A NEW SPECIES OF PARASITIC MITES
OF THE GENUS SYRINGOPHILOIDUS KETHLEY 1970 (ACARI: SYRINGOPHILIDAE) FROM THE BARN SWALLOW HIRUNDO RUSTICA LINNAEUS, 1758
S K O R A C K I M.*, MØLLER A . P . * * & T R Y J A N O W S K I P.***
Summary:
A new quill mite species Syringophiloidus hirundinis (Acari:
Syringophilidae] is described from the Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. The species Syringophiloidus hirundinis had a prevalence of 1 7.1 % in the two outermost tail feathers (N = 2 0 8 adult Barn Swallows] during the breeding season of the Barn Swallow host.
Intensity of infestation was 9.7 adult mites per pair of infested tail feathers. The sex ratio was highly biased towards females, with only 7.5 % of all individuals being males (20:3].
K E Y W O R D S : Acari, Syringophilidae, ectoparasites, quill mites, Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica, Syringophiloidus hirundinis sp. n.
Résumé : UNE NOUVELLE ESPÈCE D'ACARIEN D E GENRE
SYRINGOPHILOIDUS KETHLEY 1 9 7 0 (ACARI : S Y R I N G O P H I L I D A E ) PARASITE DE L'HIRONDELLE HIRUNDO RISTICA LINNAEUS, 1 7 5 8
Une nouvelle espèce d'acarien parasite Syringophiloidus hirundinis (Acari : Syringophilidae) est décrite au niveau du plumage de l'hirondelle Hirundo rustica. Cette nouvelle espèce est observée avec une prévalence de 17,1 % au niveau des plumes des deux pointes de la queue (N = 208 hirondelles adultes) pendant la saison de reproduction de l'oiseau. L'intensité de l'infestation est de 9,7 acariens adultes par plumes de queue. Le sex ratio est biaisé en faveur des femelles car 7,5 % seulement des oiseaux étaient des mâles (20/3).
MOTS CLES : Acari, Syringophilidae, ectoporasite, plumage, hirondelle, Hirundo rustica, Syringophiloidus hirundinis sp. n.
INTRODUCTION
T
h e fauna o f Syringophilidae mites is insuffi- ciently investigated. T o date, the genus Syrin- gophiloidus includes 10 described s p e c i e s from two orders o f avian hosts: Passeriformes and Apodi- formes (Kethley, 1970; Chirov & Kravtsova, 1995; B o c h ¬ kov & Mironov, 1998; Fain et al., 2000, B o c h k o v . 2 0 0 1 ; Skoracki et al., 2 0 0 1 ) .In the present p a p e r w e describe a n e w s p e c i e s o f the genus Syringophiloidus associated with the Barn Swal- low Hirundo rutica (Aves: 1 H i r u n d i n i d a e ) . The biology and e c o l o g y , including parasites, o f the Barn Swallow are well k n o w n (Moller, 1 9 9 4 ) . Several species o f para- sites have b e e n d o c u m e n t e d , including mites o n fea- thers and in nests (summary in Moller, 1 9 9 4 ) .
T h e nomenclature o f idiosomal setae is based on Fain ( 1 9 7 9 ) in the version modified for the family Syringo- philidae ( B o c h k o v & Mironov, 1998; B o c h k o v et al.,
* D e p a r t m e n t of A n i m a l M o r p h o l o g y , A. M i c k i e w i c z U n i v e r s i t y , 2 8 C z e r w c a 1 9 5 6 / 1 9 8 , 6 1 - 4 8 5 P o z n a n , P o l a n d .
E-mail: s k o r a c k i @ m a i n . a m u . e d u . p l
** L a b o r a t o i r e d e P a r a s i t o l o g i e É v o l u t i v e . CNRS U M R 7 1 0 3 . U n i v e r - sité Pierre et Marie Curie. 7. q u a i St. B e r n a r d , C a s e 2 3 7 , F - 7 5 2 5 2 Paris C e d e x 0 5 , F r a n c e . E - m a i l : a m o l l e r @ s n v . i u s s i e u . f r
*** D e p a r t m e n t of A v i a n B i o l o g y & E c o l o g y , Institute of E n v i r o n - m e n t a l B i o l o g y , A. M i c k i e w i c z University. F r e d r y 1 0 , 6 1 - 7 0 1 P o z n a n . P o l a n d . E-mail: p t a s i e k @ m a i n . a m u . e d u . p l
C o r r e s p o n d e n c e : M a c i e j S k o r a c k i .
1999). T h e terminology for morphology and leg chaeto- taxy follows that o f Kethley ( 1 9 7 0 ) . All measurements, including scale bars in figures, are given in m i c r o m e - ters (urn). T h e setal m e a s u r e m e n t s o f the holotype are i n c o m p l e t e , b e c a u s e s o m e setae are broken; h o w e v e r ranges o f setal lengths are given for 10 paratypes.
Abbreviations for locations w h e r e the type materials are deposited:
UAM - Department o f Animal Morphology, A. Mickie- wicz University, Poznan, Poland;
ZIN - Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
DESCRIPTION
SYRINGOPHILOIDUS HIRUNDINIS SP. N.
