New records of Gigantolaelaps wolffsohni (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) in Chile, an ectoparasite of Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Rodentia: Cricetidae): ecological aspects and relation to body size and sex of their host

The Gigantolaelaps mites (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) are easily recognized by their large size. In Chile, wolffsohni is the only species and it has been reported from four localities, always in association with Oligoryzomys longicaudatus. Our research study aimed to contribute severely limited information about ecology distribution of G. Chile determine whether factors such as season, ecological region weight-and sex host influence abundance this mite. We captured assessed 329 O. longicaudatus different seasons localities. classified sampled localities being part Mediterranean, Template Forest, or Magellanic Forest ecoregion due genetic morphological differences between ecoregions. Information ecoregion, weight were recorded during mite sampling. These variables on prevalence through negative binomial logistic regression models. found 19 new where distributed Chile. displayed an aggregated all that biogeography, weight, not related wolffsohni. Nonetheless, we a strong season mites. All females; additionally, larva stage inside some female discussed relationship aspects ectoparasites. Also, finding larvae wolffsohni, which means specie at least larviparous, finally, discuss specificity Laelapidae