Who Is Dermanyssus gallinae? Genetic Structure of Populations and Critical Synthesis of the Current Knowledge

Abstract

Despite the economic and animal welfare importance of the Poultry Red Mite Dermanyssus gallinae, its genetic structure has been studied in a scattered way so far. The prophylaxis and control of such a globally distributed ectoparasite can be significantly improved by understanding its genetic population structure (composition in species and intraspecific variants). The present study aims to establish a rigorous framework for characterizing the neutral genetic structure of D. gallinae based on a literature review combined with an integrative analysis of the data available in GenBank on population-level nucleotide sequence diversity supplemented by a new dataset. The integrative analysis was conducted on sequence data extracted from GenBank coupled with new sequences of two fragments of the mitochondrial gene encoding Cytochrome Oxidase I (CO1) as well as of an intron of the nuclear gene encoding Tropomyosin (Tpm) from several PRM populations sampled from European poultry farms. Emphasis was placed on using the mitochondrial gene encoding CO1 on which the main universal region of DNA barcoding in animals is located. The species D. gallinae sensu lato is a species complex, encompassing at least two cryptic species, i.e., not distinguishable by morphological characters: D. gallinae sensu stricto and D. gallinae L1. Only D. gallinae s.s. has been recorded among the populations sampled in poultry farms worldwide. Current knowledge suggests they are structured in three mitochondrial groups (haplogroups A, B, and C). Haplogroup A is cosmopolitan, and the other two present slightly contrasted distributions (B rather in the northern part of Europe, C most frequently found in the southern part). Recent data indicate that a dynamic geographic expansion of haplogroup C is underway in Europe. Our results also show that NUMT (nuclear mitochondrial DNA) pseudogenes have generated artifactual groups (haplogroups E and F). It is important to exclude these artifact groups from future analyses to avoid confusion. We provide an operational framework that will promote consistency in the analysis of subsequent results using the CO1 fragment and recommendations for future analyses.

High‐throughput behavioral phenotyping of tiny arthropods: Chemosensory traits in a mesostigmatic hematophagous mite

“…In addition, some differences among the four populations under test may be explained by the strong genetic differentiation among D. gallinae populations that develop on poultry farms in France and United Kingdom (Roy et al, 2021): the attractive response occurred at higher concentration in English populations than in French populations (5% vs. 0.25%-1%) and we recorded significant differences in locomotor activity between English and French populations.…”

“…Tested individuals of D. gallinae (adult females; length: 0.75–1.5 mm) were collected from several laying hen farms: two French farms (DIN, Pierrelatte; DG‐FR10) and two British farms (DG‐UK04; DG‐UK05) to compare populations assumed to be reproductively isolated for a long time (UK vs. France) or not (within each country) (Roy et al, 2021 ). In this context, we consider as a population a set of individuals that live in a given farm.…”

“…The main objective of this study was to elucidate the role played by host-and mite-emitted odorants in D. gallinae (DG). To do this, we to compare populations assumed to be reproductively isolated for a long time (UK vs. France) or not (within each country) (Roy et al, 2021). In this context, we consider as a population a set of individuals that live in a given farm.…”

Population dynamics of a poultry hematophagous mite: characterization of the population growth and identification of factors of its slowdown using closed mesocosms

“…Previous genotyping of several successive batches of dozens of mites randomly sampled at different locations and times in farm DIN showed that the poultry red mites that develop in this farm only belong to D. gallinae s.s. (more precisely, 100% of the genotyped individuals carried haplotypes of the haplogroup C, very common in French layer farms). 27 Selection of mites to be inoculated into the mesocosms was performed under a stereomicroscope, retaining the largest mites to form a 100% female inoculum as in Bartley et al 28 Only live and active mites were collected, using a P1000 filter pipette tip connected to a vacuum pump. The tips were then sealed with parafilm.…”

Evaluation of the in vitro acaricidal activity of Chinese herbal compounds on the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

“…The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (Acari, Dermanyssidae), is a common ectoparasitoid that feeds on poultry and human blood, and is highly prevalent in poultry farms worldwide, causing annual losses of millions of Euros ( 1 ). PRM are tiny, hiding in cracks in the walls of poultry houses and chicken coops during the day, and sucking blood from the host at night.…”