Morphological and molecular characterization of macronyssid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) parasites of bats from Brazil

• Grant number: 23/06748-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Grantee: Mariane Guerro de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Among the mites of medical and veterinary importance, the Macronyssidae family has not received due attention in Brazil, especially with regard to the participation of these mites in the epidemiological cycle of pathogens. Since the family has great importance, as they cause dermatitis in humans. The objective of the present study is based on the macronyssid mites' parasites of bats in Brazil, as well as their interactions with their hosts. Currently, there are 26 species of macronyssids identified for Brazil, 15 of which were collected from bats. The importance of these mites as potential vectors in the epidemiological cycle of pathogens has already been suggested by some authors. However, the role of these mites in the epidemiological chain has not yet been confirmed, much less their taxonomy and systematics is well established. Based on this, the present project aims at the detailed study of macronyssid mites parasitic on bats in Brazil, as well as an integrative analysis between the morphology and molecular of these mites.