Feather mites of Brazil (Acari: Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea)

Feather mites (Acari, Astigmata) associated with birds in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Northeastern Brazil

“…Anisophyllodes candango, described from Elaenia chiriquensis in the Central Brazil (Hernandes et al, 2007), was recorded for the first time also on E. chilensis, confirming its relationship with the subfamily Elaeniinae (Tyrannidae). Diproctophyllodes dielytra is known for its association with Pipridae (Valim et al, 2011), and is herein reported from another bird of this family, Neopelma pallescens. Also from the latter host, Mimicalges neopelmae was recently described (Hernandes, 2013a) based on specimens collected in the present study.…”

“…1800 species), knowledge of feather mite species is inversely proportional to host diversity (Valim et al, 2011). Several recent systematic and taxonomic studies have contributed to knowledge of the Brazilian feather mites (e. g. Valim, 2005, 2006;Valim and Hernandes, 2006Hernandes et al, 2007;Valim et al, 2011;Hernandes, 2012Hernandes, , 2013a.…”

“…1800 species), knowledge of feather mite species is inversely proportional to host diversity (Valim et al, 2011). Several recent systematic and taxonomic studies have contributed to knowledge of the Brazilian feather mites (e. g. Valim, 2005, 2006;Valim and Hernandes, 2006Hernandes et al, 2007;Valim et al, 2011;Hernandes, 2012Hernandes, , 2013a. Among the main studies aimed at identifying and inventorying feather mites in country are those carried on Cerrado areas (wooded grasslands) in the Central Brazil (Kanegae et al, 2008;Enout et al, 2012).…”

The genus Nanopterodectes Mironov, 2009 (Acari, Proctophyllodidae), with descriptions of three new species from antbirds (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae) in Brazil

“…Nanopterodectes belongs to the latter group together with Megalodectes Park & Atyeo, 1971, Afroproterothrix Mironov & Wauthy, 2010, Neodectes Park & Atyeo, 1971, Proterothrix Gaud, 1968, Picipterodectes Mironov, Literak, Hung & Capek, 2012and Vireodectes Mironov, Literak, Hung & Capek, 2012 Although Park & Atyeo (1971) mentioned that the Pterodectinae contained nearly a hundred undescribed species, considerable progress has been made in the study of pterodectines from the Neotropical region (OConnor et al, 2005;Hernandes & Valim, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010Mironov et al, 2008;Mironov & González-Acuña, 2011). However, our current knowledge is still minimal when compared to the expected diversity in the region (Valim et al, 2011). The need for surveys and taxonomic studies which are necessary for revealing a clearer picture of the biodiversity becomes more evident when considering the acarofauna associated with endangered species (Koh et al, 2004).…”

Two new feather mite species (Acari, Pteronyssidae) from the white-barred piculet, Picumnus cirratus (Aves, Piciformes)

“…(modified from Atyeo et al 1987 Valim et al (2011) estimated that the diversity of feather mite fauna in Brazil, which harbours one of the most diverse bird fauna of the world (ca 1 800 bird species, cBro 2011). according to those authors, a bird species would normally host 2-3 feather mite species on average, and in some extreme cases can host more than 25 feather mite species, like the green parakeet, Aratinga holochlora (Sclater) (Pérez 1997).…”