Similarities among ectoparasite fauna of sigmodontine rodents: phylogenetic and geographical influences

SUMMARYPhylogenetic and geographical overlaps in host distributions influence the compositional similarity of ectoparasite fauna in a host–parasite system. In these systems, hosts that are more closely related (phylogenetically) are expected to share more parasitic species than more distantly related hosts. Similarly, hosts sharing a larger geographical distribution overlap are expected to have similar ectoparasites. This study investigated the influence of phylogeny (divergence time) and geographical overlap of some neotropical sigmodontine rodent species on the similarities among their ectoparasite fauna (Mesostigmata and Siphonaptera), using a partial Mantel test. Divergence time was the only significant factor that influenced the similarity among the ectoparasites, when mites and fleas were analysed together. Host species that had diverged more recently displayed ectoparasite fauna that were similar. The similarities of the flea species showed similar results in both separate and joint analyses, but neither phylogenetic nor geographical overlap influenced the similarity in mite species. Fleas were shown to be more host-specific than were mesostigmate mites, probably because of the increased influence of host phylogeny.

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Taxonomic amendments of Southeast Asian newt species of the genera Pachytriton, Paramesotriton and Laotriton (Amphibia, Urodela, Salamandridae) parasitized by water mites of the subgenus Lurchibates (Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae, Hygrobates)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4768.2.11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4768 (2) ◽

pp. 297-300

Author(s):

KANTO NISHIKAWA ◽

TOM GOLDSCHMIDT ◽

SHIMPEI F. HIRUTA ◽

SATOSHI SHIMANO

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Parasite Species ◽

Mite Species ◽

Southeast Asian ◽

Water Mites ◽

Water Mite ◽

Species List ◽

Taxonomic Changes ◽

Initial Description ◽

Host Parasite

Hygrobates salamandrarum Goldschmidt, Gerecke and Alberti, 2002 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) is the first-known water mite parasitizing adult newts. After its description, three further species of newt-parasitizing mites were described and the subgenus Lurchibates Goldschmidt and Fu, 2011 was proposed for the group, now containing four newt-parasitizing mites. Until now, each water mite species parasitizes a different newt species (Table 1), suggesting possible mite-newt co-speciation. In order to test this hypothesis, we need an accurate taxonomy of both of the hosts and parasites. However, the taxonomy of those Asian newt genera known to be parasitized by Lurchibates mites has been substantially revised after the initial description of the H. salamandrarum. To account for these taxonomic changes, we here revise the host-parasite species list and amend the host species name as shown in Table 1.

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Global Studies of the Host-Parasite Relationships between Ectoparasitic Mites of the Family Syringophilidae and Birds of the Order Columbiformes

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11123392 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3392

Author(s):

Katarzyna Kaszewska-Gilas ◽

Jakub Ziemowit Kosicki ◽

Martin Hromada ◽

Maciej Skoracki

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Interaction Network ◽

Mite Species ◽

Bipartite Network ◽

Global Studies ◽

Generic Level ◽

Quill Mites ◽

The Family ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Whole Life Cycle

The quill mites belonging to the family Syringophilidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cheyletoidea) are obligate ectoparasites of birds. They inhabit different types of the quills, where they spend their whole life cycle. In this paper, we conducted a global study of syringophilid mites associated with columbiform birds. We examined 772 pigeon and dove individuals belonging to 112 species (35% world fauna) from all zoogeographical regions (except Madagascan) where Columbiformes occur. We measured the prevalence (IP) and the confidence interval (CI) for all infested host species. IP ranges between 4.2 and 66.7 (CI 0.2–100). We applied a bipartite analysis to determine host–parasite interaction, network indices, and host specificity on species and whole network levels. The Syringophilidae–Columbiformes network was composed of 25 mite species and 65 host species. The bipartite network was characterized by a high network level specialization H2′ = 0.93, high nestedness N = 0.908, connectance C = 0.90, and high modularity Q = 0.83, with 20 modules. Moreover, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the quill mites associated with columbiform birds on the generic level. Analysis shows two distinct clades: Meitingsunes + Psittaciphilus, and Peristerophila + Terratosyringophilus.

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The diversity, distribution and host-parasite associations of trypanosomes in Western Australian wildlife

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009990801 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 136 (11) ◽

pp. 1269-1279 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

S. AVERIS ◽

R. C. A. THOMPSON ◽

A. J. LYMBERY ◽

A. F. WAYNE ◽

K. D. MORRIS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Geographical Distribution ◽

Host Species ◽

18S Rrna ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Parasite Diversity ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Western Australian ◽

Geographical Locations

SUMMARYLittle is known regarding the diversity, distribution or host-parasite associations of Trypanosoma spp. in Australian wildlife. Here we report on an investigation based on divergence of the 18S rRNA gene of trypanosomes isolated from a range of hosts and varied geographical locations. A total of 371 individuals representing 19 species of native animals from 14 different locations were screened. In total, 32 individuals from 9 different species tested positive for the parasite. Phylogenetic analysis revealed considerable parasite diversity with no clear geographical distribution and no evidence of host specificity. In general, it appears that Australian Trypanosoma spp. are widespread, with several genotypes appearing in multiple host species and in varied locations including both mainland areas and offshore islands. Some host species were found to be susceptible to multiple genotypes, but no individuals were infected with more than a single isolate.

