Morphological and molecular characterization of mite larvae of the Parasitengona group (Acari: Trombidiformes) found in cave environments

• Grant number: 24/16071-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Grantee: Gabriel Moreira de Ramos
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The species of the Parasitengona group (Trombidiformes) parasitize vertebrates and invertebrates and can cause a skin reaction in the host. Little is known about the geographic distribution in cave environments in Brazil and the real epidemiological and ecological role of these mites. It is worth mentioning that some species of the Trombiculidae family are vectors of tsutsugamushi, a human rickettsiosis caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. In addition to this bacterium, the presence of some pathogens and endosymbionts (Borrelia, Coxiella, Hepatozoon, Rickettsia, Spiroplasma and Wolbachia) have been detected in Parasitengona larvae in several places around the world. The present study aims to inventory these mites collected in Brazilian cave environments from materials deposited in the Acarological Collection of the Butantan Institute (IBSP). In addition, morphological and molecular data will fill different information gaps that exist in this group.