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Zeterohercon, a new genus of Heterozerconidae (Acari:Mesostigmata) and the description of Zeterohercon amphisbaenae N. Sp. from Brasil
Abstract
A new genus and species of Heterozerconidae from Amphisbaena in Brasil are described. The parasitic association of heterozerconids and squamates is confirmed. This is the first detailed description of a heterozerconid and the presence of a spermatheca in this family is reported for the first time.
... The Heterozerconidae are more diverse. In the most recent revision of the family, Fain (1989) recognized five genera: Heterozercon Berlese from South and Central America (Berlese 1888;1892;Fain 1989;Silvestri 1903) (3 described species), Amheterozercon from South America (Fain 1989;Finnegan 1931;Flechtmann & Johnston 1990;lizaso 1979) (2 species), Afroheterozercon Fain from Africa (Berlese 1924;Fain 1988;1989;Klompen et al. 2013) (10 species), Asioheterozercon Fain from southeast Asia (Fain 1989) (1-2 species), and Maracazercon Fain from South America (Fain 1989) (1 species). Not included in this list is the genus Allozercon vitzthum described from a single specimen collected on Java (vitzthum 1926). ...
... Both Amheterozercon Fain and Zeterohercon Flechtmann & Johnston were described with Heterozercon oudemansi as their type species, making Zeterohercon an objective synonym of Amheterozercon. Flechtmann & Johnston (1990) noted the presence of a spermatheca inside some females. Based on that observation they assumed the presence of secondary genital openings even though they could not find such openings. ...
... Zeterohercon amphisbaenae Flechtmann & Johnston 1990: 145. Amheterozercon amphisbaenae.-lindquist ...
The genera of Heterozerconoidea are revised based on a species-level analysis of relationships in the group. The family Discozerconidae in its current state may be paraphyletic. Diagnoses for the genera are updated, and a catalog of all described species is provided. As part of this re-analysis two new genera, Amyzozercon and Ecuazercon, and four new species are described, and a key to the genera is provided. Possible evolutionary implications of the proposed set of relationships in terms of biogeography and the evolution of podospermy are discussed.
... The biology of heterozerconids is no less interesting than their morphology. Aside from a few species that have been reported from centipedes (Berlese, 1910), termite nests (Berlese & Leonardi, 1901), beneath tree bark (Berlese, 1888), and from soil (Vitzthum, 1926), most adult heterozerconids are considered to be paraphagic on millipedes, while others are likely parasites of reptiles (Finnegan, 1931;Lizaso, 1979;Fain, 1989;Flechtmann & Johnston, 1990;). The immatures of N. ohioensis, the only heterozerconid species for which immatures have been described, are predators in the aggregation sites or "nests" of the millipede species that serve as hosts for their adults (Gerdeman et al., 2000). ...
... Also, as in the Parasitengonina, there is great morphological disparity between immature and adult heterozerconids, a disparity so pronounced that verification of conspecificity between a field-collected immature (i.e., one collected outside the nest habitat) and its host-associated adult may be possible only through successful rearing of the immature to the adult stage, or through application of DNA sequencing protocols involving both the immature and its suspected conspecific adult. Adults of Heterozercon and Amheterozercon species have been described from southern Brazil on millipedes and squamate reptiles respectively (Lizaso, 1979;Fain, 1989;Flechtmann & Johnston, 1990); the genus Maracazercon Fain, erected for a species taken from a millipede on Ilha de Maraca (probably Ilha de Maracá, Roraima State) in northern Brazil (Fain, 1989), may be represented in southern Brazil as well. Clearly, the identity of immatures collected in that region cannot be assumed on empirical evidence alone. ...
... While there is no clear evidence that the Cananéia nymphs are A. oudemansi, both forms lack lyrifissures iv3 (Figs. 3B, 5B in this paper, and Figs. 1, 2 of Flechtmann & Johnston, 1990) (see also morphological considerations, above). ...
Free-living mesostigmatic mites collected in coastal forest litter samples in southeastern Brazil were determined to be the nymphal stages of an unknown species of Heterozerconidae, a family whose adults are typically associated with millipedes (Diplopoda) and, less commonly, with squamate reptiles. This is only the second published record of immature heterozerconids and the first positive determination of field-collected heterozerconid nymphs for which the adults have yet to be identified. The protonymph and deutonymph are described, unique morphological characters are discussed, and inferences are made as to the possible identity of the adult stage and its host.
