First report of Knemidokoptes jamaicensis Turk, 1950 (Acari: Epidermoptidae) infection in Palearctic tits (Passeriformes: Paridae) Parus major L., 1758 and Cyanistes caeruleus (L., 1758) in Portugal

ABSTRACT

Wild birds may show skin lesions caused by different pathogens, such as parasitic mites. During 4 years, 32,569 birds of 156 species were captured across Portugal at several habitat types, and skin samples were collected whenever cutaneous lesions were present. Skin scrapings and skin histology revealed the presence of Knemidokoptes mites identified as K. jamaicensis Turk, 1950 in a great tit Parus major L., 1758 and in a blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus (L., 1758), presenting crusty and proliferative lesions on legs and feet. Both birds were captured in Arzila, Portugal. The presence of these mites may be related to the use of artificial bird feeders by these species. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Knemidokoptes mites in wild birds from Portugal and the first report of this infestation in these two host species.

KEYWORDS:

• Bird feeder
• blue tit
• great tit
• Knemidocoptes
• Knemidokoptes
• Portugal

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.