Presence of intradermal chigger miteHannemania hylae(Ewing, 1925) (Acari: Leeuwenhoekiidae) in the troglophile frogEleutherodactylus longipes(Anura: Brachycephalidae) at Los Riscos Cave, Querétaro, Mexico

Occurrence of Hannemania sp. (Acariformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) larvae in males of Boana pulchella (Anura: Hylidae) from southern Brazil

“…The results found for Boana pulchella, regarding the level of infestation of Hannemania sp. through the parasitological parameters, differ from other studies, since they usually present higher infestation levels than those of B. pulchella despite similar samplings (Attademo et al, 2012;Díaz-Páez et al, 2016;Espino-del Castillo et al, 2011;Hatano et al, 2007;Jacinto-Maldonado et al, 2016). In Brazil, Hatano et al (2007) studied 49 specimens of Hylodes phyllodes Heyer & Cocroft, 1986 (Hylodidae) and found a prevalence of 87.7% of the sample parasitized by Hannemania sp., with a mean intensity of infestation of 48.2 mites/host.…”

“…In Brazil, Hatano et al (2007) studied 49 specimens of Hylodes phyllodes Heyer & Cocroft, 1986 (Hylodidae) and found a prevalence of 87.7% of the sample parasitized by Hannemania sp., with a mean intensity of infestation of 48.2 mites/host. Espino-del Castillo et al (2011) reported that in Mexico the infestation rates were lower for 47 specimens of Eleutherodactylus longipes (Baird, 1859) (Eleutherodactylidae) examined, 23.4% were parasitized by Hannemania hylae (Ewing, 1925), with a mean intensity of infestation of 7.9 larvae/host. Díaz-Páez et al (2016), working in Chile with few anurans of 3 species, found that 100% of the individuals sampled were parasitized by Hannemania sp., with a mean intensity of infestation of 17.3; 63.2, and 11.62 for Rhinella spinulosa (Wiegmann, 1834) (Bufonidae) (n = 15), Pleurodema bufonina Bell, 1843 (Leptodactylidae) (n = 5), and Pleurodema thaul (Lesson, 1826) (Leptodactylidae) (n = 13), respectively.…”

“…The behavior of the host, particularly their habitat preferences, has been the main characteristic to justify the levels of infestation of the species of Hannemania in anurans. Thus, anurans that live in drier soils tend to have a lower infestation, whereas anurans that predominate near streams or in humid soils tend to have a higher infestation (Attademo et al, 2012;Espino-del Castillo et al, 2011;Hatano et al, 2007). This characteristic can also explain probable differences between gender, from distinct niches occupied by males and females.…”

“…22201/ib.20078706e.2019.90.2845 The mite species belonging to Leeuwenhoekiidae Womersley, 1944 (Acariformes: Prostigmata) have a larval instar (commonly named chiggers) that parasitize several vertebrate groups, while the deutonymphs and the adults are free-living predators, feeding on little arthropods and organic matter in the soil (Converse & Green, 2005;Crossley, 1960;Hyland, 1950). The species of Hannemania have a direct biological cycle (Díaz-Páez et al, 2016) and are commonly found parasitizing amphibians, being reported in frogs and salamanders on the American continent (Espino-del Castillo et al, 2011;Hatano et al, 2007). Some studies suggest that the free instars of these mites find favorable conditions in environments near water, once high humidity levels that are necessary for the survival of the species of Hannemania are obtained (Díaz-Páez et al, 2016;Espinodel Castillo et al, 2011;Hatano et al, 2007;Wohltmann et al, 2006).…”

“…The host body regions most affected by chiggers are the hind limbs, particularly thighs and digits, which are in contact with the soil (Espino-del Castillo et al, 2011;Hatano et al, 2007;Jung et al, 2001;Malone & Paredes-León, 2005). Once in the host, the larvae of Hannemania invade the stratum of the dermis, where they undergo encapsulation (Quinzio & Goldberg, 2015).…”