• F e m a l e (Figs. 1, 2 and 5, 6 )
Total length o f holotype 8 0 0 ( 7 9 0 - 8 5 0 in 10 paratypes).
G n a t h o s o m a . G n a t h o s o m a punctated ventrally. Hypo¬
stomal a p e x as in Figure 5. Stylophore 180 ( 1 7 0 - 1 8 5 ) long, rounded posteriorly. Peritremes M-shaped; each transverse branch with two-three c h a m b e r s , each lon- gitudinal branch with seven-nine c h a m b e r s (Fig. 6 ) . Idiosoma. Cuticular striations as in Figures 1, 2. Pro¬
p o d o s o m a l plate poorly developed, margins indistinct, punctated. Setae vi and ve slightly serrate, other idio- somal setae smooth. Hysterosomal plate poorly deve- loped or absent. Pygidial plate present without p u n c ¬
Parasite, 2 0 0 3 , 10, 1 7 - 2 0
Mémoire 17
Article available athttp://www.parasite-journal.orgorhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2003101p17
SKORACKI M., MOLLER A.P. & T R Y J A N 0 W S K I P.
tations. Setae d2 closer to l1 than to l2. T w o pairs o f anal setae present.
Legs. Coxae I and II punctated, c o x a e III and IV weakly developed, few or n o punctations. Length o f setae: sc1
10 ( 1 0 - 1 5 ) ; sc2 15 ( 1 5 - 2 5 ) ; sc3 50 ( 4 0 - 5 5 ) ; sc4 4 0 ( 4 0 - 50). Setae p ' and p " o f legs III and IV with 7-10 tines.
Length o f setae tc' o f tarsi III and IV ( 6 0 - 6 5 ) , tc" o f tarsi III and IV ( 8 5 - 9 5 ) .
Lengths o f setae: vi 105 ( 9 0 - 1 1 0 ) ; ve 195 ( 1 8 0 - 2 2 0 ) ; sci 255 ( 2 4 0 - 2 6 0 ) ; h ( 2 9 5 - 3 1 5 ) ; dl 2 9 5 ( 2 8 5 - 3 0 0 ) ; sce 295 ( 2 9 0 - 3 2 0 ) ; l1 2 6 5 ( 2 1 5 - 2 5 0 ) ; d2 ( 2 3 5 - 2 7 5 ) ; l2 2 0 0 ( 2 3 0 - 240); 14 3 5 5 ( 3 3 0 - 3 8 0 ) ; d4 4 0 ( 4 0 - 4 5 ) ; 14 4 0 0 ( 3 8 5 - 4 5 0 ) ;
d5 ( 4 0 - 4 5 ) ; id ( 1 6 0 - 1 6 5 ) ; ic3 140 ( 1 0 0 - 1 3 5 ) ; gl and g2 subequal 4 0 ( 4 0 - 5 0 ) ; a1 and a2 subequal ( 5 0 - 5 5 ) ; pg1 2 0 0 ( 1 5 0 - 2 0 0 ) ; pg2 ( 1 7 5 - 2 1 0 ) ; pg3 2 2 5 ( 2 2 0 - 2 4 5 ) .
• Male (Figs 3, 4 and 7, 8 )
Total length 5 2 5 - 5 4 5 in three paratypes.
G n a t h o s o m a . G n a t h o s o m a punctated ventrally. Hypo- stomal a p e x as in Figure 7. Stylophore 1 4 5 - 1 5 5 long, w e a k l y constricted posteriorly. Peritremes M-shaped;
e a c h transverse branch with two-three c h a m b e r s , e a c h longitudinal b r a n c h with six-seven c h a m b e r s (Fig. 8 ) . Idiosoma. Cuticular striations as in Figures 3, 4. All dorsal plates ( p r o p o d o s o m a l , hysterosomal and pygi-
18 Mémoire P a r a s i t e , 2 0 0 3 , 10, 1 7 - 2 0
F i g s 1, 2. - Syringophiloidus hirundinis
sp. n. F e m a l e . 1. D o r s a l v i e w . 2. V e n t r a l v i e w .
SYWNGOPHILOIDIIS HIRUNDINIS SP. N.
Figs 3, 4. - Syringopbiloidns hirundinis sp. n. Male. 3. Dorsal view. 4. Ventral
Figs 5, 6. - Syringophiioidus hirundinis sp. n. Female. 5. Hypostomal apex ventral view. 6. Peritremes.
Figs 7, 8. — Syringophiioidus hirundinis sp. n. Male. 7. Hypostomal apex ventral view. 8. Peritremes.
dial) poorly d e v e l o p e d , margins indistinct. Length o f setae: vi 5 0 - 6 5 ; ve 100; d1 195; sce 1 6 5 - 1 8 5 . P r o p o d o - somal setae smooth. Setae d2 c l o s e r to l1 than to l2.
Legs. C o x a e I-IV with few or n o punctations. Length o f setae: sc1 10; sc2 15; sc3 2 5 - 3 5 ; sc4 2 0 - 2 5 . Setae p' and p" o f legs III and IV with 7 - 1 0 tines. Length o f setae tc' o f tarsi III and IV 3 5 - 4 0 ; tc" o f tarsi III and IV 6 0 - 6 5 .
