Mites (Acarina: Astigmata) associated with adult freshwater leeches (Hirudinea: Erpobdellidae)
Author(s)
Proctor, Heather
Gray, H.
Oconnor, B.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
1997
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Two species of mites (Astigmata: Acarina) were found crawling on the integument of cultured Nephelopsis obscura, a common North American leech. This is the first record of an association between mites and adult annelids. Histiostoma anguillarum (Histiostomatidae), previously described as an associate of farmed freshwater eels, were recorded in densities of 1–17 mites per leech, while an undescribed member of the genus Schwiebea (Acaridae) occurred only sporadically. Because Histiostoma and Schwiebea are typically filter-feeders and detritivores, it is unlikely that either feeds on healthy leech tissues. Rather, because many ...
View more >Two species of mites (Astigmata: Acarina) were found crawling on the integument of cultured Nephelopsis obscura, a common North American leech. This is the first record of an association between mites and adult annelids. Histiostoma anguillarum (Histiostomatidae), previously described as an associate of farmed freshwater eels, were recorded in densities of 1–17 mites per leech, while an undescribed member of the genus Schwiebea (Acaridae) occurred only sporadically. Because Histiostoma and Schwiebea are typically filter-feeders and detritivores, it is unlikely that either feeds on healthy leech tissues. Rather, because many leeches were parasitized by a water mould, Saprolegnia sp. (Protista: Oomycota), it seems more likely that the mites fed on the mould and on bacteria and protozans attracted to the dying annelids. The relationships between astigmatid mites, annelids and fish are critically assessed in light of these observations.
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View more >Two species of mites (Astigmata: Acarina) were found crawling on the integument of cultured Nephelopsis obscura, a common North American leech. This is the first record of an association between mites and adult annelids. Histiostoma anguillarum (Histiostomatidae), previously described as an associate of farmed freshwater eels, were recorded in densities of 1–17 mites per leech, while an undescribed member of the genus Schwiebea (Acaridae) occurred only sporadically. Because Histiostoma and Schwiebea are typically filter-feeders and detritivores, it is unlikely that either feeds on healthy leech tissues. Rather, because many leeches were parasitized by a water mould, Saprolegnia sp. (Protista: Oomycota), it seems more likely that the mites fed on the mould and on bacteria and protozans attracted to the dying annelids. The relationships between astigmatid mites, annelids and fish are critically assessed in light of these observations.
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Journal Title
Journal of Natural History
Volume
31
Issue
4
Subject
Evolutionary Biology
Zoology