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

Abstract

BackgroundDermanyssus 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.MethodsSpecimens of D. gallinae were collected at poultry farms in the Puglia and performed for light and scanning electron microscopy observations, identification and micrographs. Moreover specimens of O. sylviarum were collected separately macerated and mounted on slides for light microscopy observations, identification and pictures.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionThe 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.

Storage of Beauveria bassiana Conidia Suspension: A Study Exploring the Potential Effects on Conidial iability and Virulence against Dermanyssus gallinae De Geer, 1778 Acari: Dermanyssidae

“…Mites were put in sealed plastic bags and delivered to the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Parasitology and Mycology, University of Bari. After morphological identification as D. gallinae [17,18], adult mites were stored at 22 ± 1°C to be used for the experiment within 24 h of collection.…”

Outbreaks of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari, Mesostigmata) Related Dermatitis in Humans in Public and Private Residences, in Italy (2001-2017): An Expanding Skin Affliction

“…In the remaining outbreaks (6/20) no medical advice was sought. The collected arthropods were identified by IZSPB veterinarian entomologists as Dermanyssus gallinae (Figure 1) according to Varma morphological keys [2] and key characters [3]. After environmental investigation, the PRMs source was identified in pigeon ( infested quarters, led to complete regression of the symptoms.…”

Understanding the biology and control of the poultry red miteDermanyssus gallinae: a review

“…gallinae thrives in environments of high (at least 70%) humidity, whereas it does poorly in arid conditions because it cannot fully retain moisture (Nordenfors et al, 1999) despite being externally protected by an exoskeleton [see Di Palma et al (2012) for detailed diagrams]. A dorsal exoskeleton shield covers the length of the idiosoma (body) and is not gender specific.…”

“…Ventrally, however, females present two separate shields: a genitoventral shield spanning posteriorly from leg pairing II and a smaller, more rounded anal shield. Males possess a single, smaller ventral shield comprised of a seemingly fused joining of the genitoventral and anal shields (Di Palma et al, 2012).…”