OCCURRENCE OF THE SUBCUTANEOUS MITE,HYPODECTES PROPUS(ACARINA: HYPODERATIDAE), IN THE GREY HERON,ARDEA CINEREA(AVES: CICONIIFORMES) A NEW HOST RECORD IN JAPAN

Abstract

An adult male grey heron, Ardea cinerea (Aves: Ciconiiformes), was rescued in Mikunigaoka 590-0021, Sakai, Osaka, Japan, and euthanized because of severe injury to both legs. At necropsy, a large number of deutonymphs (hypopi) of the hypoderatid mite, Hypodectes propus (Acarina: Hypoderatidae), were found in the subcutis and in the fasciae of the adipose tissue in the pectoral muscle and abdominal regions. The mites were 1.26 mm in length and 0.35 mm in width on average. The present hypopi were identified as H. propus, based on the dimensions of the mite, together with the distinct typical coxal apodemes in the anterior part. The present case reported the subcutaneous mite, H. propus, in the grey heron, A. cinerea, as a new host record in Japan.

Hypodectes propus(Acarina: Hypoderatidae) in a rufous turtle dove,Streptopelia orientalis(Aves: Columbiformes), in Japan

“…Heteromorphic deutonymphs (hypopi) of hypoderatid mites are mostly found in the subcutaneous tissue of a variety of birds worldwide including Ciconiiformes, Pelecaniformes, Strigiformes, and Charadriiformes [4,12,13]. The hypopi act as free-living adult mites in the parasitic nymphal stages, and many have not yet been identified [4,6].…”

“…The hypopi act as free-living adult mites in the parasitic nymphal stages, and many have not yet been identified [4,6]. Incidentally, hypopi are found during necropsy and can be easily seen embedded within the subcutaneous tissue.…”

“…was identified in a crested auklet ( Aethia cristatella ) from Hokkaido Island [11]. Recently, H. propus hypopial nymphs were recovered from a grey heron, Ardea cinerea (Ciconiiformes), in Osaka Prefecture [4]. …”

“…During necropsy, the organs and tissues, including the subcutaneous tissue along the entire length of the body especially at the areas of the breast and abdomen, were carefully examined. Subcutaneous mites were found and subsequently collected, fixed in 70% ethyl alcohol, cleared in lactophenol solution for 1~2 days, and then mounted in Hoyer's medium on microscope slides as previously described [4]. Photographs were taken using a digital camera attached to a stereomicroscope (Olympus DP21 U-CAMD3; Olympus, Japan).…”

“…Heteromorphic deutonymphs (hypopi) of hypoderatid mites were previously identified in Ciconiiformes [4], Strigiformes [12], and Charadriiformes [13]. Hypopi of Hypodectes ( H. ) propus have been found in crowned pigeons, Goura scheepmakeri [2], and eared doves ( Zenaida auriculata ) of the order Columbiformes [7].…”