First record of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 (Acari, Parasitidae) and its phoretic carriers in the Iberian peninsula

Abstract

We report for the first time the presence of Poecilochirus mrciaki Mašán, 1999 in the South of Europe, in the Iberian peninsula and on new carrier insects. Mites were collected from carrion insects, during a decomposition experiment carried out in the natural park “Aiako Harria” (Errenteria, Gipuzkoa). Most deutonymphs were found on the body of the necrophagous beetle Necrodes littoralis (Coleoptera, Silphidae). Other species of insects in families Geotrupidae, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and Calliphoridae (Diptera) were also transporting mites. All carriers were colonising or visiting the pig carcasses. Sampling lasted 3 months in the summers 2009 and 2010. Most mites were sampled from bloat to advanced decay. This is also the first record of P. mrciaki phoretic on flies (Diptera).

Assemblages of Acari in shallow burials: mites as markers of the burial environment, of the stage of decay and of body-cadaver regions

“…Parasitidae mites increased in abundance as the cadaver progressed from bloated, active and advanced decay and decreased during the dry stage. Their colonisation of cadavers during these stages is primarily due to the arrival of their phoretic hosts, as many deutonymphal Parasitidae are phoretic with necrophagous and necrophilous flies (Fain and Greenwood 1991;Hyatt 1980;Rai et al 2020;Saloña-Bordas and Perotti 2019) and beetles (Costa 1963;González-Medina et al 2013;Hyatt 1980;Schwarz and Walzl 1996;Schwarz and Müller 1992). This is reflected by the results of this study where they were significantly more abundant in cadaver soils, suggesting that most species associated with the shallow graves are phoretic Parasitidae.…”

First record of Poecilochirus necrophori (Acari: Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) from Turkey and its importance in forensic acarology

“…Over 100 species of mites associated with human and animal carcasses have been reported so far (Perotti et al, 2009). Poecilochirus species are one of the most abundant gamasid mites found in carcasses, however, different species may occur at the different stages of the decomposition (Pérez-Martínez et al, 2019, Saloña-Bordas andPerotti, 2019). Several Poecilochirus species (P. austroasiaticus, P. carabi, P. davydovae and P. subterraneus) have been already reported on human carcasses, P. mrciaki on a pig carcass, P. necrophori on a mouse carcass and Poecilochirus sp.…”

“…Several Poecilochirus species (P. austroasiaticus, P. carabi, P. davydovae and P. subterraneus) have been already reported on human carcasses, P. mrciaki on a pig carcass, P. necrophori on a mouse carcass and Poecilochirus sp. on seal, rat and rabbit carcasses (Lord and Burger, 1984;De Jong and Chadwick, 1999;Braig and Perotti, 2009;Medina et al, 2013;Saloña-Bordas and Perotti, 2014;Saloña-Bordas and Perotti, 2019).…”

“…Due to their specificity, abundance, diversity, and frequent occurrence on carcasses, Poecilochirus species are of great importance to be used as indicator species in forensic acarology (Perotti et al, 2009, Pérez-Martínez et al, 2019. Despite the knowledge regarding the presence of mites in corpses, and their role in the decomposition of carcasses for a long period of time, their importance in forensic research has only been recognized in recent decades (Braig and Perotti, 2009;Medina et al, 2013, Saloña-Bordas andPerotti, 2014;Saloña-Bordas and Perotti, 2019). The only way for Poecilochirus species to get to the carcass is a phoresy (Perotti et al, 2009).…”