... However, the presence of the spermatodactyl on the fixed cheliceral digit in male heterozerconids (e.g., Fain, 1989;Flechtmann and Johnston, 1990;Evans, 1992;Gerdeman, 2002;Gerdeman and Klompen, 2003;Di Palma et al., 2008;Lindquist et al., 2009;Klompen et al., 2013) is unique differentiating this family from the other podospermic Gamasida (i.e. dermanyssiae mites), whose spermatodactyl arises from the movable cheliceral digit. ...
... In some descriptions of heterozerconids based on light microscopy (Fain, 1989;Klompen et al., 2013), a structure is often illustrated near the anterior margin of the female genital shield with a dotted line, probably representing the spermatophore, while in the same specimens no obvious insemination pores are illustrated or mentioned in the text. In the description of other species also based on light microscopy, insemination pores or spermathecae are mentioned and/or illustrated (Flechtmann and Johnston, 1990;Gerdeman and Klompen, 2003). Hence we might assume that, even though males of all described heterozerconids are provided with a spermatodactyl-like process and with a presternal genital opening, not all females are provided with a secondary insemination system (sperm access system). ...
Heterozerconidae is a poorly known, early derived mite family belonging to Heterozerconina (Monogynaspida, Gamasida (= Mesostigmata)). The systematic position of the family is still controversial and little is known about the biology and anatomy of the taxon. In this paper, the gross anatomy, ultrastructure and functional morphology of the female reproductive system are described comparing genera from different geographic areas. The occurence of podospermy (i.e. the use of a sperm transfer process carried by the fixed digit of the male chelicerae to inseminate females through secondary insemination pores instead of through the oviporus) as insemination mode in this family was documented. Nevertheless, morphological and functional evidences in the reproductive system of the females support the idea that, in the same family, more than one insemination mode is present: some genera are plesiomorphically tocospemic (i.e. insemination through the oviporus) while others switched to podospermy. Such discovery is of fundamental importance for the determination of the relationship between the family Heterozerconidae and the family Discozerconidae, both belonging tentatively to Heterozerconina and for the phylogenetic position of the Heterozerconina among Gamasida.
... Although in general, infection by haemogregarines seems less common in species with burrowing habits, our results suggest that a fossorial lifestyle per se does not prevent infection with this group of parasites. Mites such as Zeterohercon amphisbaenae are known from South American amphisbaenians (Flechtmann & Johnston 1990), and assessment of mites from these reptiles in North Africa would be useful to determine if these are the vectors. Although Martin et al. (2016) did not observe any parasites, their sampling was limited to small islands off the coast of North Africa. ...
... Dichotomous keys as well as original descriptions were used for morphological identification of mites and ticks associated with reptiles and ampihibians (Wharton et al., 1951;Fain, 1962a;1964;Brennan and Goff, 1977;Lizaso, 1981;1982;Montgomery, 1966;Flechtmann and Johnston, 1990;Fain and Bannert, 2002;Barros-Battesti et al., 2006;Dowling, 2009;Martins et al., 2010;Paredes-Leon et al., 2012;Silva-de la Fuente et al. 2016;Mendoza-Roldan et al., 2017). ...
