Chigger Mites ( Hannemania cf. dunni ) Infest Northern Slimy Salamanders ( Plethodon glutinosus ) in Alabama, USA

摘要

Chiggers are the larval form of trombiculid and leeuwenhoekiid mites that parasitize terrestrialvertebrates. With one exception, species of chiggers that infest amphibians burrow under the skin to encapsulateand feed. They are detected by the naked eye as moving red or orange dots, swollen nodules, lesions, or pustules.Alabama, USA, has only one previous report of a chigger infested salamander. We examined 45 Northern SlimySalamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) from five localities in Jefferson or Shelby counties, Alabama and counted thenumber of chiggers in infested individuals. We found salamanders infested with mites at four of five localities, andwe identified the mite as Hannemania cf. dunni. The overall prevalence of infestation among the five localities was66.7%, the average abundance was 11.8 ± 2.1 (SE) and the mean intensity of infestation was 17.6 ± 2.6 (range, 1–52),which is the highest intensity reported in the Plethodon glutinosus complex. We found no relationship betweenbody size (snout-vent length, distance between limbs or weight) and infestation levels. Mites were not distributedequally across body regions; rather, the limbs and feet had more mites than either the tail or body. We foundrelatively fewer mites on the head, throat, and cloacal regions. Our report represents a new host and the secondrecord of this chigger for Alabama. Infestation reportedly negatively affects salamanders through physical damageto the limbs and body, reduces reproductive success, and may increase susceptibility to disease.