# Contributions to the feather mite fauna (Acariformes: Astigmata) of birds (Aves) in Türkiye

Gökhan Eren, Bilal Dik

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## To cite this version:

Gökhan Eren, Bilal Dik. Contributions to the feather mite fauna (Acariformes: Astigmata) of birds (Aves) in Türkiye. Acarologia, 2025, 65 (4), pp.1302 - 1330. 10.24349/oxyf-grt1. hal-05426536

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# Contributions to the feather mite fauna (Acariformes: Astigmata) of birds (Aves) in Türkiye

Gökhan Eren IDª, Bilal Dik IDᵇ

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

Feather mite specimens (in tubes with 70% ethanol or mounted on permanent slides) stored as museum material in the laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University (Konya, Türkiye) have been examined. These specimens were collected from avian hosts (39 bird species from 11 orders) in seven different provinces of Türkiye in 2009-2021. As a result of the study, 50 species-level and four genus-level taxa of feather mite representing 12 mite families were identified. Among recovered feather mites, 30 species are new records for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye.

**Keywords** acarofauna; bird parasites; host-parasite associations; parasitic mites

### Introduction

Feather mites (Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) are that commensal or parasitic organisms living mainly on the feathers of birds and more rarely on the skin (Dermationidae, Epidermoptidae, and Laminosioptidae), and in the respiratory system (Cytoditidae and Turbinoptidae) of these hosts (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Dabert and Mironov 1999; Proctor 2003). Feather mites are generally highly host-specific species like other ectosymbionts of bird (e.g., chewing lice, parasitic mites).

Research on the biodiversity, taxonomy, and host-parasite associations of feather mites in Türkiye began much later compared to most other parts of the world (Doña et al. 2016; Eren et al. 2023). In recent years, the increasing interest in wildlife and parasites of wild vertebrate animals (such as mammals, birds, and reptiles) in the Turkish parasitological community (Keskin et al. 2017; Dik et al. 2023; Zerek et al. 2023; Eren and Açıcı 2025) has also raised studies on feather mites.

The present study reports the feather mites detected in the process of the ectoparasitological studies of birds in Türkiye conducted in 2009–2021. Feather mite species detected in the present study along with those reported in previous faunistic studies on these mites (Gürler et al. 2013; Özkan et al. 2017; Per and Aktaş 2018; Eren et al. 2021; Eren and Açıcı 2022; Eren et al. 2022, 2023, 2025), make the currently known feather mite fauna of Türkiye exceeding one hundred species.

### Materials and methods

The material for this study consists of mites collected from avian hosts during ecto-parasitological studies conducted in seven different provinces of Türkiye in 2009–2021. Most of the collected mite specimens were stored in Eppendorf tubes with 70% ethanol and were not identified. A

Received 07 March 2025
Accepted 14 October 2025
Published 19 December 2025

Corresponding author
Gökhan Eren ID:
gokhaneren54@gmail.com

Academic editor
Akashi Hernandes, Fabio

https://doi.org/10.24349/oxyf-grt1

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

Eren G. and Dik B.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

<footnote>ªDepartment of Aquatic Animal Health, Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production and Training Institute, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Antalya, Türkiye.</footnote>

<footnote>ᵇBeyhekim neighborhood, Karakoçlar street, 18/12, Selçuklu, Konya, Türkiye.</footnote>
tiny portion of the mite specimens was mounted on permanent glass slides and stored in the laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University (Konya, Türkiye). In the current study, all of these materials were carefully examined. The previously prepared permanent slides were directly examined under a light microscope, while the mite specimens preserved in ethanol were first cleared with lactophenol and then mounted on permanent slides using Hoyer's medium. Finally, all mite specimens were identified under a light microscope (CX23 Binocular Microscope, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) based on identification keys and illustrations from the relevant acarological literature (Hull 1934; Dubinin and Dubinina 1940; Dubinin 1951, 1953, 1956; Atyeo and Braasch 1966; Gaud 1966, 1968, 1980; Santana 1976; Černý 1982; Dabert 1987; Mironov 1981, 1985, 2002; Vasyukova and Mironov 1991; Mironov and Wauthy 2006; Burdejnaja and Kivganov 2009a; Mironov *et al.* 2015).

All feather mite specimens detected throughout the study were photographed with a camera integrated into the light microscope. In addition, representative permanent glass slides of each feather mite are deposited in the personal collections of Prof. Dr. B. Dik and Dr. G. Eren, the authors of this paper.

## Results and discussion

As a result of the microscopic examination of feather mites collected from 39 bird species representing 23 families belonging to 11 orders, 55 mite taxa were identified, including 50 at the species level and five at the genus level. The 55 identified feather mite taxa represent 12 families, and 30 species are new records for the feather mite fauna in Türkiye (Tables 1, 2).

### Family Alloptidae Gaud, 1957

The family, includes species that cause infestation in birds belonging to the orders Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Gaviiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes and Procellariiformes, and this family includes over 170 species in 29 genera, and four subfamilies (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Schatz *et al.* 2011). In the present study, were identified taxa from the genera *Alloptes* Canestrini, 1879 and *Dichobrephosceles* Peterson & Atyeo, 1968.

### Genus Alloptes Canestrini, 1879

The genus *Alloptes* currently contains over 50 species so far associated with birds of the families Alcidae, Chionididae, Dromadidae, Haematopodidae, Laridae, Recurvirostridae, Scolopacidae, and Stercorariidae (Charadriiformes) (Hernandes and Brito 2022; Han *et al.* 2021, 2022b) and is divided in four subgenera (Gaud 1972; Kivganov and Mironov 1992). Mites of the subgenus *Sternalloptes* are restricted to Laridae and Stercorariidae. In this study, a single female specimen collected from the white-winged tern *C. leucopterus* was identified as *Alloptes (Sternalloptes) gracilobus* (Fig. 1: A). This species has previously been reported from the same host in Yakutia (Russia) and along the coast of the Black Sea (Vasyukova and Mironov 1991; Kivganov 1996).