This study focuses on the parasitic associations of mites and ticks infesting reptiles and amphibians through a multifocal approach. Herein, reptiles (n= 3,596) and amphibians (n= 919) were examined to ensure representativeness of the Brazilian herpetofauna megadiversity. The overall prevalence was calculated to better understand which were the preferred hosts for each order of Acari (Trombidiformes, Mesostigmata and Ixodida), as well as to determine which orders frequently parasitize reptiles and amphibians in Brazil, and their host specificity. Infestation rates were calculated [prevalence, mean intensity (MI) and mean abundance (MA)] for each order and species, determining which mites and ticks are more likely to be found parasitizing the ectothermic tetrapod fauna. Parasitic niches and preferred locations were recorded to help identify specific places exploited by different Acari, and to determine the host-parasite adaptations, specificity, and relationships in terms of co-evolution. In total 4,515 reptiles and amphibians were examined, of which 170 specimens were infested by mites and ticks (overall prevalence of 3.8%). Trombidiformes mites were prevalent in lizards (55.3%), followed by Ixodida on snakes (24.7%). Mesostigmata mites were the less prevalent, being identified only on Squamata reptiles (4.3% on snakes, 2.4% on lizards). In amphibians, Ixodida ticks were the most prevalent (63.2%), followed by Trombidiformes (34.6%), and lastly Oribatida (2%). From the 13 species of Trombidiformes identified, Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (19.9 %) was the most abundant in terms of number of host species and infested individuals. Specimens of Ixodida, yet more common, showed low preferred locations and different values of infestation rates. Co-infestations were recorded only on snakes. Lizard mites generally adhered to the ventral celomatic area (Pterygosomatidae), and some species to the pocket-like structures (Trombiculidae). Lizards, at variance from snakes, have adapted to endure high parasitic loads with minimum effects on their health. The high number of mites recorded in the digits of toads (Cycloramphus boraceiensis, Corythomantis greening, Cycloramphus dubius, Leptodactylus latrans, Melanophryniscus admirabilis) could lead to avascular necrosis. Frogs were often infested by Hannemania larvae, while Rhinella toads were likely to be infested by Amblyomma ticks. Of note, Rhinella major toad was found infested by an oribatid mite, implying first a new parasitic relationship. The effect of high parasitic loads on critically endangered species of anurans deserves further investigation. Our results add basic knowledge to host association of mites and ticks to Brazilian reptiles and amphibians, highlighting that routine ectoparasite examination is needed in cases of quarantine as well as when for managing reptiles and amphibians in captivity given the wide diversity of Acari on the Brazilian ectothermic tetrapod fauna.
... Despite this, host-parasite relationships between Acari and reptiles have received limited attention (Fajfer, 2012). Several families of mites are described as reptile ectoparasites (Fajfer, 2012), but only the families Harpirhynchidae (Fain, 1964), Heterozerconidae (Flechtmann and Johnston, 1990), Trombiculidae (Carvalho et al. 2006;Rocha et al. 2008;Delfino et al. 2011;Menezes et al. 2011), Pterygosomatidae (Delfino et al. 2011) and Macronyssidae (Barbosa et al. 2006) have been recorded from Brazilian Squamata. In lizards, morphological characteristics that facilitate the attachment of ectoparasites are the "mite-pockets" (Bertrand and Modrý, 2004), imbricate scales (Menezes et al. 2011), skin folds (Bauer et al. 1990;Carvalho et al. 2006), axillary and post-femoral regions (Delfino et al. 2011). ...
Although mites are often associated with reptiles, there is little information available about parasites of lizards in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify the ectoparasites of the lizards Kentropyx calcarata (Squamata: Teiidae), Hemidactylus mabouia (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from northeastern Brazil. The lizards were captured during the dry season at Mata de Tejipió, a fragment of Atlantic Forest, located in the municipality of Recife, state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Eutrombicula sp. (Acari: Trombiculidae), Geckobia hemidactyli and Geckobiella harrisi (Acari: Pterygosomatidae) were found associated with adult lizards of K. calcarata , H. mabouia , and T. hispidus , respectively. Mites were found in skin folds of the throat and post femoral regions ( Eutrombicula sp.), “mite-pockets” ( G. harrisi ); and in axillary, dorsal, ventral and pelvic regions ( G. hemidactyli ). In Brazil, this study widens the known geographical distribution of Geckobiella harrisi on T . hispidus and G . hemidactyli on H . mabouia . In addition, K . calcarata is recorded as a new host of Eutrombicula sp. These findings show the importance of ectoparasites as a tool for ecological and biogeographic studies.
Among Chelicerata, larval instars of sea spiders (Pycnogonida) can be parasitic. The oldest putative sea spider from the Cambrian ‘Orsten’ is immature and resembles comparable instars of modern species with a parasitic phase to their life cycle. All other parasitic chelicerates are mites, with several examples in both the Acariformes and Parasitiformes clades. Fossils revealing parasitic behaviour, or belonging to purely parasitic clades, come from various amber sources from the mid-Cretaceous onwards. From Acariformes there are records of Parasitengona, Myobiidae, Pterygosomatoidea, Resinacaridae, Acarophenacidae, Pyemotidae and Apotomelidae. Parasitiformes is represented by several ticks (Ixodida) and potentially Laelapidae from the Mesostigmata. Parasitism appears to have evolved independently within mites on several occasions. Possible transitions to this lifestyle via nest associations and/or phoresy are discussed. Arachnids as victims of parasites include amber records of nematode worms (Mermithidae), erythraeid mites (Erythraeidae), mantid flies (Neuroptera: Mantispidae), ichneumon wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and spider flies (Diptera: Acroceridae).