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Checklist of the cestode parasites of wild birds of Argentina

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x21000286 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 95 ◽

Author(s):

F.B. Drago ◽

M. Dueñas Díaz ◽

R. Draghi ◽

V. Núñez

Keyword(s):

Geographical Distribution ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Nominal Species ◽

Generic Level ◽

The Family ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Annotated Checklist

Abstract An annotated checklist of the cestode parasites of Argentinean wild birds is presented, as the result of a compilation of parasitological papers published between 1900 and April 2021. This review provides data on hosts, geographical distribution, sites of infection, location of material deposited in helminthological collections, references and taxonomic comments. A host/parasite list is also provided. During this period, 38 papers were published that gather information about 34 cestode nominal species and 11 taxa identified at generic level, belonging to three orders, ten families and 35 genera. The highest number of cestode taxa was recorded in the family Hymenolepididae, with 12 nominal species and two taxa identified at generic level, followed by Dilepididae, with eight nominal species and three taxa identified at generic level. Of the 1042 species of birds reported in Argentina, only 29 (2.8%) were reported as hosts of adult cestodes. The families of birds with the highest number of reported taxa were Laridae and Anatidae, with 20 and 14 taxa, respectively.

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A checklist of bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) of Russia, with new host and geographical records

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4974.3.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4974 (3) ◽

pp. 537-564

Author(s):

M.V. ORLOVA ◽

P.B. KLIMOV ◽

O.L. ORLOV ◽

D.G. SMIRNOV ◽

A.V. ZHIGALIN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Mite Species ◽

Russian Regions ◽

New Host ◽

Extensive Survey ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

The Family ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

Host Parasite

The family Macronyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) comprises mostly obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and some other animals, such as small mammals, reptiles and birds. Here, we document and curate previously known data, and, based on our extensive survey, provide this article of bat-associated macronyssid mites of the Russian Federation. We record a total of 24 mite species belonging to 4 genera (Ichoronyssus, Macronyssus, Steatonyssus, and Cryptonyssus). Twenty-seven new host-parasite associations are reported. In addition, were provide data on five major Russian regions, for which bat-associated mite records were lacking.

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Predicting the potential distribution ofVexillata(Nematoda: Ornithostrongylidae) and its hosts (Mammalia: Rodentia) within America

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x12000612 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 400-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E.A. Martínez-Salazar ◽

T. Escalante ◽

M. Linaje ◽

J. Falcón-Ordaz

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factor ◽

Species Distribution ◽

Host Species ◽

Potential Distribution ◽

Species Distribution Modelling ◽

Distribution Modelling ◽

Distributional Patterns ◽

Suitable Habitats ◽

Temperature Seasonality ◽

Host Parasite

AbstractSpecies distribution modelling has been a powerful tool to explore the potential distribution of parasites in wildlife, being the basis of studies on biogeography.Vexillataspp. are intestinal nematodes found in several species of mammalian hosts, such as rodents (Geomyoidea) and hares (Leporidae) in the Nearctic and northern Neotropical regions. In the present study, we modelled the potential distribution ofVexillataspp. and their hosts, using exclusively species from the Geomyidae and Heteromyidae families, in order to identify their distributional patterns. Bioclimatic and topographic variables were used to identify and predict suitable habitats forVexillataand its hosts. Using these models, we identified that temperature seasonality is a significant environmental factor that influences the distribution of the parasite genus and its host. In particular, the geographical distribution is estimated to be larger than that predicted for its hosts. This suggests that the nematode has the potential to extend its geographical range and also its spectrum of host species. Increasing sample size and geographical coverage will contribute to recommendations for conservation of this host–parasite system.