### Genus *Dichobrephosceles* Peterson & Atyeo, 1968

This genus consists of two species, *Dichobrephosceles actitidis* and *D. eroliae*. Both species were reported from members of the family Scolopacidae (Charadriiformes) (Peterson and Atyeo 1968). In the present study, *Dichobrephosceles actitidis*, was first detected on the Temminck's stint (*C. temminckii*) in Türkiye (Figs. 1: B-C). This mite species was originally described in Europe from the common sandpiper (*A. hypoleucos*) by Canestrini (1878). Later on, it was also reported in three *Calidris* species (*Calidris alpina*, *C. minuta*, and *C. temminckii*) in Europe (Trouessart 1885), and further on the Temminck's stint in Cameroon (Gaud and Mouchet 1957) and Korea (Han *et al.* 2022a).
<table><caption>**Table 1** Species of bird examined and feather mites species detected in the present study.</caption><thead><tr><th>Host species</th><th>Host family</th><th>Feather mite species</th><th>Location</th><th>Collection date</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Passeriformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Aegithalos caudatus</td><td>Aegithalidae</td><td>Anhemialges sp.<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus</td><td>Samsun</td><td>20.05.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Melanocorypha calandra</td><td>Alaudidae</td><td>Analges scleropus*</td><td>Iğdır</td><td>22.10.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Emberiza schoeniclus</td><td>Emberizidae</td><td>Analges nitzschi*<br>Proctophyllodes caulifer*<sup>C</sup><br>Proctophyllodes poublani*<sup>C</sup></td><td>Kars</td><td>25.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Hirundo rustica</td><td>Hirundinidae</td><td>Scutulanyssus hirundicola<br>Trouessartia appendiculata*<br>Trouessartia crucifera*<br>Trouessartia microcaudata</td><td>Kars</td><td>07.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Anthus spinoletta</td><td>Motacillidae</td><td>Analges sp.<br>Proctophyllodes schwerinensis*<br>Analges oscinum*<br>Proctophyllodes motacillae*</td><td>Kars</td><td>19.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Motacilla flava</td><td></td><td>Trouessartia rubecula</td><td>Kayseri</td><td>06.07.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Erithacus rubecula</td><td>Muscicapidae</td><td>Analges lusciniae*<br>Proctophyllodes lusciniae<br>Trouessartia swidwiensis*</td><td>Samsun</td><td>04.04.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Luscinia luscinia</td><td></td><td>Grallobia sp.<sup>C</sup></td><td>Kars</td><td>08.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Oriolus oriolus</td><td>Oriolidae</td><td>Analges dubinini*<br>Analges berlesei*<sup>C</sup></td><td>Iğdır</td><td>12.05.2021</td></tr><tr><td>Panurus biarmicus</td><td>Panuridae</td><td>Analges berlesei*<br>Turnotrogus pastoris*</td><td>Kayseri</td><td>07.07.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Passer hispaniolensis</td><td>Passeridae</td><td>Trouessartia rosterii*</td><td>Kayseri</td><td>06.07.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Pastor roseus</td><td>Sturnidae</td><td>Trouessartia rosterii*</td><td>Kars</td><td>30.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Sturnus vulgaris</td><td></td><td></td><td>Iğdır</td><td>14.05.2021</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Konya</td><td>11.01.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Acrocephalus arundinaceus</td><td>Sylviidae</td><td>Analges berlesei*<br>Dolichodectes edwardsi<br>Trouessartia trouessarti<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus<br>Trouessartia bifurcata</td><td>Kars</td><td>28.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Acrocephalus melanopogon</td><td></td><td>Analges acanthitibius*<br>Dolichodectes edwardsi<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus</td><td>Kars</td><td>27.05.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Acrocephalus schoenobaenus</td><td></td><td>Analges acanthitibius*<br>Dolichodectes edwardsi<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus<br>Trouessartia kratochvili</td><td>Kars</td><td>26.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Acrocephalus scirpaceus</td><td></td><td>Analges acanthitibius*<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus<br>Trouessartia kratochvili</td><td>Kayseri</td><td>05.07.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Locustella luscinioides</td><td></td><td>Analges acanthitibius*<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus<br>Trouessartia kratochvili</td><td>Kars</td><td>25.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Sylvia melanocephala</td><td></td><td>Analges acanthitibius*<br>Proctophyllodes clavatus<br>Trouessartia inexpectata</td><td>Samsun</td><td>08.05.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Turdus merula</td><td>Turdidae</td><td>Proctophyllodes weigoldi*</td><td>Samsun</td><td>31.03.2015</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Piciformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Dendrocopos syriacus</td><td>Picidae</td><td>Pteronyssus robini*</td><td>Iğdır</td><td>07.05.2016</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Strigiformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Athene noctua</td><td>Strigidae</td><td>Dermonoton parallelus<br>Kramerella lunulata</td><td>Eskişehir</td><td>20.04.2017</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Ciconiiformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Ciconia nigra</td><td>Ciconiidae</td><td>Freyanopterolichus pelargicus*</td><td>Konya</td><td>10.06.2016</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Suliformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Phalacrocorax carbo</td><td>Phalacrocoracidae</td><td>Scutomegninia phalacrocoracis</td><td>Konya</td><td>12.12.2018</td></tr><tr><td colspan="5"><strong>Charadriiformes</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Chlidonias leucopterus</td><td>Laridae</td><td>Alloptes (Sternalloptes) gracilobus*</td><td>Kars</td><td>25.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Calidris pugnax</td><td>Scolopacidae</td><td>Avenzoaria philomachii*<br>Ingrassia philomachi*</td><td>Kars</td><td>17.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Calidris minuta</td><td></td><td>Ingrassia tringae*</td><td>Kars</td><td>17.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Calidris temminckii</td><td></td><td>Avenzoaria calidridis*<br>Dichobrephosceles actitidis*</td><td>Kars</td><td>22.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Tringa glareola</td><td></td><td>Avenzoaria totani</td><td>Kars</td><td>30.09.2009</td></tr><tr><td>Tringa ochropus</td><td></td><td>Pseudavenzoaria ochropodis*</td><td>Kayseri</td><td>05.07.2015</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>**Table 1** Continued.</caption><thead><tr><th>Host species</th><th>Host family</th><th>Feather mite species</th><th>Location</th><th>Collection date</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Gruiformes</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Crex crex</td><td>Rallidae</td><td>Grallobia rallorum*<br>Metanalges crexi*</td><td>Konya</td><td>25.04.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Gallinula chloropus</td><td></td><td>Grallolichus proctogamus*<br>Metanalges grossus*<br>Megniniella gallinulae*</td><td>Konya</td><td>22.03.2016</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Cuculiformes</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cuculus canorus</td><td>Cuculidae</td><td>Coraciacarus cuculi*</td><td>Kars<br>İğdır</td><td>26.05.2015<br>05.05.2021</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Podicipediformes</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Podiceps cristatus</td><td>Podicipedidae</td><td>Ptiloxenus major</td><td>Konya</td><td>15.10.2015</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Galliformes</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alectoris chukar</td><td>Phasianidae</td><td>Pseudolichus solutocurtus</td><td>Eskişehir</td><td>15.12.2015</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Anseriformes</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Anas penelope</td><td>Anatidae</td><td>Vingrassia velata*</td><td>Konya</td><td>12.06.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Aythya ferina</td><td></td><td>Freyana nyrocae</td><td>Konya</td><td>12.06.2016</td></tr><tr><td>Melanitta fusca</td><td></td><td>Ptiloxenus major<sup>C</sup></td><td>Konya</td><td>01.11.2015</td></tr><tr><td>Spatula clypeata</td><td></td><td>Freyana anatina*</td><td>Adana</td><td>20.12.2016</td></tr></tbody></table>

Remarks: *—new record for the fauna of Türkiye; C—contamination.

