneously had clinical characteristics traditionally associated with both papulopustular rosacea and rosacea-like demodicosis. Higher Demodex densities were linked to the presence of follicular scales, but not to papulopustules size, nor to the presence/absence of persistent erythema., Conclusion: Our observations highlight the difficulty differentiating between these entities and suggest that rosacea-like demodicosis and papulopustular rosacea should no longer be considered as two separate entities, but rather as two phenotypes of the same disease., (© 2018 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Plant⁻pest relationships involve complex processes encompassing a network of molecules, signals, and regulators for overcoming defenses they develop against each other. Phytophagous arthropods identify plants mainly as a source of food. In turn, plants develop a variety of strategies to avoid damage and survive. The success of plant defenses depends on rapid and specific recognition of the phytophagous threat. Subsequently, plants trigger a cascade of short-term responses that eventually result in the production of a wide range of compounds with defense properties. This review deals with the main features involved in the interaction between plants and phytophagous insects and acari, focusing on early responses from the plant side. A general landscape of the diverse strategies employed by plants within the first hours after pest perception to block the capability of phytophagous insects to develop mechanisms of resistance is presented, with the potential of providing alternatives for pest control.

Proctophyllodes huitzilopochtlii Atyeo & Braasch 1966 (Acariformes: Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae), a feather mite, was found on feathers collected from five hummingbird species in California. This mite has not been previously documented on feathers from Anna's (Calypte anna [Lesson 1829]) or Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri [Bourcier & Mulsant 1846]) Hummingbirds. A total of 753 hummingbirds were evaluated for the presence of mites by species (Allen's n = 112; Anna's n = 500; Black-chinned n = 122; Rufous n = 18; Calliope n = 1), sex (males n = 421; females n = 329; 3 unidentified), and age (juvenile n = 199; after-hatch-year n = 549; 5 unidentified). Of these 753 hummingbirds evaluated, mites were present on the rectrices of 40.9% of the birds. Significantly more Anna's Hummingbirds were positive for rectricial mites (59.2%) compared with 8.2% of Black-chinned, 0.9% of Allen's, 5.6% of Rufous Hummingbirds, and 0% for Calliope (p-value < 0.0001). Across all hummingbird species, male hummingbirds (44.9%) had a higher prevalence of rectricial mites compared to female hummingbirds (36.2%; p-value = 0.004), while juvenile hummingbirds (46.2%) had a non-significantly higher prevalence compared to after-hatch-year hummingbirds (39.0%; p-value = 0.089). On average, the percentage of the long axis of the rachis occupied by mites for the outer rectrices (R4 and R5) was 19%, compared to 11% for inner rectrices (R1 and R2), a significant difference (p-value = <0.0001). There was a marginal lack of significance for symmetrical distribution of tail mites with the mean left side percentage of long axis of the rachis occupied by mites being 16% and very close to the mean right side score of 18% (p-value = 0.003). The identification of the feather mite species was based on light microscopic morphometry, and mite distribution on feathers was further evaluated using tabletop scanning electron microscopy (TSEM). The hummingbird-feather mite relationship is not well understood, but the specialized TSEM technique may be especially useful in examining natural positioning and developmental aspects of the mites since it allows in situ feather examination of live mites.

Background: Background: Demodex mites are acari that reside in the pilosebaceous unit of the skin and have been associated with skin disorders., Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) mites in polycystic ovary syndrome patients as well as to examine the relationship between Demodex infestation and the presence of acne and oily or dry skin types in polycystic ovary syndrome patients., Methods: 41 polycystic ovary syndrome patients and 47 non-polycystic ovary syndrome control subjects were enrolled in the study. polycystic ovary syndrome was diagnosed according to the revised 2003 ESHRE/ASRM polycystic ovary syndrome Consensus Workshop Group diagnostic criteria. Microscopic examination of D. folliculorum mites was carried out by standardized skin surface biopsy. The result was considered positive when there were more than 5 mites per cm2., Results: D. folliculorum was positive in 53.7% of the polycystic ovary syndrome patients and 31.9% of the non-polycystic ovary syndrome group (p=0.052). Demodex positivity was significantly associated with acne (p=0.003) and oily skin (p=0.005) in the polycystic ovary syndrome patients but not in the controls., Study Limitation: Our study is limited by the relatively small number of subjects and the observational nature of the study design., Conclusion: Demodex mites might have a role in acne pathogenesis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Anti-Demodex treatment may increase the response to treatment of acne. Further studies are indicated.

