The life history and transmission biology of Sternostoma tracheacolum Lawrence (Acari: Rhinonyssidae) associated with the Gouldian finch Erythrura gouldiae

Abstract

Sternostoma tracheacolum was found to be ovoviviparous, laying eggs in the lung of the host.Larvae hatch shortly after oviposition and moult without feeding. Following a blood meal female protonymphs move to the posterior airsacs while male protonymphs tend to stay within the lung to complete development. Gravid females tend to occupy the airsacs, the syrinx and trachea of the host while adult non-gravid, non-gorged females are more commonly found in the upper respiratory system, particularly the buccal and nasal cavities. In vitro rearing experiments and other observations indicate that the life cycle (from egg to adult) is completed in less than 6 days. Transmission is accomplished by the adult non-gravid, non-gorged female and this stage is often encountered on the head plumage, bill and nares of infected birds. Observations on the behaviour and survival of the transmissible indicate a potential for direct transmission between hosts in close proximity and indirect transmission via water, perches or other surfaces. Adult male mites tend to be common in small infrapopulations but uncommon and often absent in large infrapopulations, supporting an argument for parthenogenesis and an arrhenotokous system of sex determination.

New species of parasitic nasal mites infesting birds in Manitoba, Canada (Mesostigmata, Rhinonyssidae)

“…There are at least 500 described species of nasal mites worldwide (Fain 1994), of which the Rhinonyssidae are the most diverse and abundant, with 66 species (59 named, 7 undescribed species) occurring in Canada (Knee and Galloway 2017). Rhinonyssids are slow-moving, obligate haematophagous endoparasites that dwell primarily in the nasal cavity and turbinates, though occasionally these mites invade the trachea, lungs and body cavity (Porter and Strandtmann 1952, Bell 1996). Typically, rhinonyssids are not considered to cause significant damage to their hosts; however, the feeding activity may cause trauma to nasal tissues (de Rojas et al 2002), and species that invade the lungs and air-sacs, such as Sternostomatracheacolum Lawrence, can cause pneumonia and death of their hosts (Bell 1996).…”

A New Species of the Genus <i>Larinyssus</i> Strandtmann (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae) from the Common Tern <i>Sterna hirundo</i> (Charadriiformes: Sternidae) in Russia

“…Rhinonyssids usually disperse by direct transmission from one host individual to another via the oral route, when infested adult birds regurgitate food to their nestlings, or during courtship behavior. Indirect transmission has been observed across water, perches, or other contaminated surfaces (Bell, 1996). Nasal mites are known from most recent orders of birds, and they have being recorded from hosts on all continents (Butenko, 1984;Dimov, 2010;Domrow, 1969;Pence, 1975).…”

One new species of nasal mites of the genus Vitznyssus (Rhinonyssidae) from the Leningrad province, Russia

“…Rhinonyssid mites disperse by the oral route when infested adult birds regurgitate food to their nestlings or during courtship behavior. Indirect transmission has been detected through water, perches, or other contaminated surfaces (Bell, 1996). It is thought that they are descendents of ectoparasitic predecessors which were probably related to the Macronyssidae (Strandtmann, 1948).…”