Morphometrical Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Rhinonyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) Parasitizing Avian Hosts: New Molecular Data.

Members of the family Rhinonyssidae are tiny hematophagous endoparasitic mites that inhabit the nasal cavities of birds and can cause trauma to their hosts. Traditionally, identifying species in this group has relied on observing their morphometrical characteristics. Nevertheless, determining species within this particular group has become more challenging due to the rising number of newly discovered species.

[Ticks (Acarina: Ixodidae) as vectors and reservoirs of pathogen microorganisms in Spain].

Hard and soft-ticks are obligate haematophagous arachnids of medical and veterinary significance mainly because of the animal disease agents transmitted by them, which include an array of different pathogens (virus, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes). Ticks transmit microbes by several routes including salivary secretions, coxal fluids, regurgitation and faeces. Among the biological factors that contribute to the high vector potential of ticks are their living habits and characteristic properties of their saliva secretions and blood digestion.