Acari prostigmata (excluding Trombiculidae) parasitic on Australian vertebrates: an annotated checklist, keys and bibliography

Abstract

The prostigmatic mites (excluding Trombiculidae) parasitic on, or associated with, Australian vertebrates are reviewed, and keys and illustrations are provided to enable separation of all 45 genera and 121 species recognised. Two new species are described: Paraspeleognathopsis exaeta sp. nov. (Erynetidae), from the nasal passages of the marsupial Petaurus breviceps in New South Wales, and Radfordia hydromys Fain sp. nov. (Myobiidae). New synonymy in Ereynetidae: Boydaia Womersley, 1953 = Coboydaia Fain, 1971b; Neospeleognathopsis Fain, 1958b = Pteropignathus Fain & Lukoschus, 1979b; Psittaboydaia Fain, 1985 = Trichoglossiella Fain, 1985; in Myobiidae: Australomyobia dasycercus Fain, 1973a = A. d. antechinus Fain & Lukoschus, 1979d; Calcarmyobia miniopteris (Womersley, 1941a) = C. o. orianae Uchikawa, 1985c; Ewingana bispinosa Radford, 1948 = E. b. longispina Fain & Lukoschus, 1979c; Radfordia Ewing, 1938 = Pseudoradfordia Dubinin, 1957a = Syconycterobia Fain, 1973b; in Demodecidae: Demodex equi Railliet, 1893 = D. caballi Desch & Nutting, 1979a; D. ovis Railliet, 1893 = D. aries Desch, 1987; in Leeuwenhoekiidae: Odontacarus Ewing, 1929 = Leogonius Vercammen-Grandjean, 1968. A host-parasite list and bibliography are included.