Demodex tortellinioides n. sp. (Acari: Demodecidae) from the agile antechinus, Antechinus agilis dickman, parnaby, crowther and king, 1998 (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in Australia

Abstract

Demodex tortellinioides n. sp. is described in all life stages from the agile antechinus, Antechinus agilis Dickman, Parnaby, Crowther and King (Dasyuridae), 1998. The elongate bodies of the immature instars are coiled such that the gnathosoma overlaps the posterior region of the opisthosoma. This is the first report of immature mites with a coiled body form. Demodex antechini Nutting and Sweatman and an undescribed species of Demodex were also present on the host. All mites were recovered in skin scrapings from areas of hair loss and crusty lesions.

Key words :

• Acari
• Demodecidae
• hair follicle mite
• Australia