<table><caption>**Table 2** Taxonomic list of feather mites detected in the study.</caption><thead><tr><th>Family</th><th>Genus</th><th>Species</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="3">Analgidae</td><td>Analges</td><td>Analges acanthitibius Mironov, 1985, A. berlesei Mironov, 1985, A. dubinini Mironov, 1985, A. lusciniae Mironov, 1985, A. nitzschi Haller, 1877, A. oscinum Koch, 1841, A. scleropus Gaud, 1974, and Analges sp.</td></tr><tr><td>Anhemialges</td><td>Anhemialges sp.</td></tr><tr><td>Megniniella</td><td>Megniniella gallinulae (Buchholz, 1869)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Alloptidae</td><td>Metanalges</td><td>Metanalges crexi Mironov, 1981, and M. grossus (Berlese, 1898)</td></tr><tr><td>Alloptes</td><td>Alloptes (Sternalloptes gracilobus Vasyukova & Mironov, 1991)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Avenzoariidae</td><td>Dichobrephosceles</td><td>Dichobrephosceles actitidis (Canestrini, 1878)</td></tr><tr><td>Avenzoaria</td><td>Avenzoaria calidridis (Oudemans, 1904), A. philomachii Dubinin, 1951, A. totani (Canestrini, 1878)</td></tr><tr><td>Pseudavenzoaria</td><td>Pseudavenzoaria ochropodis (Hull, 1934)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Proctophyllodidae</td><td>Scutomegninia</td><td>Scutomegninia phalacrocoracis Dubinin and Dubinina, 1940</td></tr><tr><td>Dolichodectes</td><td>Dolichodectes edwardsi (Trouessart, 1885)</td></tr><tr><td>Proctophyllodes</td><td>Proctophyllodes caulifer Trouessart, 1887, P. motacillae Gaud, 1953, P. poublani Gaud, 1957, P. schwerinensis Černý, 1982, P. weigoldi Vitzthum, 1922, and Proctophyllodes sp.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Pteronyssidae</td><td>Pteronyssus</td><td>Pteronyssus robini (Faccini and Atyeo, 1981)</td></tr><tr><td>Scutulanyssus</td><td>Scutulanyssus hirundicola Mironov, 1985</td></tr><tr><td>Sturnotrogus</td><td>Sturnotrogus pastoris (Mironov, 1987)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Trouessartiidae</td><td>Trouessartia</td><td>Trouessartia appendiculata (Berlese, 1886), T. bifurcata (Trouessart, 1884), T. crucifera Gaud, 1957, T. inexpectata Gaud, 1957, T. kratochvili Černý, 1979, T. microcaudata Mironov, 1983, T. rosterii (Berlese, 1883), T. rubecula Jabłońska, 1968, T. swidwiensis Jabłońska, 1968, T. trouessarti Oudemans, 1904</td></tr><tr><td>Ingrassia</td><td>Ingrassia philomachi Gaud, 1972, I. tringae Vitzthum, 1922</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">Xolalgidae</td><td>Vingrassia</td><td>Vingrassia velata (Mégnin, 1877)</td></tr><tr><td>Freyana</td><td>Freyana anatina (Koch, 1844), F. nyrocae Dubinin, 1950</td></tr><tr><td>Gabuciniidae</td><td>Coraciacarus</td><td>Coraciacarus cuculi (Mégnin & Trouessart, 1884)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Kramerellidae</td><td>Dermonoton</td><td>Dermonoton parallelus (Mégnin & Trouessart, 1884)</td></tr><tr><td>Freyanopterolichus</td><td>Freyanopterolichus pelargicus (Mégnin & Trouessart, 1884)</td></tr><tr><td>Kramerella</td><td>Kramerella lunulata (Haller, 1878)</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">Pterolichidae</td><td>Grallobia</td><td>Grallobia rallorum (Robin & Mégnin, 1877), Grallobia sp.</td></tr><tr><td>Grallolichus</td><td>Grallolichus proctogamus (Trouessart, 1885)</td></tr><tr><td>Pseudolichus</td><td>Pseudolichus solutocurtus (Dubinin, 1956)</td></tr><tr><td>Ptiloxenidae</td><td>Ptiloxenus</td><td>Ptiloxenus major (Mégnin and Trouessart, 1884)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Family Analgidae Trouessart & Mégnin, 1884

Mites of this family, associated with hosts belonging to a very wide spectrum of orders, ranging
from the most archaic (Apterygiformes) to passerines (Passeriformes). More than 200 species
in 34 genera and seven subfamilies have been described in studies conducted so far (Gaud and
Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2019; Schatz et al. 2011; Mironov 2021; Waki et al. 2024; Mironov
et al. 2024). In the present study, ten species-level taxa and two genus-level taxa from four
genera of this family were identified (Tables 1 and 2).

