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Mites of the Genus Pteropimyobia Fain (Trombidiformes, Myobiidae) and Information on Host Taxonomy Deduced from Them

1986; American Society of Parasitologists; Volume: 72; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3281601

1937-2345

Kimito Uchikawa,

Study of Mite Species

Both sexes of 3 known species of mites of the genus Pteropimyobia Fain are redescribed or described. Two new species, Pteropimyobia paranyctimene n. sp. and Pteropimyobia melonycteris n. sp., are described on the basis of both sexes. Each of the 5 species known is regarded as being specific to host bat genera belonging to the subfamilies Nyctimeninae and Macroglossinae of the family Pteropodidae (Megachiroptera). Based on host-parasite associations within the mite genera Pteropimyobia and Binuncus Radford and the bat family Pteropodidae, the following 2 systematic problems are offered to chiropterologists for renewed studies: 1. Should Eonycteris and Megaloglossus be transferred from the subfamily Macroglossinae to Pteropodinae?, and 2. Do the differences between the subfamilies Nyctimeninae and Macroglossinae justify subfamily ranking? Some parasites have been used as indicators of systematic relationships among their hosts. Permanent ectoparasites are more advantageous for this than parasites that leave the host at some time in the life cycle. Mites of the family Myobiidae, permanent ec- toparasites that live on body fluids of hosts, have proved to be good indicators of host-parasite co- evolution (Fain, 1975) and in practical taxonomy and phylogeny of their hosts (Uchikawa and Ha- rada, 1981). Pteropimyobia Fain and Binuncus Radford are myobiid genera specific to bats of the family Pteropodidae or Megachiroptera. Taxonomic study of both these genera has just gotten under way. Recent data and records will be summarized in present and future papers in an effort to promote parasite systematics and ul- timately to shed light on current problems in host taxonomy.