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The effects of seasonality on host–bat fly ecological networks in a temperate mountain cave

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182016002390 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 144 (5) ◽

pp. 692-697 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

KARINA D. RIVERA-GARCÍA ◽

CÉSAR A. SANDOVAL-RUIZ ◽

ROMEO A. SALDAÑA-VÁZQUEZ ◽

JORGE E. SCHONDUBE

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Host Species ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Ecological Networks ◽

Host Interactions ◽

Bat Flies ◽

Bat Fly ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

Host Parasite

SUMMARYChanges in the specialization of parasite–host interactions will be influenced by variations in host species composition. We evaluated this hypothesis by comparing the composition of bats and bat flies within a roost cave over one annual. Five bat and five bat fly species occupied the cave over the course of the study. Bat species composition was 40% different in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons. Despite the incorporation of three new bat species into the cave during the rainy season, bat fly species composition was not affected by seasonality, since the bats that arrived in the rainy season only contributed one new bat fly species at a low prevalence. Bat–bat fly ecological networks were less specialized in the rainy season compared with the dry–cold and dry–warm seasons because of the increase of host overlap among bat fly species during this season. This study suggests that seasonality promote: (1) differences in host species composition, and (2) a reduction in the specialization of host–parasite ecological networks.

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Persistence of single species of symbionts across multiple closely-related host species

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-54015-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jorge Doña ◽

Carolina Osuna-Mascaró ◽

Kevin P. Johnson ◽

David Serrano ◽

Raül Aymí ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Host Species ◽

Population Genetic ◽

Single Species ◽

Mite Species ◽

Evolutionary Divergence ◽

Species Status ◽

Limited Dispersal ◽

Dispersal Events ◽

Symbiont Species

AbstractSome symbiont species are highly host-specific, inhabiting only one or a very few host species, and typically have limited dispersal abilities. When they do occur on multiple host species, populations of such symbionts are expected to become genetically structured across these different host species, and this may eventually lead to new symbiont species over evolutionary timescales. However, a low number of dispersal events of symbionts between host species across time might be enough to prevent population structure and species divergence. Overall, processes of evolutionary divergence and the species status of most putative multi-host symbiont systems are yet to be investigated. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding data of 6,023 feather mites (a total of 2,225 OTU representative sequences) from 147 infracommunities (i.e., the assemblage consisting of all mites of different species collected from the same bird host individual) to investigate patterns of population genetic structure and species status of three different putative multi-host feather mite species Proctophyllodes macedo Vitzthum, 1922, Proctophyllodes motacillae Gaud, 1953, and Trouessartia jedliczkai (Zimmerman, 1894), each of which inhabits a variable number of different closely related wagtail host species (genus Motacilla). We show that mite populations from different host species represent a single species. This pattern was found in all the mite species, suggesting that each of these species is a multi-host species in which dispersal of mites among host species prevents species divergence. Also, we found evidence of limited evolutionary divergence manifested by a low but significant level of population genetic structure among symbiont populations inhabiting different host species. Our study agrees with previous studies showing a higher than expected colonization opportunities in host-specific symbionts. Indeed, our results support that these dispersal events would allow the persistence of multi-host species even in symbionts with limited dispersal capabilities, though additional factors such as the geographical structure of some bird populations may also play a role.

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A new feather mite species of the genus Neumannella Trouessart, 1916 (Analgoidea, Dermoglyphidae) from the Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens (Temminck, 1815) (Aves, Tinamiformes) with remarks to the evolution of host-parasite associations of the genus

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.2478/s11686-014-0229-z ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jacek Dabert

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Evolutionary History ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Mite Species ◽

Feather Mite ◽

History Of ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Reconciliation Method ◽

A New Species ◽

Mite Family

AbstractNeumannella skorackii, a new species of the feather mite family Dermoglyphidae (Acari, Astigmata) is described from the Red-winged Tinamou Rhynchotus rufescens (Temminck, 1815) (Aves, Tinamiformes) from Paraguay and a key to all known species of the genus is provided. The phylogenetic relationships (MP analysis of 25 morphological characters) between Neumannella species along with the evolutionary history of host-parasite associations revealed by Jungle reconciliation method are reconstructed. Relatively low cospeciation contribution to the recent host-parasite associations is discovered.

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New records of feather mites (Acariformes: Astigmata) from non-passerine birds (Aves) in Brazil

Check List ◽

10.15560/12.6.2000 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Pedroso ◽

Fabio Akashi Hernandes

Keyword(s):

Geographical Distribution ◽

New Records ◽

Mite Species ◽

Species Level ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

New Genera ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Feather Mites ◽

Feather Mite ◽

First Time

We present the results of our investigation of feather mites (Astigmata) associated with non-passerine birds in Brazil. The studied birds were obtained from roadkills, airport accidents, and from capitivity. Most ectoparasites were collected from bird specimens by washing. A total of 51 non-passerine species from 20 families and 15 orders were examined. Of them, 24 species were assessed for feather mites for the first time. In addition, 10 host associations are recorded for the first time in Brazil. A total of 101 feather mite species were recorded, with 26 of them identified to the species level and 75 likely representing undescribed species; among the latter samples, five probably represent new genera. These records allowed the first inference about the host and mite association of many species, as well as the first discussion about the geographical distribution of some feather mite taxa along the host distribution.

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