When feeding from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the generalist spider mite Tetranychus urticae induces jasmonate (JA)- and salicylate (SA)-regulated defense responses that hamper its performance. The related T. evansi, a Solanaceae-specialist, suppresses these defenses, thereby upholding a high performance. On a shared leaf, T. urticae can be facilitated by T. evansi, likely via suppression of defenses by the latter. Yet, when infesting the same plant, T. evansi outcompetes T. urticae. Recently, we found that T. evansi intensifies suppression of defenses locally, i.e., at its feeding site, after T. urticae mites were introduced onto adjacent leaf tissue. This hyper-suppression is paralleled by an increased oviposition rate of T. evansi, probably promoting its competitive population growth. Here we present additional data that not only provide insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics of defense induction and suppression by mites, but that also suggest T. evansi to manipulate more than JA and SA defenses alone.

Inferring cophylogeographic events requires matching the timing of these events on both host and symbiont (e.g., parasites) phylogenies because divergences of hosts and their symbionts may not temporally coincide, and host switches may occur. We investigate a large radiation of birds (Passeriformes) and their permanent symbionts, the proctophyllodid feather mites (117 species from 116 bird species; six genes, 11,468 nt aligned) using two time-calibration strategies for mites: fossils only and host phylogeography only. Out of 10 putative cophylogeographic events 4 agree in timing for both symbiont and host events being synchronous co-origins or codispersals; three were based on host shifts, but agree in timing being very close to the origin of modern hosts; two disagree; and one large basal mite split was seemingly independent from host phylogeography. Among these events was an ancient (21-25.3 Mya), synchronous codispersal from the Old World leading to the origin and diversifications of New World emberizoid passerids and their mites, the thraupis + quadratus species groups of Proctophyllodes. Our framework offers a more robust detection of host and symbiont cophylogeographic events (as compared to host-symbiont reconciliation analysis and using host phylogeography for time-calibration) and provides independent data for testing alternative hypotheses on timing of host diversification and dispersal., (© 2017 The Author(s). Evolution © 2017 The Society for the Study of Evolution.)

Honey bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops. Pathogens and other factors have been implicated in high annual losses of honey bee colonies in North America and some European countries. To further investigate the relationship between multiple factors, including pathogen prevalence and abundance and colony health, we monitored commercially managed migratory honey bee colonies involved in California almond pollination in 2014. At each sampling event, honey bee colony health was assessed, using colony population size as a proxy for health, and the prevalence and abundance of seven honey bee pathogens was evaluated using PCR and quantitative PCR, respectively. In this sample cohort, pathogen prevalence and abundance did not correlate with colony health, but did correlate with the date of sampling. In general, pathogen prevalence (i.e., the number of specific pathogens harbored within a colony) was lower early in the year (January-March) and was greater in the summer, with peak prevalence occurring in June. Pathogen abundance in individual honey bee colonies varied throughout the year and was strongly associated with the sampling date, and was influenced by beekeeping operation, colony health, and mite infestation level. Together, data from this and other observational cohort studies that monitor individual honey bee colonies and precisely account for sampling date (i.e., day of year) will lead to a better understanding of the influence of pathogens on colony mortality and the effects of other factors on these associations.

