Feather Mites of the Genus Proterothrix Gaud (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from Parrotbills (Passeriformes: Paradoxornithidae) in China

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology Vol. 95; no. 5; pp. 1093 - 1107
• Main Authors: Mironov, S. V, Proctor, H. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society of Parasitologists 01.10.2009; Allen Press Inc
• Subjects: Aedeagus; animal morphology; animal taxonomy; Animals; Astigmata; Biological taxonomies; Bird Diseases - parasitology; Birds; China; descriptions; Diagnosis, Differential; ectoparasites; ECTOPARASITOLOGY; Feather mites; Feathers - parasitology; Female; Femur; Genitalia; geographical distribution; Legs; Male; Male animals; Mite Infestations - parasitology; Mite Infestations - veterinary; Mites; Mites - anatomy & histology; Mites - classification; Morphology; new host records; new species; Paradoxornis alphonsianus; Paradoxornis gularis; Paradoxornis verreauxi; Paradoxornis webbianus; Parasite hosts; Passeriformes; Passeriformes - parasitology; Proterothrix longicaula; Proterothrix paradoxornis; Proterothrix sarahbushae; Scapulars; Tarsus; Tibia; China; Madagascar
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/GE-1961.1

Three new species of the feather mite genus ProterothrixGaud, 1968 (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) are reported from parrotbills (Passeriformes: Paradoxornithidae) in China. We describe Proterothrix paradoxornis n. sp. from Paradoxornis webbianus (type host) and Par. alphonsianus, P. longicaula n. sp. from Par. gularis, and P. sarahbushae n. sp. from Par. verreauxi (type host) and Par. alphonsianus. These are the first records of mites of the Pterodectinae from the Paradoxornithidae. Within Proterothrix, the new species constitutes a distinct complex, characterized by the presence of a long, whip-like aedeagus and spindle-shaped setae e on tarsi I in males.