Mesostigmatic mites (Acari) and fleas (Siphonaptera) associated with nests of mound-building mouse, Mus spicilegus Petényi, 1882 (Mammalia, Rodentia)

Altogether 27,097 individuals and 56 species of mesostigmatic mites, and 169 individuals and 6 species of fleas, were found in 14 subterraneous nests of mound-building mouse Mus spicilegus in Slovakia. The mites were found in all nests examined (200–5,200 individuals and 8–31 species in one nest). The most abundant and frequent species were edaphic Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (536 ind. per one nest), coprophilous Alliphis halleri (471 ind.), ectoparasites Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (350 ind.), Laelaps algericus (287 ind.), Haemogamasus nidi (94 ind.), and nidicolous Vulgarogamasus remberti (79 ind.). Occurrence of other mite species was considerably lower (less than 14 ind. per one nest). The most common flea species was Ctenophthalmus assimilis (9 ind. per one nest), which represented almost 80% of all individuals collected. According to trophic relations and habitat requirements, the recorded mite species were classified into ecological groups, which were used for a more detailed analysis of their relationships to the host and its nests. Parasitic mites were predominant (41.6% of individuals). Representation of other ecological group was as follows: edaphic species – 28.5%, coprophiles – 24.5%, nidicoles – 5.4%. Ectoparasites and nidicoles specific for the acarinium and siphonapterium of mole Talpa europaea, which constructs similar subterranean nests for overwintering as M. spicilegus, were not recorded. Acta Parasitologica, 2005, 50(3), 228–234; ISSN 1230-2821 Copyright © 2005 W. Stefañski Institute of Parasitology, PAS