Atopic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in airways resulting from genetic and environmental factors, characterized by production of the Th2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). Interleukin-33 (IL-33) appears to be a potent inducer of Th2 immune response. This occurs when IL-33 binds and activates its receptor, the membrane ST2 (ST2L) in mast cells, dendritic cells, basophils, eosinophils, innate lymphoids and Th2 cells, leading to the release of these cytokines and intensifying allergic inflammation. Polymorphisms in the IL33 and IL1RL1 can act as protective or risk factors for asthma and/or allergy in humans. No study was conducted to replicate such findings in a European and African descendent mixed population. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood from 1223 subjects, and the samples were genotyped using Illumina 2.5 Human Omni Beadchip. We tested for possible associations between SNPs in the IL33 and ST2 with asthma and allergy markers such as specific IgE (sIgE), IL-5 and IL-13 production and skin prick test (SPT). Logistics regressions were performed using PLINK software 1.07. The analyses were adjusted for sex, age, helminth infection and ancestry markers. The G allele of IL33 SNP rs12551256 was negatively associated with asthma (OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.94, P = 0.017). In contrast, the A allele of IL1RL1 rs1041973 was positively associated with IL-5 production (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09-1.84, P = 0.044), sIgE levels (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.07-1.84, P = 0.013) and positive SPT (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.08-2.03, P = 0.014), for Blomia tropicalis mite. The same allele, in atopic subjects, was associated with decreased production of soluble ST2 (sST2) (P < 0.05). Moreover, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis suggests that rs1041973 and rs873022 regulate the expression of IL1RL1 gene. This latest SNP, rs873022, the T allele, was also associated with a lower production of sST2 in plasma of Brazilians. The genetic risk score for rs1041973 and rs16924161 demonstrated a higher risk for SPT positivity against B. tropicalis, the greater the number of risk alleles for both SNPs. Our findings demonstrate a robust association of genetic variants in IL1RL1 and IL33 SNPs with allergy markers and asthma., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This investigation was conducted in three provinces of southern Vietnam in September-October 2011. A total of 257 small mammals of 11 species were caught; among them 120 rodents were infected with harvest mites of 8 species (Trom- biculidac). About 4000 mites of nearly 1200 identified species were collected from the small mammals. 17 species of harvest mites were identified. Walchia lupella, Leptotrombidium deliense, Walchia kritochaeta, and Walchia micropelta predominated in the collections. Most species of mites parasitized Rattus rattus (n= 15), Maxomys surifer (n=9), and B.savilei (n=7). The occurrence of Trombiculidaewas high on Bandicota savilei (90.0%), M.sunfer (87.8%), R.rattus (80.9%), and Bandicota indica (71.4%). The largest number of mites was observed in B.savilei and B.indica. The species of the genus Ascoschoengastia parasitized predominantly R.rattus and those of the genus Wachia did M.surifer. W.upella (n=7), L.delense (n=5), and Ascoschoengastiaindica (n=5) were associated with the widest range of nourishers. The species L.delicense known as a carrier of the causative agent of tsutsugamushi fever predominated in synanthropic rodents.

Solid organ transplant recipients have an increased incidence of skin infections resulting from immunosuppression. Common pathogens include herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, Gram-positive bacteria and dermatophytes; however, the contribution of multicellular parasitic organisms to dermatologic disease in this population remains less studied. Demodex folliculorum and brevis are commensal mites that reside on human skin. Proliferation of Demodex mites, or demodicosis, is associated with rosacea and rosacea-like disorders, particularly in immunocompromised populations, although their ability to cause disease is still the subject of debate. We present a case series of four renal transplant recipients with the singular chief complaint of acne rosacea who we diagnosed with demodicosis. Although one of the four patients showed complete resolution following initial antiparasitic therapy, the other three required subsequent antibacterial treatment to fully resolve their lesions. We suggest that demodicosis may be more prevalent than once thought in solid organ transplant recipients and showed that Demodex-associated acne rosacea can be effectively treated in this population., (© Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)

