[Origin and evolution of parasitism in mites of the infraorder Eleutherengona (Acari: Prostigmata). Report II. Superfamily Cheyletoidea].
Cheyletoid mites are represented by two lineages being presumably monophyletic. The ancestor of Cheyletidae-Syringophilidae lineage probably was a predator preying on other arthropods. It is hypothesized that syringophilids originated from the common ancestor with Cheyletidae, which switched to preying in bird nests. In Cheyletidae, parasitism on birds and mammals originated independently in several phylogenetic lineages (tribes). All cheyletids are permanents ectoparasites, excluding mites of the tribe Chelonotini. In this tribe, immature instars and males are probably predators in squirrel nests. Cheyletoid lineage II is represented by exclusively permanent parasites of vertebrates belonging to three families Harpirhynchidae (Demodicidae-Psorergatidae). It is presumed from the wide distribution of these mites on birds (Harpirhynchidae) and mammals (Psorergatidae and Demodicidae), that the common ancestor of this branch could have occurred on the common ancestor of birds and mammals; however, switching during an early phase of host evolution can not be excluded. A possible reason for the absence of cheyletoids on recent reptiles (excluding snakes) involves peculiarities of their molting. The high probability of loss of mites during reptile molting seems to have prevented original establishment of cheyletoid parasites on these hosts. These mites are probably absent also on crocodilians because of their aquatic mode of life. In birds, the skin has undergone significant evolutionary changes comparable to what is seen in the integument of mammals. This probably allowed to some cheyletoid mites of the family Harpirhynchidae to transfer to intradermal parasitism in capsules similar to those induced by species of Psorergatidae. The indirect argument of the long-time parasitic relationships between vertebrates and cheyletoids serves a find of mite eggs on the dinosaur's feathers from Lower Cretaceous period (northeast Brazil) (Martill, Davis, 1998). Authors believed that these eggs were laid by feather mites (Astigmata: Psoroptidia). These rounded shape eggs, however, are more similar with those of Cheyletoidea, than with the boomerang-shape eggs of feather mites. The position of the subfamily Ophioptinae associated with snakes of the superfamily Colubroidea in the core of the family Harpirhynchidae (bird parasites) is explained by the switching of its ancestor from passerine birds. Certain snakes feed on nestlings and adult birds, and most of these preys are small passerine birds.
Bochkov
A V
AV
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008925:Mites / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000469:parasitology*