A gallery of the key characters to ease identification of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Gamasida: Dermanyssidae) to allow differentiation from Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Gamasida: Macronyssidae).

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Abstract

Background Dermanyssus gallinae (poultry red mite) is a major threat for the poultry industry and is of significant interest for public health. Identification of D. gallinae can be difficult for scientists not familiar with mite morphology and terminology especially when trying to use identification keys. Moreover, this species may easily be confused with another dermanyssoid mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (northern fowl mite), which often shares the same hosts and environment. In this study, a series of light and scanning electron micrographs have been used to illustrate the main key characters for identification of D. gallinae and allow its differentiation from O. sylviarum. Results The micrographs used in this study, based on LM and SEM observations, highlight the following important identifying characters of D. gallinae: the prominent shoulders of the dorsal shield and the jagged edges of the shield reticulations, the position of setae j1, s1 and the epigynal pores, and the presence on tibia IV pl of one seta. Additional micrographs highlighting the shape of the dorsal (abruptly narrowed posteriorly) and epigynal (narrowly rounded posteriorly) shields and the chelicera (elongate, with distinct digits) of O. sylviarum enable its differentiation from D.gallinae. Conclusion The photographic support provided here (both LM and SEM pictures) can be considered a practical tool for scientists who are not well acquainted with the morphology of D.gallinae, and who are involved with classical and molecular systematics, veterinary and human health aspects of poultry red mites.

Autore Pugliese

Tutti gli autori

  • A. Di Palma , A. Giangaspero , M.A. Cafiero , G.S. Germinara

Titolo volume/Rivista

PARASITES & VECTORS

Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

1756-3305

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

17

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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