A pictorial key to the adult and larval nasal mites (Halarachnidae) of marine mammals

By

Shields, Morgan
Roth, Tara
Pesapane, Risa

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1216

Pages

101--114

Subjects

Acari , Dichotomous key , Halarachne halichoeri , Halarachne laysanae , Halarachne miroungae , Orthohalarachne attenuata , Orthohalarachne diminuata

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1216.135359

 

Abstract

Mites in the family Halarachnidae are common endoparasites infesting the nasal tissues of a variety of marine mammals. These mites are easily transmissible and compromise the health of their hosts, especially in captive environments. While these mites are noted by marine mammal caretakers, they may easily be misidentified due to repeated revisions to halarachnid mite taxonomy and reclassification of misidentified specimens. Species identification currently requires multiple taxonomic keys, knowledge of revisions to species classifications through time, and training in acarology, which is impractical for marine mammal clinicians. Therefore, to summarize the known taxonomy and aid in future identification of halarachnid mites, we present a pictorial key composed of illustrations based on existing literature and images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution light microscopy (LM). Illustrations are organized into flow charts for the identification of both adult and larval stages. Dorsal shield silhouettes are also provided to facilitate the identification of adults. We hope that this key be used to simplify future taxonomic research, provide a standard for species identification, and aid in the diagnosis of halarachnid infestations in captive and rehabilitated marine mammal populations.