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Rock lizards of the genus Darevskia are interesting research models due to their asexual reproduction. Ectoparasitic mites and ticks of these lizards are poorly known, despite some of these chelicerates being vector pathogens of humans and wildlife. Here we document and curate previously known data on ectoparasitic Acari of rock lizards and, based on our extensive survey, provide an annotated list of these ectoparasitic arthropods (six tick species, one macronyssid species, and seven chigger species). We also provide new host records (Ixodes ricinus on Darevskia caucasica, D. dryada, D. mixta, and D. szczerbaki; Haemaphysalis sulcata on D. rudis; Odontacarus saxicolis on D. brauneri); and new geographical records (O. saxicolis in Russia and Georgia).

To better understand the distribution and host-parasite relationships, we explored 12 large regions of Russia and recorded new bat fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) for Dagestan, Bashkiria, Mordovia, Khakassia and Buryatia Republics. Also we curate previously known data and registered new host-parasite associations for species belonging to genus Ischnopsyllus (Ischnopsyllus octactenus and I. variabilis ex Pipistrellus pygmaeus, I. intermedius ex Hypsugo savii, I. variabilis ex Myotis dasycneme, I. hexactenus ex Murina hilgendorfi) and species Myodopsylla trisellis. One of the associations we recorded in Altai republic is particularly interesting (Myodopsylla trisellis – Myotis blythii). Further investigation is required to study vector role of bat fleas and the effects of flea parasitism on their natural hosts.

Attempt to Defi ne the Complexes of Bat Ectoparasites in the Boreal Palaearctic Region. Orlova, M. V., Orlov, O. L. — Th e article presents the most complete data on the distribution of ectoparasites in the boreal Palaearctics (gamasid mites of the genera Spinturnix, Macronyssus, and Steatonyssus, bat fl ies of the family Nycteribiidae, fl eas of the family Ischnopsyllidae) and its preferences for the hosts. On the basis of these data as well as the data for the resettlement of bats in Eurasia 30 species of boreal bat ectoparasites combined into three faunal complexes (Transpalaearctic, European-Ural and Siberian-Far East) and two groups (European-Ural species, penetrating to the east and Siberian-Far East, penetrating to the west). Th e boundary between the European-Ural and Siberian-Far East faunal complexes is situated presumably along the Irtysh River. Th e resulting zoning provides a new look at the parasitocenosis of ectoparasites in the taiga zone of the Palaearctics.

The article presents new data on gamasid mites associated with bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) on Kunashiri Island. Three species (Macronyssus charusnurensis, M. granulosus, M. hosonoi) are described for this area for the first time. A description of a new species Spinturnix uchikawai sp. nov., illustrations, and key to species of the genus Spinturnix for the boreal zone of Eastern Palaearctic region are given.