Lengths o f s e t a e : vi 1 0 0 - 1 3 0 ; ve 1 7 0 - 1 7 5 ; sci variable 5 0 - 6 0 o r 1 6 0 ; b 1 7 5 - 2 0 0 ; d1 2 3 0 ; sce 2 2 0 - 2 5 5 ; l1 variable 4 5 - 5 5 or 9 0 - 9 5 ; d2 3 0 - 4 0 ; l2 2 0 - 3 0 ; d5 4 0 - 6 0 ; l5 2 7 5 - 2 8 5 ; ic1 1 3 0 - 1 3 5 ; ic3 9 0 - 1 0 0 ; pg1 1 3 5 - 1 5 0 ; pg2 9 5 - 1 2 0 . D i s t a n c e s b e t w e e n setal b a s e s : l1-d2 3 5 - 4 0 ; d2-l2 5 0 .
• T y p e material
Female holotype (S-40.1.1), 19 female, three male, 11 nymph and four larvae paratypes from Barn Swallow Hirundo r u s t i c a (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae); Milano, Italy; 17 J u n e 1 9 9 3 ; leg. A. Moller, det. M. Skoracki.
Holotype, 17 female, two male, 11 nymph and four lar
v a e paratypes are d e p o s i t e d at UAM; two female and o n e m a l e paratypes are deposited at ZIN.
• Etymology
T h e n a m e refers to the g e n e r i c n a m e o f the host.
Mémoire
P a r a s i t e , 2 0 0 3 . 10, 1 7 - 2 0
19
S K O R A C K I M . , M O L L E R A . P . & T R Y J A N 0 W S K I P .
• Differential diagnosis
Syringophiloidus hirundinis sp. n. is closely related to S. cypsiuri Fain, B o c h k o v & Mironov, 2000 described from Cypsiurus parvus (Apodiformes: Apodidae) from the C o n g o (Africa). In both species the propodosomal setae are smooth, setae vi longer than 70, ve longer than 150.
This n e w s p e c i e s is distinguishable from a b o v e men- tioned s p e c i e s b y the p r e s e n c e o f the following cha- racters. In t h e female S. hirundinis sp. n., lengths o f setae: / 4 3 1 5 - 3 5 0 ; / 5 4 0 5 - 4 5 0 ; pg2 1 7 0 - 2 1 0 ; a 50-55; tc III a n d IV 6 0 - 6 5 . In the male, lengths o f setae vi and l5: 170-175 a n d 2 7 5 - 2 8 5 respectively; length o f setae l1 longer than l2. In the female S. cypsiuri, lengths o f setae: l4 2 2 0 ; l5 2 7 5 ; pg2 1 1 0 - 1 1 5 ; a 3 0 ; tc III and IV 4 0 - 4 5 . In the male, lengths o f setae vi and l5: 110 and
180 respectively; setae l1 and l2 subequal.
• Ecological c o m m e n t s
Quill mites live within the calamus o f bird feathers. T h e mites enter through the superior umbilicus o f the fea- ther during the growth o f feathers o f nestlings or during moult. Only adult female mites disperse (Kethley, 1971).
Transmission is vertical from parent hosts to their off- spring during reproduction a n d horizontal from o n e adult host individual to another during moult. Since Barn Swallows are highly gregarious during the winter, w h e n the single annual moult takes place (Turner & Rose,
1989). frequent contact between individuals during com- munal roosting should facilitate horizontal transmission.
Quill mites o f the species Syringophiloidus hirundinis had a prevalence o f 17.1 % in the two outermost tail fea- thers (N = 208 adult the Barn Swallows) during the bree- ding season o f the Barn Swallow host T h e outermost tail feathers were collected from all individual barn swallows captured during extensive studies o f reproductive biology and behaviour o f the species. T h e material is presented in Møller et al. (1995). Intensity o f infestation was 9.7 adult (SE = 2.2) mites per pair o f outermost tail feathers among infested individuals. T h e s e x ratio w a s highly biased towards females, with only 7.5 % o f all individuals being males. This pattern is c o m m o n among quill mites (e.g.
Kethley, 1971; Casto, 1975). T h e optimal sex ratio will d e p e n d o n t h e f r e q u e n c y o f multiple infestations (Hamilton, 1967, 1979). T h e frequency o f multiple infes- tations in the barn swallow remains to b e determined, although frequently recorded dead female quill mites in other hosts (e.g. Casto, 1975) could b e interpreted as ari- sing from interactions between multiple founding females and corresponding with their lower fitness advantage than during solitary infestation (Kethley, 1975).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank F. de Lope and N. Saino for field material and an anonymous referee for com¬
ment on earlier version of the paper. MS and
PT w e r e partially supported b y UAM-AM grant (PU I I / 1 7 ) a n d UAM grant ( 2 0 6 / 2 0 0 0 ) . MS was supported by the Foundation for Polish S c i e n c e ( 2 0 0 2 ) .
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2 0 Mémoire Parasite, 2 0 0 3 , 10, 1 7 - 2 0
