Deutonymphs of Neottialges caparti Fain (Astigmata: Hypoderatidae) from North American Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)

Abstract

Deutonymphs of the mite family Hypoderatidae are subdermal parasites of vertebrates, primarily birds. Here we report the presence of deutonymphs of Neottialges caparti Fain (no common name) in the subcutis of Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus (L.)) from Atlantic Canadian waters. We observed mites in 39% of 90 birds whose skin samples were examined microscopically. Our observations represent both the first record of N. caparti in Northern Gannet from the western North Atlantic and the second report of N. caparti since its initial description in 1967 from two Northern Gannets in Belgium.