Demodex musculi, a prostigmatid mite that has been reported infrequently in laboratory mice, has been identified with increasing frequency in contemporary colonies of immunodeficient mice. Here we describe 2 episodes of D. musculi infestation with associated clinical signs in various genetically engineered mouse strains, as well as treatment strategies and an investigation into transmissibility and host susceptibility. The first case involved D. musculi associated with clinical signs and pathologic lesions in BALB/c-Tg(DO11.10)Il13(tm) mice, which have a defect in type 2 helper T cell (Th2) immunity. Subsequent investigation revealed mite transmission to both parental strains (BALB/c-Tg[DO11.10] and BALB/c-Il13(tm)), BALB/c-Il13/Il4(tm), and wild-type BALB/c. All Tg(DO11.10)Il13(tm) mice remained infested throughout the investigation, and D. musculi were recovered from all strains when they were cohoused with BALB/c-Tg(DO11.10)Il13(tm) index mice. However, only Il13(tm) and Il13/Il4(tm) mice demonstrated persistent infestation after index mice were removed. Only BALB/c-Tg(DO11.10)Il13(tm) showed clinical signs, suggesting that the phenotypic dysfunction of Th2 immunity is sufficient for persistent infestation, whereas clinical disease associated with D. musculi appears to be genotype-specific. This pattern was further exemplified in the second case, which involved NOD.Cg-Prkdc(scid)Il2r(tm1Wjl)/SzJ (NSG) and C;129S4 Rag2(tm1.1Flv) Il2rg(tm1.1Flv)/J mice with varying degrees of blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and facial pruritis. Topical amitraz decreased mite burden but did not eliminate infestation or markedly ameliorate clinical signs. Furthermore, mite burden began to increase by 1 mo posttreatment, suggesting that topical amitraz is an ineffective treatment for D. musculi. These experiences illustrate the need for vigilance regarding opportunistic and uncommon pathogens in rodent colonies, especially among mice with immunologic deficits.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) and ear canal tumors are highly prevalent among federally endangered Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) living on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Since studies began in the 1990s, nearly all foxes examined were found to be infected with ear mites, and ceruminous gland tumors (carcinomas and adenomas) were detected in approximately half of all foxes ≥ 4 years of age. We hypothesized that reduction of ear mite infection would reduce otitis externa and ceruminous gland hyperplasia, a risk factor for tumor development. In this study, we conducted a randomized field trial to assess the impact of acaricide treatment on ear mite prevalence and intensity of infection, otitis externa, ceruminous gland hyperplasia, and mite-specific IgG and IgE antibody levels. Treatment was highly effective at eliminating mites and reducing otitis externa and ceruminous gland hyperplasia, and mite-specific IgG antibody levels were significantly lower among uninfected foxes. Ceruminous gland hyperplasia increased in the chronically infected, untreated foxes during the six month study. Our results provide compelling evidence that acaricide treatment is an effective means of reducing ear mites, and that mite removal in turn reduces ear lesions and mite-specific IgG antibody levels in Santa Catalina Island foxes. This study has advanced our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis which results in ceruminous gland tumors, and has helped inform management decisions that impact species conservation.

In this study, we examined the prevalence, pathology, and epidemiology of tumors in free-ranging island foxes occurring on three islands in the California Channel Islands, USA. We found a remarkably high prevalence of ceruminous gland tumors in endangered foxes (Urocyon littoralis catalinae) occurring on Santa Catalina Island (SCA)--48.9% of the dead foxes examined from 2001-2008 had tumors in their ears, and tumors were found in 52.2% of randomly-selected mature (≥ 4 years) foxes captured in 2007-2008, representing one of the highest prevalences of tumors ever documented in a wildlife population. In contrast, no tumors were detected in foxes from San Nicolas Island or San Clemente Island, although ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), a predisposing factor for ceruminous gland tumors in dogs and cats, were highly prevalent on all three islands. On SCA, otitis externa secondary to ear mite infection was highly correlated with ceruminous gland hyperplasia (CGH), and tumors were significantly associated with the severity of CGH, ceruminous gland dysplasia, and age group (older foxes). We propose a conceptual model for the formation of ceruminous gland tumors in foxes on SCA that is based on persistent, ubiquitous infection with ear mites, and an innate, over exuberant inflammatory and hyperplastic response of SCA foxes to these mites. Foxes on SCA are now opportunistically treated with acaricides in an attempt to reduce mite infections and the morbidity and mortality associated with this highly prevalent tumor.