Genus Analges Nitzsch, 1818

This genus includes over 60 species associated exclusively with birds of the order Passeriformes (Mironov 2019). To date, four species, *Analges mucronatus* from the great tit *Parus major*, *A. passerinus* from the Eurasian siskin *Carduelis spinus* and the common chaffinch *Fringilla coelebs*, *A. spiniger* from Cetti's warbler *Cettia cetti* and typical warblers (*Sylvia atricapilla*, *S. borin*, and *S. communis*), *A. turdinus* from Eurasian Blackbird *Turdus merula*, and one unidentified *Analges* sp. from the European goldfinch *Carduelis carduelis* and the coal tit *Periparus ater* have been previously reported from Türkiye (Gürler *et al.* 2013; Per and Aktaş 2018; Eren and Açıcı 2022; Eren *et al.* 2022, 2025; Eren 2025). Seven *Analges* species identified in the present study are new records for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye. *Analges acanthitibius*, detected on the sedge warbler *Acrocephalus schoenobaenus* in this study (Figs. 2: A-B), has also been reported on the same host in Bulgaria, Czechia, and Russia (Mironov 1985; Černý 1990; Kolarova and Mitov 2008). *Analges berlesei* (Figs. 2: C-D) was detected on the great reed warbler *Acrocephalus arundinaceus* and the Spanish sparrow *Passer hispaniolensis* in this study; however, the record from the Spanish sparrow was obviously the case of contamination. In previous studies, this species has been reported from the same host in Bulgaria, Czechia, and Russia (Mironov 1985; Černý 1990; Kolarova and Mitov 2008). *Analges dubinini*, detected on the bearded reedling *Panurus biarmicus* in this study (Figs. 3: A-B), has also been reported from Czechia and Russia on the same host in previous studies (Mironov 1985; Černý 1990). *Analges lusciniae* reported in this study from the thrush nightingale (*Luscinia luscinia*) (Fig. 3: C), was originally described from the same host in Russia (Mironov 1985). *Analges nitzschi* is a mite associated with birds of the genus *Emberiza*. This species, previously reported from various *Emberiza* species across many regions worldwide (Europe, Asia, and Oceania) (Haller 1882; Trouessart 1885; Chirov and Mironov 1983; Shumilo and Mironov 1984; Mironov 1996; Mironov and Galloway 2002b; Rubtsov and Yakimenko 2012; Mironov *et al.* 2023), was detected in this study on the common reed bunting *Emberiza schoeniclus* (Fig. 3: D). *Analges oscinum* is a mite associated with wagtails of the genus *Motacilla*. This species, previously reported from various wagtail species in many countries of Europe and Asia (Černy 1965; McClure *et al.* 1973; Arutunjan and Mironov 1983; Chirov and Mironov 1983; Shumilo and Mironov 1984; Černy 1990; Mironov, 1996; Mironov and Galloway 2002b; Rubtsov and Yakimenko 2012; Mironov *et al.* 2023), was also detected in this study on the Western yellow wagtail *Motacilla flava* (Fig. 4: A). *Analges scleropus* was first described by Gaud (1974) based on specimens collected from the crested lark *Galerida cristata* in Morocco. In the same study, it was also reported that specimens of this species were collected from the horned lark *Eremophila alpestris*. The association of *A. scleropus* with the calandra lark *Melanocorypha calandra* reported in this study represents a new host–parasite association for both Türkiye and the world (Fig. 4: B).

Genus Anhemialges Gaud, 1958

This genus currently comprises 11 species associated with birds of the order Passeriformes (Chang *et al.* 2018). As of now, there are no records of any species from this genus in the acarological literature of Türkiye. Due to the specimen being a deformed female, *Anhemialges* was identified only at the genus level (Fig. 5: A). However, considering the lengths and proportions of the dorsal macrosetae (d2 and e2) of the female specimen, it is highly likely that
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Alloptes (Sternalloptes) gracilobus* [female (A)] and *Dichobrephosceles actitidis* [female (B) and male (C)].</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Analges acanthitibius* [female (A) and male (B)] and *A. berlesei* [female (C) and male (D)].</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Analges dubinini* [female (A) and male (B)], *A. lusciniae* [female (C)], and *A. nitzschi* [male (D)]</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Analges oscinum* [male (A)] and *A. scleropus* [male (B)].</figcaption></figure>

this specimen represents *Anhemialges aegithalos* Chang, Wang & Liu, 2018, or a species very
close to this species.

Genus *Megniniella* Gaud, 1958

This genus comprises 10 species associated with members of the families Rallidae, Gruidae, and Musophagidae within the order Gruiformes (Mironov and Galloway 2002a; Mironov and Malovichko 2023). In the present study, *Megniniella gallinulae* was recorded for the first time in Türkiye on the common moorhen *Gallinula chloropus* (Figs. 5: B-C). In previous studies, this species has been reported from the same host in Europe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, and the Mariana Islands (Buchholz 1869; Bonnet 1924; Černý 1961; Gaud 1968; Siepel *et al.* 2016). Moreover, *M. gallinulae* has also been documented on the common gallinule *Gallinula galeata* in Cuba and Brazil (Černý 1967; Pedroso and Hernandes 2016) and on the lesser moorhen *Paragallinula angulata* in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe (Gaud 1968).

Genus *Metanalges* Trouessart, 1919

The genus *Metanalges* comprises 13 species associated with crakes and rails (Gruiformes: Rallidae) (Waki *et al.* 2024). Mites of this genus are reported herein for the first time in Türkiye. *Metanalges crexi* was recorded on the corn crake *Crex crex* in Türkiye (Figs. 5: D-E). In previous studies, this species has been reported from the same host in the European part of Russia (Mironov 1981). *Metanalges grossus* (Fig. 5: F), identified in this study on the
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** *Anhemialges* sp. [female (A)], *Megniniella gallinulae* [female (B) and male (C)], *Metanalges crexi* [female (D) and male (E)], and *M. grossus* [male (F)].</figcaption></figure>
common moorhen *G. chloropus* has previously been reported from the same host in Europe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa (Berlese 1898; Bonnet 1924; Gaud 1968; Mironov 1981).

## Family Avenzoariidae Oudemans, 1905

According to traditional and widely accepted taxonomic classification, this family is divided into three subfamilies, including Avenzoariinae (11 genera, approximately 50 species), Bonnetellinae (8 genera, approximately 45 species), and Pteronyssinae (18 genera, approximately 130 species) (Gaud and Atyeo 1981; Faccini and Atyeo 1981; Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Dabert and Mironov 1999). However, recently, the subfamily Pteronyssinae has also been considered as a separate family (family Pteronyssidae) (Mironov 1991; Dabert et al. 2001). From this perspective, members of the subfamilies Avenzoariinae and Bonnetellinae infest hosts belonging to aquatic orders such as Charadriiformes, Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes, and Ciconiiformes (Mironov 1991). In the present study, species from the two genera *Avenzoaria*, and *Pseudavenzoaria*, were identified.

## Genus Avenzoaria Oudemans, 1905

The genus includes 15 species associated with birds from the families Scolopacidae and Rostratulidae within the order Charadriiformes (Mironov and Dabert 1995; Badek and Dabert 2005). Three species were identified from this genus, two of which represent new records for the fauna of Türkiye: *Avenzoaria calidridis* (Figs. 6: A-B) from the Temminck's stint *Calidris temminckii* and *A. philomachii* (Fig. 6: C) from the ruff *Calidris pugnax*. The third species recovered by the present study (Table 1), *Avenzoaria totani*, has been reported from the wood sandpiper *Tringa glareola* in Türkiye two previous studies (Gürler *et al.* 2013; Eren *et al.* 2025). The *Avenzoaria calidridis* mite is common on sandpipers of the *Calidris* genus and has been reported from many sandpiper species from different geographies of the world (Dubinin 1951, 1956; Vasyukova and Mironov 1990, 1991; Dabert 2000; Sajakova 2000; Badek and Dabert 2005; Kivganov and Chernichko 2007; Gomes *et al.* 2015). *Avenzoaria philomachii* is a monoxenous mite associated with the ruff *Calidris pugnax* and has been reported so far only from the territory of the former USSR and Russia (Dubinin 1951, 1956; Vasyukova and Mironov 1990, 1991; Kivganov and Chernichko 2007).

