First description of the deutonymphal stage of Laelaps mazzai (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae)

Abstract

Mites of the genus Laelaps Koch, 1836 (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) are distributed worldwide and are common ectoparasites of small mammals. Most Laelaps species have been described exclusively on the basis of the females, while males and immatures are known for only a few species. Until now, the immature stages of L. mazzai are unknown. Therefore, the aim of our study was to provide the first morphological description of the deutonymph of the species. The deutonymph of L. mazzai herein described is different from the other already described due to the dorsal chaetotaxy. The hypertrichous condition and the arrangement of setae in the dorsal shield, as well as the chaetotaxy of the coxae are identical to those in the females and males of L. mazzai. Those characteristics also distinguished L. mazzai from the other hypertrichous species, such as Laelaps navasi Fonseca, 1939, Laelaps surcomata Furman, 1972, and Laelaps valdevinoi Gettinger,1992. The results herein presented contributes to the knowledge of laelapids from the Neotropics.