Ecological Connections between Gamasid Mites (Arachnida, Gamasoidea) and Small Mammals in Forest Biotopes of the Middle Volga Region

Host specificity of mites with respect to different species of small mammals in forest ecosystems was studied. The preferences of some parasites for certain host species differed from those described previously. In some cases, most parasites preferred to feed on the species that were most numerous in a certain biogeocenosis, rather than on their specific hosts. Conversely, other species of mites fed mostly on their specific hosts, irrespective of their low abundance, thus manifesting close connections with these mammals. Two mite species, Myonyssus dubinini and M. rossicus, were found in the study region for the first time.