Forty-six chiropteran specimens from seven species have been captured on the territory of Southern Siberia. From them, 676 ectoparasites of 16 species (gamasid mites and insects) were collected. The bat fly Basilia mongolensis mongolensis Theodor, 1966 was found in Russia for the first time. The gamasid mites Spinturnix maedai Uchikawa et Wada, 1979 and Macronyssus hosonoi Uchikawa, 1979 have not previously been registered in Siberia. Several species have been recorded on new hosts. Three species of gamasid mites out of the genus Macronyssus are, probably, new to science. New data on the ecology of low-abundant and understudied bat species belonging to the Siberian-Far Eastern complex have been provided.

A 61-year-old white man presented with a 1-week history of an asymptomatic erythematous, annular plaque with minimal scale limited to the nasal bridge. Histological examination showed a mixed infiltrate of lymphocytes and neutrophils within sebaceous glands. The clinical and histopathological presentation was consistent with a diagnosis of neutrophilic sebaceous adenitis. Several Demodex brevis mites were present deep within the affected sebaceous lobules. Demodex brevis mites are uncommon inhabitants of sebaceous glands of the nose, presenting more commonly on other body sites. The cause of neutrophilic sebaceous adenitis is unknown, but the presence of D. brevis in affected sebaceous glands in this case suggests a possible association.

Objective: To examine the possible associations between Demodex folliculorum and a number of skin diseases., Methods: Standardized skin surface biopsy samples were obtained from the cheeks of 144 patients with histopathologically proven basal cell carcinoma (BCC, n = 27), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n = 28), melanoma (n = 23), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE, n = 32), and rosacea (n = 34). Thirty-four sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Mite density (per cm2) and infestation (density ≥ 5) were compared between the controls and patients., Results: Mite infestation rates (%) did not differ significantly between the controls (20.6) and patients with BCC (22.2, p = 0.88), SCC (17.9, p = 0.79), melanoma (4.3, p = 0.08), and DLE (21.9, p = 0.90). Compared with the controls, the mite infestation rate was significantly higher in patients with rosacea (47.1, p = 0.02, odds ratio: 3.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-9.99). The mean mite density did not differ significantly between the controls (4.11 ± 2.17) and patients with BCC (5.34 ± 2.35, p = 0.75), SCC (3.57 ± 2.01, p = 0.38), and DLE (3.56 ± 1.34, p = 0.83), whereas it was significantly higher in patients with rosacea (8.78 ± 3.58, p = 0.02) and lower in patients with melanoma (1.89 ± 0.69, p = 0.02)., Conclusions: D. folliculorum may be associated with rosacea and melanoma but not with BCC, SCC, or DLE.

There are an estimated 0.5-1 million mite species on earth. Among the many mites that are known to affect humans and animals, only a subset are parasitic but these can cause significant disease. We aim here to provide an overview of the most recent work in this field in order to identify common biological features of these parasites and to inform common strategies for future research. There is a critical need for diagnostic tools to allow for better surveillance and for drugs tailored specifically to the respective parasites. Multi-'omics' approaches represent a logical and timely strategy to identify the appropriate mite molecules. Recent advances in sequencing technology enable us to generate de novo genome sequence data, even from limited DNA resources. Consequently, the field of mite genomics has recently emerged and will now rapidly expand, which is a particular advantage for parasitic mites that cannot be cultured in vitro. Investigations of the microbiota associated with mites will elucidate the link between parasites and pathogens, and define the role of the mite in transmission and pathogenesis. The databases generated will provide the crucial knowledge essential to design novel diagnostic tools, control measures, prophylaxes, drugs and immunotherapies against the mites and associated secondary infections., (Copyright © 2014 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Understanding why host species differ so much in symbiont loads and how this depends on ecological host and symbiont traits is a major issue in the ecology of symbiosis. A first step in this inquiry is to know whether observed differences among host species are species-specific traits or more related with host-symbiont environmental conditions. Here we analysed the repeatability (R) of the intensity and the prevalence of feather mites to partition within- and among-host species variance components. We compiled the largest dataset so far available: 119 Paleartic passerine bird species, 75,944 individual birds, ca. 1.8 million mites, seven countries, 23 study years. Several analyses and approaches were made to estimate R and adjusted repeatability (R(adj)) after controlling for potential confounding factors (breeding period, weather, habitat, spatial autocorrelation and researcher identity). The prevalence of feather mites was moderately repeatable (R = 0.26-0.53; R(adj) = 0.32-0.57); smaller values were found for intensity (R = 0.19-0.30; R(adj )= 0.18-0.30). These moderate repeatabilities show that prevalence and intensity of feather mites differ among species, but also that the high variation within species leads to considerable overlap among bird species. Differences in the prevalence and intensity of feather mites within bird species were small among habitats, suggesting that local factors are playing a secondary role. However, effects of local climatic conditions were partially observed for intensity.

