Mesostigmata mites (Acari: Parasitiformes) associated with birds and their nests from Egypt

A survey of gamasid mites (Arachnida: Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with domestic and wild birds in Egypt was conducted. In total, 16 species within 10 families were collected from 22 bird species. The most abundant species belonged to the genera Dermanyssus DugeS (Dermanyssidae), Ornithonyssus Sambon, and Steatonyssus Kolenati (both Macronyssidae). Among various birds examined, the distribution and occurrence of mites were recorded. Taxonomic remarks about the morphology of the collected mites are presented to facilitate species discrimination for non- acarologists. Steatonyssus longipes Radovsky & Yunker, 1963, previously described as a new species from the Egyptian slit-faced bat, Nycteris thebaica Geoffroy (Chiroptera), is first recorded from various bird hosts in Egypt. Among the examined birds, chickens, Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus) (Galliformes); palm doves, Streoptopelia senigalensis aegyptiacus (Linnaeus); domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica Gmelin (both Columbiformes); and house sparrows, Passer domesticus niloticus, were the highly mite-infested birds. Commonly, mites were observed under the wings, around the vent region, in the breast area, and around the head and neck. The present study showed that Egyptian birds harbor various species of ectoparasitic mites, with chickens having more diversity, and macronyssid and dermanyssid mites are the most abundant.