## Genus *Pseudavenzoaria* Dubinin, 1951

*Pseudavenzoaria*, the second genus detected in this family, comprises two species, *P. ochropodis* and *P. indica* (Dubinin 1951; Dabert 2000). In the present study, *P. ochropodis* has been reported for the first time in Türkiye on its common host, the green sandpiper *T. ochropus* (Fig. 6: D). This mite species has been previously reported on the green sandpiper in Russia (Dubinin 1951, 1956; Vasyukova and Mironov, 1990), Kazakhstan (Sajakova 2000; Vasyukova and Mironov, 1990), and Turkmenistan (Kurbanova 1984).

## Genus *Scutomegninia* Dubinin, 1951

This genus includes 28 species identified in association with birds in the orders Pelecaniformes and Suliformes (Dubinin 1951; Mironov 1990; Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2000). In previous studies, only one species from this genus has been reported in Türkiye, *Scutomegninia phalacrocoracis* on the grey heron (*Ardea cinerea*) (Eren *et al.* 2023). This finding is considered a case of contamination. In the present study, *S. phalacrocoracis* has been detected on its natural host, the great cormorant *Phalacrocorax carbo*. This mite species has been reported many times from the great cormorant conducted worldwide (Dubinin and Dubinina 1940; Dubinin and Sosnina 1952; Mironov 1990, 2000; Han *et al.* 2017; Siepel *et al.* 2023).
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6** *Avenzoaria calidridis* [female (A) and male (B)], *A. philomachii* [male (C)], and *Pseudavenzoaria ochropodis* [female (D)].</figcaption></figure>
**Family Proctophyllodidae Trouessart & Mégnin, 1884**

This family is the largest feather mite family with over 500 species in 50 genera and two subfamilies (Proctophyllodinae and Pterodectinae) (Mironov 2009, 2012; Hernandes and Valim 2014). Proctophyllodidae is the feather mite family with the highest number of species reported in Türkiye (Eren and Açıcı 2022; Eren *et al.* 2025). In the present study, only representatives of the genera *Dolichodectes* Park et Atyeo, 1971 and *Proctophyllodes* Mégnin, 1877 have been recovered.

**Genus Dolichodectes Park & Atyeo, 1971**

The genus *Dolichodectes* contains 11 currently identified species, all associated with birds of the order Passeriformes in the Old World (Africa, Asia and Europe). Among these species, only *D. edwardsi* (Trouessart, 1885), *D. hispanicus*, Park & Atyeo, 1971, and *D. sibiricus* Mironov, 2023 are distributed in the Palearctic region (Mironov *et al.* 2010, 2015; Mironov 2023a; Constantinescu *et al.* 2018). *Dolichodectes edwardsi* detected in the present study is commonly associated with warblers of the genera *Acrocephalus* (Acrocephalidae) and *Phylloscopus* (Phylloscopidae) species (Park and Atyeo 1971; Mironov 1996). As in many studies in Europe and Africa (Gaud and Mouchet 1957; Gaud and Till 1961; Mironov 1996; Kolarova and Mitov 2008), *D. edwardsi* has previously been reported in Türkiye from the *Acrocephalus arundinaceus* and *A. schoenobaenus* (Gürler *et al.* 2013; Per and Aktaş 2018; Eren *et al.* 2025). In addition to these records, several unusual hosts were reported for this mite in Türkiye (*Cettia cetti* and *Sylvia melanocephala*) (Gürler *et al.* 2013) and Iran (*Passer montanus* and *Iduna pallida*) (Moodi *et al.* 2024).

**Genus Proctophyllodes Mégnin, 1877**

The most specious genus of all feather mites, *Proctophyllodes*, contains over 170 species mainly associated with passerine hosts (Atyeo and Braasch 1966; Mironov 2012; Klimov *et al.* 2017). Among the identified species in the present study, five species, *Proctophyllodes caulifer*, *P. motacillae*, *P. poublani*, *P. schwerinensis* and *P. weigoldi* are new records for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye. It is necessary to note that *Proctophyllodes caulifer* (Figs. 7: A-B) and *P. poublani* (Fig. 7: C) detected on the common reed bunting (*Emberiza schoeniclus*) in this study are definitely a contamination, because *P. poublani* commonly occurs only on pipits (Motacillidae: *Anthus* spp.) and *P. caulifer* on the bluetroat *Luscinia svecica* (Atyeo and Braasch 1966). *Proctophyllodes motacillae* is common to wagtails of the genus *Motacilla* (Atyeo and Braasch 1966; Mironov *et al.* 2023); in this study, it was detected on the western yellow wagtail *Motacilla flava* (Fig. 7: D). *Proctophyllodes schwerinensis* is also associated with pipits (Černý 1982), and in the present study, was also detected on the water pipit *Anthus spinoletta* (Fig. 7: E). In this study, *P. weigoldi* found on a blackbird *T. merula* has been recorded for the first time in Türkiye (Fig. 7: F); this mite has previously been reported on various thrushes of genus of *Turdus* worldwide (Atyeo and Braasch 1966; Wang and Fan 2010; Siepel *et al.* 2016; Metwally *et al.* 2019).

**Family Pteronyssidae Oudemans, 1941**

This family includes approximately 150 species within 23 genera, which are associated with birds of the orders Passeriformes, Piciformes, and Coraciiformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2003; Mironov and Wauthy 2005, 2006, 2008). In the present study, species from the three genera of this family, *Pteronyssus*, *Scutulanyssus*, and *Sturnotrogus*, have been detected.

**Genus Pteronyssus Robin, 1877**

The genus *Pteronyssus* contains six currently recognised species associated with four woodpecker genera, including *Dendrocopos*, *Melanerpes*, *Picus*, and *Picoides* (Faccini and Atyeo
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7** *Proctophyllodes caulifer* [female (A) and male (B)], *P. poublani* [male (C)], *P. motacillae* [male (D)], *P. schwerinensis* [female (E)], and *P. weigoldi* [male (F)].</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 8** *Sturnotrogus pastoris* [female (A) and male (B)].</figcaption></figure>

1981; Mironov 2002; Mironov and Galloway 2006). *Pteronyssus robini*, which we detected on the Syrian woodpecker (*Dendrocopos syriacus*), was previously recorded on the lesser spotted woodpecker (*Dryobates minor*) in a study conducted in Türkiye by Eren *et al*. (2025). This mite has previously been reported on various woodpeckers (*Dendrocopos* spp., *Dryobates* spp., and *Picus* spp.) in Switzerland, Moldova, and Russia (Mironov 2002).

