Investigation on ectoparasitic mites on rodents in Sanduao island of Fujian province

Objective To investigate the distribution of gamasid mites and chigger mites on rodents in Sanduao island of Fujian.Methods Rodents were captured alive with cages,and the mites parasitized on the rodent were collected and identified.Results 6769 gamasid mites collected belonged to 4 family,8 genus and 13 species,and 31 580 chigger mites collected belonged to 1 family,2 genus and 6 species.The density of gamasid mites parasitized on Niniventer fulvescens was the highest,and the dominant mite species were Laelaps turkestanicus and L.fukienensis.The infested rate and the infested index of chigger mites to Rattus rattoides and N.fulvescens was all higher,and the dominant species parasitized on R.rattoides was Leptotrombidium scutellare and that on N.fulvescens was L.pallidum.The infested rate of gamadis mites to R.rattoides in bushes and mountainous regions was 86.67% and the infested index was 9.99,which were higher compared to the infested rate of 68.57% and the infested index of 6.86 in paddy fields.The infested rate of chigger mite to R.rattoides in bushes and mountainous was 93.14% and the infested index was 128.30,which were higher compared to the infested rate of 36.90% and the infested index of 29.03 in paddy fields.L.echidninus and L.nuttalli appeared in the whole year without obvious seasonal changes.L.fukienensis,L.turkestanicus,L.scutellare,L.pallidum,Doloisia guangdongensis and L.allosetnm were all active in winter and spring while Haemolaelaps chinensis only appeared in winter,and L.deliense appeared in summer and autumn when the temperature was comparatively higher.Conclusion 13 species of gamasid mites and 6 species of chigger mites were found on the rodents in Sanduao island,and the changes of species composition and population density was affected by host,habitats and seasons.