The female reproductive system in Pergamasus mites consists of an unpaired vagina, vaginal duct, uterus, and ovary. Additionally, there are paired vaginal glands, as well as unpaired ventral and paired lateromedial glandular complexes. The vagina and vaginal duct are cuticle-lined. In the dorsal wall of the vagina, this lining forms the endogynium which possesses a "sac" and two conspicuous "spherules" and is armed with "stipula" and other cuticular protrusions. The endogynium functions as a spermatheca, being a storing site for the spermatophore. The spherule procuticle is perforated by microvilli of underlying cells that are structurally very unusual. The lining of the vaginal duct forms numerous cuticular fibers directed toward the vagina. There is an external layer of muscles, supposedly functioning as a sphincter. The uterus is an organ in which the fertilized egg is stored for some time and starts embryonic development. Its wall is composed of glandular epithelial cells. The ovary consists of inner and outer parts. The former part is formed by a nutritive syncytium, whereas the latter contains growing oocytes. Two groups of glands connect with the genital tract. Paired vaginal glands are composed of glandular and secretion-storing parts and open into the vagina. Paired lateromedial and unpaired ventral glandular complexes empty into the genital tract between the vaginal duct and uterus. The structure of the female genital system is discussed in terms of its function and phylogeny. J. Morphol. 240:195-223, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The female reproductive system in Pergamasus mites consists of an unpaired vagina, vaginal duct, uterus, and ovary. Additionally, there are paired vaginal glands, as well as unpaired ventral and paired lateromedial glandular complexes. The vagina and vaginal duct are cuticle-lined. In the dorsal wall of the vagina, this lining forms the endogynium which possesses a “sac” and two conspicuous “spherules” and is armed with “stipula” and other cuticular protrusions. The endogynium functions as a spermatheca, being a storing site for the spermatophore. The spherule procuticle is perforated by microvilli of underlying cells that are structurally very unusual. The lining of the vaginal duct forms numerous cuticular fibers directed toward the vagina. There is an external layer of muscles, supposedly functioning as a sphincter. The uterus is an organ in which the fertilized egg is stored for some time and starts embryonic development. Its wall is composed of glandular epithelial cells. The ovary consists of inner and outer parts. The former part is formed by a nutritive syncytium, whereas the latter contains growing oocytes. Two groups of glands connect with the genital tract. Paired vaginal glands are composed of glandular and secretion-storing parts and open into the vagina. Paired lateromedial and unpaired ventral glandular complexes empty into the genital tract between the vaginal duct and uterus. The structure of the female genital system is discussed in terms of its function and phylogeny. J. Morphol. 240:195–223, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Summary Eight species of new, or rare and little known, Acarina (Mesostigmata) are described or recorded from specimens in the South Australian Museum. In the family Paraniegistidae three new species and a new genus are described. The genus Micromegistus Träg. is represented by a new species; the genus belongs to the family Parantennulidae Willmann. The genus Ptochacarus Silv. with the bizarre species P. daveyi as type is more clearly diagnosed and transferred from the Antennophoridae to the Klinckowstroemiidae; two new species of the genus are described, and a key given. A second specimen of Allozercon fecundissirnus Vitz. is recorded and figured.
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Vitzthum, H. G. 1925. Fauna Sumatrensis (Beitrag No.
Acari Austro-Americani quos collegit Aloysius Balzan et illustravit Antonio Berlese
- A Berlese
Berlese, A. 1888. Acari Austro-Americani quos collegit
Aloysius Balzan et illustravit Antonio Berlese.
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Vitzthum, H. G. 1926. Malayische Acari. Treubia 8:1 -198.
Um novo acaro da familia Downloaded by
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Lizaso, N. M. 1979. Um novo acaro da familia
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