Feather mites (Astigmata: Psoroptidia) parasitising the rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta (Montin) (Aves: Galliformes) in Iceland

Syst Parasitol. 2010 Mar;75(3):187-206. doi: 10.1007/s11230-009-9219-1. Epub 2010 Feb 16.

Abstract

Four new species of feather mites are described from the Icelandic rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta islandorum (Faber) in Iceland. These are Metamicrolichus islandicus n. sp., Myialges borealis n. sp. (Epidermoptidae), Strelkoviacarus holoaspis n. sp. (Analgidae) and Tetraolichus lagopi n. sp. (Pterolichidae). This is the first report on feather mites associated with the Icelandic rock ptarmigan. Brief comments on the systematics and biology of corresponding feather mite genera are given. For two species, originally described in Pterolichus Robin, 1868 (Pterolichidae), new combinations are proposed, i.e. Tetraolichus gaudi (Cerný, 1971) n. comb. and T. microdiscus (Trouessart, 1887) n. comb.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology*
  • Feathers / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Galliformes / parasitology*
  • Iceland
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Mite Infestations / parasitology
  • Mite Infestations / veterinary*
  • Mites / anatomy & histology
  • Mites / classification*
  • Mites / physiology