Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes01:24

Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes

The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
Leishmaniasis01:30

Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
Microbes and Methanogenesis01:26

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Different cadaver astigmatan mites (Arthropoda: Acari) are designed to bite flesh differently.

Die Naturwissenschaften·2026
Same author

Correction: House dust mites in three contrasting climatic regions of Saudi Arabia.

Experimental & applied acarology·2026
Same author

House dust mites in three contrasting climatic regions of Saudi Arabia.

Experimental & applied acarology·2026
Same author

Stable isotope analysis of ectoparasites as a tool for understanding trophic interactions with mammalian hosts.

Medical and veterinary entomology·2025
Same author

The blood-sucking tick Ixodes hexagonus reveals dietary stable isotope signatures of mammalian hosts.

PloS one·2025
Same author

The evolutionary history and timeline of mites in ancient soils.

Scientific reports·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

DNA Extraction and Comparison Between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples
06:33

DNA Extraction and Comparison Between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples

Published on: May 3, 2024

Phoretic mites associated with animal and human decomposition.

M Alejandra Perotti1, Henk R Braig

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AS, UK. m.a.perotti@reading.ac.uk

Experimental & Applied Acarology
|June 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Phoretic mites, abundant arthropods on carcasses, can indicate the presence of their specific insect carriers and the time elapsed since death. Their rapid life cycles and diversity offer valuable forensic insights.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

DNA Extraction and Comparison Between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples
06:33

DNA Extraction and Comparison Between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples

Published on: May 3, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Entomology
  • Arthropod Ecology
  • Decomposition Studies

Background:

  • Phoretic mites are the most abundant arthropods on carcasses, often outnumbering their scavenger hosts.
  • Many phoretic mite species exhibit high host specificity, associating with particular insect or mammal carriers.
  • Over 212 phoretic mite species have been documented on carcasses, with Mesostigmata being the dominant group.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the ecological significance of phoretic mites in decomposition processes.
  • To explore the potential of phoretic mites as indicators of carrier presence and time since death.
  • To review the diversity and abundance of phoretic mites on carrion.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of phoretic mite species associated with carcasses.
  • Analysis of phoretic mite abundance, diversity, and host specificity.
  • Examination of mite life cycles and developmental stages in relation to decomposition.

Main Results:

  • Phoretic mites are highly specific to their carriers, making them valuable trace indicators.
  • Mites serve as temporal markers due to their faster development and generation cycles compared to hosts.
  • Mesostigmata (127 species) and Astigmata (52 species) are dominant groups, with specific families like Parasitidae and Macrochelidae being prevalent.

Conclusions:

  • Phoretic mite assemblages on carcasses provide crucial information about the conditions and timeline of death.
  • The specificity and rapid life cycles of phoretic mites enhance their utility in forensic investigations.
  • Further research into phoretic mite ecology can refine their application as forensic biomarkers.