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Mites (acari) infesting commensal rats in Suez Canal zone, Egypt
G A el Kady1, A Shoukry, D A Ragheb
1Department of Plant Protection, Faculties of Agriculture, Suez Cana University, Egypt.
Abstract:
Mites are arthropods distinguished from ticks by usually being microscopical in size and have a hypostome unarmed with tooth-like anchoring processes. They are group in a number of suborders, each with super-families and families including many genera of medical and economic importance. In this paper, commensal rodents (Rattus norvegicus, R. r. alexandrinus and R. r. frugivorous) were surveyed in the Suez Canal Zone for their acari ectoparasites. Four species of mites were recovered. In a descending order of mite indices, they were Eulaelaps stabularis (4.83 on 6 rats), Laelaps nuttalli (3.11 on 27 rats), Ornithonyssus bacoti (1.66 on 9 rats) and Dermanyssus gallinae (0.66 on 24 rats). The overall mite indices in the three governorates were 3.66 in Suez, 2.82 in Ismailia and zero in Port Said. The medical and economic importance of the mites were discussed.
Insights
This study identified four mite species on rodents in the Suez Canal Zone, with Eulaelaps stabularis being the most prevalent ectoparasite. Findings highlight the medical and economic significance of these mites.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Parasitology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Mites are microscopic arthropods with significant medical and economic importance.
- Commensal rodents act as hosts for various ectoparasites, including mites.
- Rodent populations in the Suez Canal Zone harbor ectoparasitic mites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey ectoparasitic mites on commensal rodents in the Suez Canal Zone.
- To identify mite species and their prevalence on Rattus norvegicus, R. r. alexandrinus, and R. r. frugivorous.
- To discuss the medical and economic implications of the identified mite species.
Main Methods:
- Rodent ectoparasites were collected from commensal rodents in the Suez Canal Zone.
- Mites were identified to species level.
- Mite indices and prevalence were calculated for each species and governorate.
Main Results:
- Four mite species were recovered: Eulaelaps stabularis, Laelaps nuttalli, Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Dermanyssus gallinae.
- Eulaelaps stabularis showed the highest mite index (4.83), followed by Laelaps nuttalli (3.11).
- Mite indices varied across governorates, with Suez (3.66) and Ismailia (2.82) showing higher prevalence than Port Said (0).
Conclusions:
- The study identified key mite species infesting rodents in the Suez Canal Zone.
- The prevalence and distribution of these mites underscore their potential public health and economic impact.
- Further research is warranted to assess the specific disease transmission risks associated with these mites.