Quill mites in Brazilian psittacine birds (Aves: Psittaciformes).
The primary and secondary feathers of 170 Brazilian psittacine birds (Aves: Psittaciformes) were examined in order to identify feather quill mite fauna. Birds were held captive in two locations in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), and two in the state of Espirito Santo (ES). The quills were cut longitudinally and were examined under optical microscopy. The genus of quill mites most frequently found was Paralgopsis (Astigmata: Pyrogliphidae), followed by Cystoidosoma (Astigmata: Syringobiidae). Astigmata: Syringophilidae mites were sporadically observed. After analyzing the data using logistic regression models, it was determined that there was higher infestation risk for psittacines in ES state, as compared with those in MG, and a significant increase in risk depending on the psittacine host species. However, the location of captivity did not have a significant effect. Lesions were observed in infested feathers. Cystoidosoma sp. and Paralgopsis sp. were always observed together, with parts of Paralgopsis found inside Cystoidosoma sp., suggesting thanatochresis or predation.
Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, Caixa Postal 567, CEP 30123-970, Campus da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Cassius Catão Gomes
CC
Jardim
Lucas Maciel
LM
Cunha
Leandro do Carmo
Ldo C
Rezende
Cristina Mara
CM
Teixeira
Nelson Rodrigo da Silva
NR
Martins
Paulo Roberto
PR
de Oliveira
Romário Cerqueira
RC
Leite
João Luiz Horácio
JL
Faccini
Rômulo Cerqueira
RC
Leite
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005241:Feathers / Q000469:parasitology*; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011563:Psittaciformes