The diversity and distribution of chigger mites associated with rodents in the South African savanna

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Chigger mites (Trombiculidae) are temporary habitat-specific ectoparasites that often occur on rodents. Little ecological data are available on chiggers associated with rodents in South Africa. The study aims were to (1) record the chigger species associated with rodents in the savanna, (2) assess if chigger species display parasitope preference on the rodent body and (3) compare the distribution of chigger species in natural, agricultural and urban habitats. Rodents (<jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 314) belonging to eight genera were trapped in the savanna biome during 2014 and 2015. Twelve chigger species, of which five are recently described species, were recorded from 161 rodent hosts. The data include three new country locality records. <jats:italic>Microtrombicula mastomyia</jats:italic> was the most prevalent species across sampling seasons and habitat types. Significant parasitope preference was recorded for two species, with the ear, face and tail base some of the preferred attachment sites. Sampling season and habitat type had a significant effect on chigger communities with summer and agricultural habitats recording the highest species richness, while the highest species diversity was recorded in natural habitats. The study contributes to our current knowledge regarding rodent-associated chigger diversity and distribution in South Africa and further highlights the importance of environmental characteristics in shaping chigger communities.</jats:p>

Diversity and distribution of ectoparasite taxa associated with Micaelamys namaquensis (Rodentia: Muridae), an opportunistic commensal rodent species in South Africa

“…In addition, the ear parasitope provides protection against removal by oral grooming (Goff, 1979;Barnard et al, 2015). Similar to previous studies, the tail base was also one of the preferred parasitopes in the present study (Barnard et al, 2015;Matthee et al, 2020). Ticks were present on half of all rodents and were represented by 20 taxa of which 12 were identified to species and 8 to species groups (including unknown species).…”

“…Fagir, personal communication). Microtrombicula mastomyia displayed a similar preference for rodent ears in a recent study conducted in the north-eastern Savanna biome in South Africa (Matthee et al, 2020). The thickness of the host skin may be an important factor as the cheliceral blades that are used for attachment are minute (e.g.…”

High prevalence and low diversity of chigger infestation in small mammals found inBangkok Metropolitanparks

“…Optimal temperature and humidity are important for chigger activity and development, which also determines chigger abundance. In tropical and temperate zones, high chigger diversity tends to be found in warmer or drier conditions comparing to wet or cold season (Chaisiri et al ., 2019; Matthee et al ., 2020).…”

“…prevalence, abundance and species richness) on the maintenance hosts (particularly small mammals) is influenced by host intrinsic factors, e.g. host taxonomy, body weight, maturity, behaviour, exploitation habit, home range and site of attachment on the host body (Frances et al ., 1999; Chaisiri et al ., 2019; Matthee et al ., 2020). Also, extrinsic factors, such as seasonal conditions, geographical distribution, latitudinal gradient, landscape complexity, habitat type, ecotone and degree of human land use, also play significant roles in chigger infestation patterns (Frances et al ., 1999; Kuo et al ., 2015; Moniuszko & Makol, 2016; Peng et al ., 2018; Chaisiri et al ., 2019; Mathee et al ., 2020).…”

A roadmap towards predicting species interaction networks (across space and time)

“…In some cases, within-host assessments of interaction strengths can reveal macro-ecological events, like in the conservatism of micro-habitat use in amphibian hosts by helminths [151]. Even ectoparasites can provide reliable assessments of interaction strength; for example, when rodent hosts are minimally disturbed during capture, fine combing of their fur will result in exhaustive ectoparasites inventories [46,[152][153][154][155]. Parasites have the desirable property of usually remaining intact within their host during the interaction, as opposed to prey items as can be recovered through e.g.…”