Demodex phocidi (Acariformes: Demodecidae) from Phoca vitulina (Carnivora: Phocidae) – the second observation in the world and a supplement to the species description

• Main Authors: Izdebska, Joanna N., Rolbiecki, Leszek, Cierocka, Karolina, Pawliczka, Iwona
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wydział Oceanografii i Geografii Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego 2020
• Subjects: Demodecid mites; Pinnipedia; harbor seal; marine mammals; Baltic Sea; Phoca vitulina; Mite
• Online Access: https://czasopisma.bg.ug.edu.pl/index.php/oandhs/article/view/7752

The present study describes a finding of the demodecid mite Demodex phocidi in the seal Phoca vitulina in the Baltic Sea. This is the first identification in Europe and the second in the world. This is also the first observation of the Demodecidae family in the pinnipeds outside North America. A high density of demodecid mites was observed in the skin of the examined seal, but no symptoms of parasitosis were observed. Our findings also supplement the taxonomic description and morphometry of D. phocidi. The present study describes a finding of the demodecid mite Demodex phocidi in the seal Phoca vitulina in the Baltic Sea. This is the first identification in Europe and the second in the world. This is also the first observation of the Demodecidae family in the pinnipeds outside North America. A high density of demodecid mites was observed in the skin of the examined seal, but no symptoms of parasitosis were observed. Our findings also supplement the taxonomic description and morphometry of D. phocidi.