Clifford E. Desch

Demodex injai: a new species of hair follicle mite (Acari: Demodecidae) from the domestic dog (Canidae).

Abstract Demodex injai sp. nov. is described from the hair follicles of a domestic dog in Columbus, OH in October 1996. The mites occupy follicles from the orifice down to and into the sebaceous glands. The individual host may harbor both this new species and D. canis. A comparison of these two species is provided for identification purposes.

Human hair follicle mites and forensic acarology

The hair follicle mites of the genus Demodex (Demodecidae) were first discovered in humans in 1841. Since then, members of this host-specific genus have been found in 11 of the 18 orders of eutherian mammals with most host species harboring two or more species of Demodex. Humans are host to D. folliculorum and D. brevis. The biology, natural history, and anatomy of these mites as related to their life in the human pilosebaceous complex is reviewed. This information may provide insight into the application of Demodex as a tool for the forensic acarologist/entomologist.

Description of Ophthalmodex apodemi SP.N. (Acari: Demodecidae) from the ocular area of Apodemus Sylvaticus (Rodentia: Muridae) with notes on pathogenicity

ABSTRACT Ophthalmodex apodemi sp.n. is described from the ocular area of Apodemus sylvaticus taken in Czechoslovakia. This is the first report of the genus Ophthalmodex from rodents. Most mites were located in the lacrimal ducts plugging and dilating the lumen; there was some hyperplasia of the duct epithelium or its flattening due to pressure atrophy as well as some cellular destruction in places of close apposition of the mite mouthparts or legs against the epithelium. Some mites were found in loose accumulations of desquamated epithelial cells in the conjunctival sac. The histopathological findings suggest that massive infestations may cause a severe impairment of the lacrimal function. O. apodemi appears to be in a more internal localization than has been reported for Ophthalmodex species from bats.

Description of a hair follicle mite (Acari: Demodecidae) parasitic in the earless seal family Phocidae (Mammalia: Carnivora) from the harbor seal Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758

Abstract Demodex phocidi n. sp. is described (all life stages) from a captive Atlantic harbor seal, Phoca vitulina, from Seward, Alaska. This is the first description of a demodecid hair follicle mite from the earless seal family Phocidae. The mites reside in the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles and are associated with persistent areas of hyperkeratosis.

Description of two new species of the genus Demodex owen, 1843 (Acari: Demodecidae) associated with mexican bats

Abstract Three new species of the genus Demodex Owen, 1843 in bats Artibeus aztecus and Plecotus mexicanus from San Josecito, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, were found and two of these are described. This is the first record of demodecid mites taken from bats in Mexico and also from these two host species. In A. aztecus the mites were squeezed from eyelids exhibiting gross pathologic damage.

Demodex aries sp. nov., a sebaceous gland inhabitant of the sheep Airs aries, and a redescription of Demodex ovis Hirst, 1919

Abstract Demodex aries sp. nov. is described from the large perivulvar sebaceous glands of the sheep, Ovis aries. This hair-follicle mite was found in 24% of 25 hosts examined. All hosts were healthy and free of gross dermatological problems. Demodex aries is apparently a low-grade pathogen. A redescription of D. ovis Hirst, 1919 is provided for purposes of distinguishing the two sheep-infesting species.

Two new species of Demodex (Acari: Demodicidae) from the New Zealand short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata Gray, 1843 (Chiroptera: Mystacinidae)

Abstract Demodex mystacina sp. nov. is described from the Meibomian glands of New Zealand’s lesser short-tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata. A second species, D. novazelandica, from the same host is described from the follicles of the body hairs. Observations are presented as to the infestation loci of these mites in the pilosebaceous complex. Neither parasite was associated with any obvious pathology. The Meibomian glands of the host are briefly described.

Studies in symbiosis: hair follicle mites of mammals and man

A programme of study using hair follicle mites of man, dog, and other mammals is presented which has been successful in stimulating student interest in symbiosis. Brief background information on these mites, with illustrations, is provided as well as details of laboratory procedures for secondary school through college level classes. Suggestions for more advanced or independent studies using these mites are also made so that exceptional, career-oriented students and their teachers can explore adaptations to symbiosis in depth.

Parasitic mites of Surinam XXXV: Two new Ophthalmodex spp. (O. Carolliae, O. Molossi: Demodicidae) from the bats Carollia perspicillata and Molossus molossus

ABSTRACT Ophfhalmodex carolliae from Carollia perspicillata and O. molossi from Molossus molossus, both mites obtained from the ocular cavities? are described. As in O. artibei Lukoschus and Nutting, both new species are markedly modified for survival as free-ranging demodicids in eyelid fornices or upon the cornea. Pathogenesis due to O. carolliae is limited to moderate roughening (by claws?) of the corneal epithelium, derangement (in feeding?) of conjunctival cells to the dermis, and apparent loosening and loss of epithelial-conjunctival cells. Ophthalmodex spp. appear host species specific: the two of phyllostomatids seem more closely related than either to that which parasitizes the molossid bat.

Two new species of Demodex owen, 1843, the hair follicle mites (Demodecidae), from the dzungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus (Pallas, 1773) (Rodentia: Muridae)

Abstract Two new species of hair follicle mites, Demodex phodopi n. sp. and D. sungori n. sp., are described from a laboratory colony of Dzungarian hamsters, Phodopus sungorus. all hamsters examined harbored D. phodopi and half also hosted D. sungori. No host individual was found with D. sungori only. Over 8,000 mites were examined with D. phodopi making up over 99% of the sample. Within the D. phodopi population, 98% of the individuals were adults.