Demodex cricetuli: new species of hair follicle mite (Acari: Demodecidae) from the Armenian hamster, Cricetulus migratorius (Rodentia: Cricetidae).

Demodex cricetuli sp. nov. is described, in all life stages, from the Armenian hamster, Cricetulus migratorius. This demodecid inhabits the hair follicles of all body regions of the host. Heavy infestations are associated with dermatitis and alopecia. Demodex cricetuli is most similar to D. aurati, from the Golden hamster, but adults differ in podosomal length, shape of the opisthosomal terminus, genital opening and opisthosomal organ of the male, and overall length-to-width ratios.