ISSN:
1572-9702
Keywords:
Erythraeidae
;
ectoparasitism
;
attachment sites
;
frequency distribution
;
Opiliones
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Host attachment sites and frequency distribution of parasitism were investigated for the larval erythraeid mite Leptus indianensis parasitising a sample of 500 harvestmen, Leiobunum formosum in Tennessee, USA. A significant difference was found in the number of mites attached to different body segments of the harvestmen with the greatest number of mites attached to femurs I–IV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mites attached to smooth areas of the host integument between rows of stout setae. The frequency distribution of mites parasitising the harvestman population was highly clumped (Coefficient of Dispersion = 3.34) with a relatively small number of hosts being parasitised by most of the mites.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026554308826
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