**Genus Scutulanyssus Mironov, 1985**

This genus comprises approximately 15 described species associated with swallows from both the Old World and the New World (Mironov 1985, 1989; Gaud and Atyeo 1985; Mironov and Galloway 2006), and is represented by two species in Türkiye, including *Scutulanyssus hirundicola* on the barn swallow *Hirundo rustica* and *S. ottuki* on the Western house martin *Delichon urbicum* (Gürler *et al*. 2013; Eren 2025).

**Genus Sturnotrogus Mironov, 1989**

The genus *Sturnotrogus* consists of 13 species associated with starlings (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) (Mironov 1989). In this study, *Sturnotrogus pastoris* detected on the rosy starling *Pastor roseus* is reported for the first time in Türkiye (Figs. 8: A-B). In previous studies, this species has been reported on the rosy starling in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan and on the white-cheeked starling *Spodiopsar cineraceus* in the Russian Far East (Mironov 1987; Mironov and Wauthy 2006).
## Family Trouessartiidae Gaud, 1957

This family is one of the largest feather mite families, comprising over 217 described species in 11 genera, found mainly on hosts of the order Passeriformes, and also on birds from several non-passerine avian orders (Orwig 1968; Santana 1976; Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2022, 2023b; Mironov et al. 2023; Constantinescu et al. 2024; Mironov and Heleno 2025). A single genus *Trouessartia* currently represents this family in Türkiye. Only species of this genus was detected in this study.

## Genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899

This genus includes around 155 species, mostly monoxenous and mainly associated with passerines (Passeriformes) (Mironov 2022; Mironov and Galloway 2019; Mironov and Chandler 2020; Mironov and Dmitryukov 2025). *Trouessartia* is the second most genus after *Proctophyllodes* by the number of species reported from Türkiye. To date, eight species from this genus have been recorded in Türkiye: *Trouessartia bifurcata*, *T. inexpectata*, *T. jedliczkai*, *T. kratochvili*, *T. microcaudata*, *T. reguli*, *T. rubecula*, and *T. trouessarti* (Gürler et al. 2013; Per and Aktaş 2018; Eren 2025; Eren et al. 2025). Four of ten species identified in the present study represent new records for the fauna of Türkiye: *Trouessartia appendiculata* (Fig. 9: A) and *T. crucifera* (Fig. 9: B) from the barn swallow *Hirundo rustica*; *Trouessartia rosterii* from the European starling *Sturnus vulgaris* (Figs. 9: C-D); and *T. swidwiensis* from the thrush nightingale *Luscinia luscinia* (Figs. 9: E-F). *T. rosterii* has previously been reported on the European starling in various parts of the world, including Europe (Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ukraine), Asia (Russia, India), Africa (Morocco, South Africa), and North America (USA, Cuba) (Canestrini and Kramer 1899; Bedford 1932; Bonnet and Timon-David 1934; Boyd 1951; Gaud, 1957; Černý 1964, 1967; Vassilev and Kolebinova 1965; Santana 1976; Burdejnaja and Kivganov 2009b; Mironov et al. 2023). Similarly, *T. swidwiensis* has been reported on the bluetroat *Luscinia svecica*, the common redstart *Phoenicurus phoenicurus*, and the thrush nightingale in many regions of the world, including Europe (Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine), Africa (Algeria), and Asia (Russia) (Černý 1965; Jabłońska 1970; Santana 1976; Burdejnaja and Kivganov 2009b; Mironov et al. 2023). *Trouessartia appendiculata* is a widespread species associated with swallows of the genus *Hirundo*, and it has been reported from many regions of the world, mainly on the barn swallow *Hirundo rustica* (Santana 1976; Gaud and Atyeo 1986; Mironov and Galloway 2019). Similarly, *Trouessartia crucifera* has also been reported on the barn swallow in many regions of the world (Gaud 1957; Santana 1976; Arutunjan and Mironov 1983; Gaud and Atyeo 1986; Mironov and Galloway 2019).

## Family Xolalgidae Dubinin, 1953

The family includes over 150 species in 27 genera and three subfamilies (Ingrassiinae, Xolalginae, and Zumptiinae). Mites of this family are associated with hosts of many bird orders, both aquatic and terrestrial ones (Gaud and Atyeo 1981, 1996; Schatz et al. 2011). In the present study, species from the genera *Ingrassia* and *Vingrassia* have been identified.

## Genus Ingrassia Oudemans, 1905

The genus includes 30 species associated with hosts in the aquatic bird orders Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Pelecaniformes, Podicipediformes, Procellariiformes, and Sphenisciformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Stefan et al. 2013; Mironov et al., 2025). *Ingrassia philomachi*, which we detected for the first time in Türkiye on the ruff *Calidris pugnax* (Fig. 10: A), was originally described on the same host in Cameroon (Gaud, 1972). Later, it was reported on this host in Kyrgyzstan (Chirov, 1979; Chirov and Mironov 1990), the Baltic countries (Mironov 1981), Russia (Vasyukova and Mironov 1991) and Ukraine (Kivganov and Chernichko 2007). In the present study, *Ingrassia tringae*, which we detected for the first time in Türkiye on the little
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 9** *Trouessartia appendiculata* [male (A)], *T. crucifera* [male (B)], *T. rosterii* [female (C) and male (D)], and *T. swidwiensis* [female (E) and male (F)].</figcaption></figure>
stint *C. minuta* (Fig. 10: B), had previously been reported on this host in Russia (Vasyukova and Mironov 1990) and Ukraine (Kivganov and Chernichko 2007).

## Genus *Vingrassia* Vasyukova & Mironov, 1991

The genus includes two species associated with birds of the family Anatidae (Anseriformes): *Vingrassia velata* and *V. cygni* (Vasyukova and Mironov 1991; Mironov and Galloway 2002a; Galloway *et al.* 2014). In this study, we detected *V. velata* on the Eurasian wigeon *A. penelope* for the first time in Türkiye (Figs. 10: C-D). In previous studies, *V. velata* has been reported on the domestic duck *Anas platyrynchus domesticus* in Taiwan (Wang and Fan 2010), Chile (Salazar-Silva *et al.* 2025), Canada (Galloway *et al.* 2014), Russia (Vasyukova and Mironov 1990), Germany (Kutzer *et al.* 1965) and the Netherlands (Siepel *et al.* 2016).

## Family Freyanidae Dubinin, 1953

This feather mite family currently includes about 80 species in 17 genera and four subfamilies (Burhinacrinae, Diomedacrinae, Freyaninae, and Michaeliinae). These mites infest birds belonging to the order Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes, and Procellariiformes (Dubinin 1950; Gaud and Atyeo 1982, 1985, 1996; Schatz *et al.* 2011). Only two species, *Freyana anatina* and *F. nyrocae*, belonging to this family were detected in the present study.

