Quill Mites of the Subfamily Syringophilinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) Parasitising Starlings (Passeriformes: Sturnidae)

Simple Summary This study provides detailed information on six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings and records new host and locality data. Additionally, three new species are described: Aulonastus indonesianus sp. n., Aulonastus anais sp. n., and Syringophiloidus poeopterus sp. n., from various starling hosts across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Tanzania. The study reveals that species from the genera Syringophiloidus and Syringophilopsis exhibit a broad host range among passerine birds, suggesting a long-established symbiotic relationship before the global dispersal of starlings. In Europe, the Eurasian Starling hosts Krantziaulonastus, while in Africa, related niches are occupied by Picobiinae mites. The research highlights the intricate coevolutionary dynamics between quill mites and their avian hosts.Abstract Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae are widely distributed parasites of birds inhabiting the interior of feather quills. In this paper, we provide detailed information on the host spectrum and distribution for six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings with new host and locality records. Additionally, we describe three new species: Aulonastus indonesianus Marcisova, Skoracki, and Patan sp. n. from the Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Linnaeus in Indonesia (Java) and the White-necked Myna Streptocitta albicollis (Vieillot) in Indonesia (Celebes); Aulonastus anais Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Golden Myna Mino anais (Lesson) in Papua New Guinea; and Syringophiloidus poeopterus Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Abbott's Starling Poeoptera femoralis (Richmond) in Tanzania. Finally, we explore the host-parasite interactions within the system comprising starlings and syringophiline mites.