The monitoring of feather mites (Acari, Astigmata) of the Warbler (Aves: Sylviidae) species in the Kızılırmak delta, Samsun, Turkey

Abstract

Feather mites (Astigmata) are among the most common ectosymbionts that live on birds. The present research was conductedbetween 2010 and 2013 in the Kızılırmak delta Cernek Bird Ringing Station in Samsun, Turkey. Assessments of the taxonomy, collectionmethods, and the periodic host-species relationships of the mites collected were conducted for 591 individuals of 10 bird speciesbelonging to the family Sylviidae captured using mist nets during the bird migration periods. Ten feather mite species were identifiedfrom the families Proctophyllodidae, Analgidae, and Trouesartidae. These species are Strelkoviacarus quadratus (Haller, 1882);Dolichodectes edwardsi (Trouessart, 1885); Proctophyllodes cetti Badek, Mironov, and Dabert, 2008; Proctophyllodes clavatus Fritsch,1961; Proctophyllodes doleophyes Gaud, 1957; Proctophyllodes sylvia Gaud, 1957; Trouessartia bifurcata (Trouessart) 1884; Trouessartiainexpectata Gaud, 1957; and Trouessartia trouessarti Oudemans, 1904. Among these species, Trouessartia bifurcata (Trouessart) 1884is a new record for Turkey. New host records were reported from Turkey for 7 feather mite species. The least damaging method for thebirds is to collect mites directly by using a stereomicroscope and forceps. The maximum number of feather mite species (7) was detectedon Sylvia atricapilla and the minimum (1) on Phylloscopus trochilus. Proctophyllodes clavatus and Proctophyllodes sylvia were the mostcommonly recorded feather mite species.