## Genus *Freyana* Haller, 1877

The genus is the largest in the family and includes nearly 35 described species associated with hosts family Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans) (Gaud and Atyeo 1985; Calder 1986; Budde 1991; Vasyukova and Mironov 1991). The mite *Freyana anatina* has a cosmopolitan distribution because of association with ducks of the genus *Anas* sensu lato (*Anas*, *Mareca*, *Sibirionetta*, and *Spatula*). This mite species has been previously reported on various wild ducks (*Anas* sp.) in Türkiye (Aksın 2007). The record of *F. anatina* in the present study on the northern shoveler *Spatula clypeata*, is a new host-parasite association of this mite in Türkiye. Up to now, *F. anatina* has been almost worldwide, in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and Oceania (Dubinin 1953; Calder 1986; Dabert 1987; Budde 1991; Vasyukova and Mironov 1990, 1991; Mironov 1997; Dabert 2000; Mironov and Galloway 2002b; Galloway *et al.* 2014; Han *et al.* 2023). *Freyana nyrocae* has been reported in Türkiye on the red-crested pochard *Netta rufina* by Gürler *et al.* (2013). We in Türkiye, *F. nyrocae* on the common pochard (*A. ferina*) that is a new host-parasite association for this mite fauna in Türkiye. The *Freyana nyrocae* mite has a wide duck host range, similar to *F. anatina*. *Freyana nyrocae* has been reported from various species of diving duck of the genera *Aythya* and *Netta* almost worldwide Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania (Dubinin 1953; Calder 1986; Vasyukova and Mironov 1990, 1991; Galloway *et al.* 2014).

## Family Gabuciniidae Gaud & Atyeo, 1975

This feather mite family, comprising over 80 species in 16 genera, primarily infests hosts from the orders Accipitriformes and Falconiformes; however, members of some genera have been recorded on hosts belonging to the orders Caprimulgiformes, Coraciiformes, Cuculiformes, Musophagiformes, Otidiformes, Passeriformes, and Piciformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1975, 1996; Dabert and Alberti 2008; Mironov *et al.* 2014; Hernandes 2020). Only on species representing this family, *Coraciacarus cuculi*, has been found in the present study in Türkiye.

## Genus *Coraciacarus* Dubinin, 1956

The host range of the genus *Coraciacarus*, currently including nine species, is quite broad, and includes hosts belonging to the orders Cuculiformes, Coraciiformes, Musophagiformes, and
<figure><img src="image_13.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 10** *Ingrassia philomachi* [male (A)], *I. tringae* [male (B)], and *Vingrassia velata* [female (C) and male (D)].</figcaption></figure>
Passeriformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1975; Dabert and Alberti 2008). In the present study, only *Coraciacarus cuculi* has been detected, and this is a new record for the fauna of Türkiye (Fig. 11: A). In studies conducted to date, *Coraciacarus cuculi* has been reported from 19 cuckoo species from both hemispheres and belonging to the families Centropidae (*Centropus* spp.) (Radford 1958; Gaud and Mouchet 1959; Gaud and Till 1961; Gaud 1966) and Cuculidae (*Ceuthmochares*, *Chrysococcyx*, *Clamator*, *Cuculus*, and *Oxylophus*) (Mégnin and Trouessart 1884a; Hull 1934; Radford 1953, 1958; Dubinin 1956; Gaud and Mouchet 1959; Gaud and Till 1961; Gaud 1966; Gaud and Atyeo 1975; de Alzuet *et al.* 1988).

**Family Kramerellidae Gaud & Mouchet, 1961**

The family consists of over 50 species in seven genera, and members of this family are associated with birds belonging to the orders Ciconiiformes, Falconiformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes, and Strigiformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1996). In the present study, three species representing three genera (*Dermonoton*, *Freyanopterolichus*, and *Kramerella*) were identified from this family.

**Genus Dermonoton Gaud & Mouchet, 1959**

The genus *Dermonoton* comprises six species associated exclusively to owls (Strigiformes) (Mégnin and Trouessart 1884b; Gaud and Mouchet 1959; Gaud 1980). *Dermonoton parallelus*, which we detected on the little owl *Athene noctua* in the present study, was also reported in this host in previous studies conducted in Türkiye (Eren *et al.* 2025). This mite was originally described from Eurasian scops owl *Otus scops* (Canestrini and Kramer, 1899; Gaud 1980), and in the following years, it has also been reported on some large owl species (*Asio* spp. and *Bubo* spp.) in Africa (Gaud 1980; Philips 2000).

**Genus Freyanopterolichus Dubinin, 1953**

The genus *Freyanopterolichus* currently includes 10 species associated with birds from the orders Ciconiiformes (Ciconiidae), Gruiformes (Gruidae), and Pelecaniformes (Scopidae and Threskiornithidae) (Mégnin and Trouessart 1884c; Trouessart and Mégnin 1885; Dubinin 1953; Gaud and Mouchet 1959; Gaud 1982a, 1982b; Waki and Shimano 2022). In the present study, *Freyanopterolichus pelargicus* was detected on the black stork *C. nigra*, representing a new record for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye (Figs. 11: B-C). To date, this species has also been reported on various stork species (*Ciconia* spp.) worldwide (Dubinin 1953).

**Genus Kramerella Trouessart, 1916**

*Kramerella*, the third kramerellid genus we detected, currently includes 10 species associated excusively with birds of the order Strigiformes (Dubinin 1953; Gaud 1980; Černý and Wiesner 1992). This genus is represented in Türkiye by two species: *Kramerella aluconis* and *K. lunulata* (Eren *et al.* 2023); in the present study we detected only the latter.

**Family Pterolichidae Trouessart & Mégnin, 1884**

The family Pterolichidae, is one of the largest feather mite families, comprising approximately 400 species in 122 genera and four subfamilies. Members of this family infest birds belonging to the orders Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Coraciiformes, Cuculiformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Musophagiformes, and Psittaciformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Schatz *et al.* 2011). In the present study, only three genera from this family were identified: *Grallobia*, *Grallolichus* and *Pseudolichus* (Table 2).