Functional response estimation and population tracking in predator-prey systems are critical problems in ecology. In this paper we consider a stochastic predator-prey system with a Lotka-Volterra functional response and propose a particle filtering method for: (a) estimating the behavioral parameter representing the rate of effective search per predator in the functional response and (b) forecasting the population biomass using field data. In particular, the proposed technique combines a sequential Monte Carlo sampling scheme for tracking the time-varying biomass with the analytical integration of the unknown behavioral parameter. In order to assess the performance of the method, we show results for both synthetic and observed data collected in an acarine predator-prey system, namely the pest mite Tetranychus urticae and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis.

Demodex was first identified over 150 years ago, but only recently has it attracted wider interest as a contributor to chronic diseases such as acne rosacea or marginal blepharitis. Demodex is commonly found in the human population, in skin sebaceous glands or follicles. The frequency of Demodex infection increases with age, as it is mainly diagnosed after the age of seventy; however, it can sometimes be found in children and teenagers. Demodex is supposed to contribute to the development of marginal blepharitis or acne rosacea, but the pathogenic mechanisms have not yet been explained in detail. These diseases are chronic and the long-term treatment effects are not satisfactory. This paper presents the characteristics of Demodex as well as its prevalence in the pathogenesis of eye and skin diseases, and describes the diagnostics and treatment of these disorders.

We present a case of blepharitis with symptoms lasting two years in duration and refractory to a host of prior medical treatments, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and baby shampoo. We recognized the clinical presentation as pathogomonic for demodicosis caused by the parasitic mite, demodex folliculorum, confirmed with light microscopy, and treated appropriately with tea tree oil and hygiene measures--achieving full resolution of symptoms. We highlight the presentation, treatment, and underscore demodicosis as an important, under recognized cause of blepharitis.

Unlabelled: Demodex mites are considered commensals of human pilosebaceous units. Their role in skin disease is controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the Demodex infection in patients with characteristic skin lesions and to correlate the level of infestation with epidemiological and clinical features., Material and Methods: we have studied 120 symptomatic patients, diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2012; the detection of mites was realized by microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide preparations from biological samples taken by scraping and squeezing method., Results: The total prevalence rate of infection in our study group was 40.83%. We did not find statistical significant correlation with gender or age or with the type of lesions., Conclusions: Prevalence of Demodex infestation in facial dermatitis is high and its detection must be taken into consideration in routine diagnostic of facial suggestive lesions.

The cat fur mite, Lynxacarus radovskyi Tenorio, 1974 (Acarina: Astigmata: Listrophoridae) is reported from cats, Felis catus from three sites in peninsular Malaysia. The first site is a Malay village, Kampong Menteri in Taiping, Perak, where the mites were found on local pet cats. The other two sites are urban cities of Kuala Lumpur, in the Federal Territory and Georgetown, in the island of Penang. Mites from the urban areas were collected from stray cats. Although several ectoparasites (fleas, mites, ticks and lice) have been previously reported, L. radovskyi is recorded herein for the first time on cats from peninsular Malaysia.