Mesostigmata mites (Acari: Parasitiformes) associated with birds and their nests from Egypt

Abstract

A survey of gamasid mites (Arachnida: Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with domestic and wild birds in Egypt wasconducted. In total, 16 species within 10 families were collected from 22 bird species. The most abundant species belonged to thegenera Dermanyssus Dugès (Dermanyssidae), Ornithonyssus Sambon, and Steatonyssus Kolenati (both Macronyssidae). Among variousbirds examined, the distribution and occurrence of mites were recorded. Taxonomic remarks about the morphology of the collectedmites are presented to facilitate species discrimination for non-acarologists. Steatonyssus longipes Radovsky & Yunker, 1963, previouslydescribed as a new species from the Egyptian slit-faced bat, Nycteris thebaica Geoffroy (Chiroptera), is first recorded from various birdhosts in Egypt. Among the examined birds, chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus) (Galliformes); palm doves, Streoptopeliasenigalensis aegyptiacus (Linnaeus); domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica Gmelin (both Columbiformes); and house sparrows,Passer domesticus niloticus, were the highly mite-infested birds. Commonly, mites were observed under the wings, around the ventregion, in the breast area, and around the head and neck. The present study showed that Egyptian birds harbor various species ofectoparasitic mites, with chickens having more diversity, and macronyssid and dermanyssid mites are the most abundant.