Feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) of captive Psittaciformes in Brazil

Abstract

Feather samples were obtained from the following Psittaciformes birds: Amazona amazonica, Amazona aestiva, Aratinga jandaya, Brotogeris spp., Ara ararauna and Ara chloropterus (total of 37 individuals). These birds were housed at the Wild Animal Screening Center of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil. Four feathers were taken from the following regions: head, back, wings, belly/breast, thighs, and tail/covert. Mites were found on 17 birds (45.94%). Astigmatid mites belonging to the genera Fainalges (Xolalgidae), Chiasmalges (Psoroptoididae) and Tanyaralichus (Pterolichidae) were identified. The highest dominance coefficient was for the mite Fainalges sp. (DC= 96.29). Chiasmalges sp. was obtained only from Ara chloropterus, and Tanyaralichus was found in A. aestiva. The genus Fainalges was obtained from all the species of Psittaciformes studied, except for A. ararauna. In evaluating mite density according to body region, statistical differences were found between the back and wing regions (P= 0.041), back and thighs (P= 0.02), wings and tail (P= 0.002), belly and tail (P= 0.031) and thighs and tail (P= 0.001). The morphological variations observed in Fainalges spp. suggested the existence of three species that probably have not been described yet. This was the first record of the genus Tanyaralichus in Brazil.Keywords: birds, acari, captive RESUMO As amostras de penas foram obtidas das seguintes aves da ordem

Feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) of the Zoobotanical State Park in Teresina, Brazil

“…The studies on feather mites collected from birds kept in captivity are still very scarce in Brazil (Valim et al, 2006;Pereira et al, 2018). We hope to stimulate further studies since valuable results may be obtained from these birds, including confirmation of parasite-host associations, discovery of new species, recollecting of rare species, new records and hosts, information on microhabitats, and also provide a better understanding on epidemiological case studies.…”

Distúrbios nutricionais associados a erros de manejo em Psitaciformes

“…A ordem Psittaciforme é constituída pelas famílias Psitacidae cujas espécies são os periquitos, as maritacas, os papagaios e as araras; família Cacatuidae com as espécies cacatua e calopsita; e alguns autores classificam uma terceira família, a Loridae com espécies de lóris Research, Society and Development, v. 9, n. 10, e9609109130, 2020 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v9i10.9130 e de lorikeets (Pereira et al, 2018). Nesse contexto, elas são consideradas as principais aves mantidas como pet não convencionais no Brasil.…”