R Bassini-Silva1, F C Jacinavicius2, J A Mendoza-Roldan3, E Daemon4, D M Barros-Battesti1. 1. Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 (ricardo.silva@butantan.gov.br; jairo.roldan@butantan.gov.br; darci.battesti@butantan.gov.br) darci.battesti@butantan.gov.br. 2. Laboratório Especial de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 (fernando.jacinavicius@butantan.gov.br). 3. Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 (ricardo.silva@butantan.gov.br; jairo.roldan@butantan.gov.br; darci.battesti@butantan.gov.br). 4. Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n - Martelos, 36036-330 (erik.daemon@ufjf.edu.br).
Abstract
The chigger mite genus Blankaartia includes 28 known species, of which 10 are distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These species preferentially parasitize birds, but occasionally they can also be found on rodents, bats, and reptiles, showing low host selectivity. In the present study, we report the presence of this genus in Brazil for the first time, including the first report of Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch and Fauran) and the description of a new species of Blankaartia collected from birds (Order Passeriformes).
The chigger mite genus Blankaartia includes 28 known species, of which 10 are distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These species preferentially parasitize birds, but occasionally they can also be found on rodents, bats, and reptiles, showing low host selectivity. In the present study, we report the presence of this genus in Brazil for the first time, including the first report of Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch and Fauran) and the description of a new species of Blankaartia collected from birds (Order Passeriformes).