Ornithonyssus

Authority:{{{subdivision_ranks}}}:

Ornithonyssus
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Mesostigmata
Family:	Macronyssidae

Ornithonyssus is a genus of parasitic mites belonging to the family Macronyssidae. These mites are ectoparasites, primarily infesting birds, but some species can also affect mammals, including humans. The genus includes several species of economic and veterinary importance, such as the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and the tropical fowl mite (Ornithonyssus bursa).

Description

Ornithonyssus mites are small, typically measuring less than 1 mm in length. They have a flattened body adapted for moving through the feathers of their avian hosts. The mites possess chelicerae that are adapted for piercing and sucking, allowing them to feed on the blood of their hosts. The color of these mites can vary from white to dark red, depending on whether they have recently fed.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Ornithonyssus mites includes egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult stages. The entire life cycle can be completed in as little as 5 to 12 days under optimal conditions, which include warm temperatures and high humidity. Eggs are laid in the environment, often in the nesting material of birds, and hatch into larvae that do not feed. The larvae molt into protonymphs, which begin feeding on the host. After further molting, they become deutonymphs and eventually adults, both of which are also blood feeders.

Hosts and Habitat

Ornithonyssus mites primarily infest birds, including poultry, wild birds, and pet birds. They are often found in the nests of their hosts, where they can survive for several weeks without a blood meal. In poultry farms, these mites can cause significant economic losses due to decreased egg production and increased susceptibility to disease in infested birds.

Medical and Veterinary Importance

Ornithonyssus mites are of concern in both veterinary and human medicine. In poultry, heavy infestations can lead to anemia, decreased egg production, and increased mortality. In humans, these mites can cause dermatitis, known as "gamasoidosis," when they bite, leading to itching and irritation. Control measures include environmental sanitation, chemical treatments, and biological control methods.

Species

Notable species within the genus Ornithonyssus include:

• Ornithonyssus sylviarum - Northern fowl mite
• Ornithonyssus bursa - Tropical fowl mite
• Ornithonyssus bacoti - Tropical rat mite

Also see

• Mite
• Ectoparasite
• Poultry farming
• Dermatitis