**Genus Grallobia Hull, 1934**

The genus *Grallobia* includes 10 species associated with rails and crakes of the families Rallidae and Sarothruridae (Gruiformes) (Gaud 1968). To date, this genus was represented in
<figure><img src="image_14.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 11** *Coraciacarus cuculi* [male (A)], *Freyanopterolichus pelargicus* [female (B) and male (C)], and *Grallobia rallorum* [female (D)].</figcaption></figure>
Türkiye by a single species *Grallobia fulicae*, which was reported from is common host the Eurasian coot *Fulica atra* (Eren and Eren 2025). In this study, *Grallobia rallorum* has been detected on the corn crake *C. crex* that is a new record for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye (Fig. 11: D). This species has been reported from the same host species in previous studies in Europe, Asia and Africa (Bedford 1936; Dubinin 1951; Gaud 1968; Kolarova 2021).

## Genus *Grallolichus* Gaud, 1960

The genus *Grallolichus* consists of 16 species associated with members of the order Gruiformes (Heliornithidae, Rallidae and Sarothruridae) and Charadriiformes (Jacanidae) (Dabert 2024). This genus is represented by two species in Türkiye: *Grallolichus minutus* from the western swamphen *P. porphyrio* (Gürler *et al.* 2013) and *G. proctogamus* from the Eurasian coot *F. atra* (Eren and Eren 2025). In this study, *Grallolichus proctogamus*, which we detected on the common moorhen *G. chloropus*, is a new host-parasite association for the fauna of Türkiye. *Grallolichus proctogamus* has been mainly reported from the Eurasian coot in previous studies: Russia (Dubinin 1956), Bulgaria (Vassilev 1958), Czechia (Černý 1961), France (Gaud and Mouchet 1963), Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland) and Rwanda (Gaud 1968), and Korea (Han and Min 2017). It was also reported on the common moorhen by Gaud (1968).

## Genus *Pseudolichus* Atyeo & Gaud, 1992

The genus *Pseudolichus* includes two species associated with members of the family Phasianidae (Galliformes) (Atyeo and Gaud 1992; Mironov 1997). The genus is represented by a single species, *Pseudolichus solutocurtus* from the "wild partridge» (apparently *Alectoris chukar* as in the present study) (Aksın and Erdoğmuş 2005). It has also been reported from partridges in the genera *Alectoris* and *Perdix* in Eurasia (Atyeo and Gaud 1992; Mironov 1997).

## Family *Ptiloxenidae* Gaud 1982

This feather mite family is non-specious and includes 18 species in four genera. Representatives of this family inhabit on birds of the orders Charadriiformes, Phoenicopteriformes and Podicipediformes (Gaud and Atyeo 1996; Dabert and Ehrnsberger 1998; Schatz *et al.* 2011).

## Genus *Ptiloxenus* Hull, 1934

The genus *Ptiloxenus* includes two species associated with grebes (Podicipediformes) (Dubinin 1956; Dabert and Ehrnsberger 1998). Of the two species currently recognised *Ptiloxenus major* has been detected on the great crested grebe (*Podiceps cristatus*) in this study. This species was previously reported from the same host in Türkiye by Eren *et al.* (2022). In studies ongoing to date, *P. major* has been reported worldwide on grebe species of the genera *Podiceps* and *Rollandia* (Dubinin 1956; Dabert and Ehrnsberger 1998).

The results of our study are important contribution to the knowledge of feather mite fauna in Türkiye. A total of 50 feather mite species were identified on the examined avian hosts, 30 of which are new records for the fauna of Türkiye. Compared to previous feather mite studies conducted in Türkiye (Gürler *et al.* 2013; Eren *et al.* 2023; 2025), this study appears to be the most comprehensive to date. However, for uncovering the feather mite fauna associated with birds in Türkiye and for better understanding host-parasite relationships, extensive ectoparasitic studies of many unexamined avian hosts from different geographical regions of Türkiye are needed.

## Acknowledgements

The authors of this article are grateful to Dr. Sergey V. Mironov (Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia) for his assistance in diagnosing feather
mites, as well as for his support in providing with acarological literature we needed during
the preparation of the article. In addition to this, we thank Dr. Fabio Akashi Hernandes
(Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, CCB/ECZ, Trindade, Universidade Federal de Santa
Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil) and Dr. Jacek Dabert (Department of Animal
Morphology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland) for their
positive responses to our literature requests.

ORCID

Gökhan Eren https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2109-5059

Bilal Dik https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7553-5611

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Mironov S.V. 1996. Feather mites of the passerines of the North-West of Russia. Parazitologiya, 30: 521-539.

Mironov S.V. 1997. Contribution to the feather mites of Switzerland with descriptions of five new species (Acarina: Sarcoptiformes). Schweiz. Entomol. Ges., 70: 455-471. https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-402691

Mironov S.V. 2000. A review of the feather mite genus *Scutomegninia* Dubinin, 1951 (Acarina: Analgoidea: Avenzoariidae). Acarina, 8(1): 9-58.

Mironov S.V. 2002. Taxonomic corrections to the feather mite genera *Pteronyssus* Robin, 1877 and *Parapteronyssus* Faccini et Atyeo, 1981 (Analgoidea, Pteronyssidae). Acarina, 10(2): 137-147.

Mironov S.V. 2003. A review of feather mites of the genus *Neopteronyssus* (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae) associated with woodpeckers (Piciformes: Picidae) of the Old World. Belg. J. Entomol., 5: 37-77.

Mironov S.V. 2009. Phylogeny of feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Astigmata: Proctophyllo-didae) and their host associations with passerines (Aves: Passeriformes). Proc. Zool. Inst. Russ. Acad. Sci., 313: 97-118. doi:10.31610/trudyzin/2009.313.2.97 https://doi.org/10.31610/trudyzin/2009.313.2.97

Mironov S.V. 2012. New species of the feather mite genus *Proctophyllodes* Robin, 1877 (Acari: Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes), with an updated checklist of the genus. Acarina, 20(2): 130-158. https://doi.org/10.21684/0132-8077-2019-27-1-19-43

Mironov S.V. 2019. A new species of the feather mite genus *Analges* Nitzsch, 1818 (Acariformes: Analgidae) from the streaked spiderhunter *Arachnothera magna* (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae), with a renewed diagnosis and world checklist to the genus. Acarina, 27(1): 19-43. https://doi.org/10.21684/0132-8077-2019-27-1-19-43

Mironov S.V. 2021. The identity of *Plesialges mimus* Trouessart, 1919 and taxonomic notes on the feather mite genus *Hemialges* Trouessart, 1895 (Acariformes: Analgidae). Acarologia, 61(3): 626-640. https://doi.org/10.24349/Pejc-x0bN

Mironov S.V. 2022. Notes on the systematics of the feather mite genus *Trouessartia* Canestrini, 1899 (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) with an updated world checklist. Acarina, 30(2): 157-180. https://doi.org/10.21684/0132-8077-2022-30-2-157-180

Mironov S.V. 2023a. A new species of the feather mite genus *Dolichodectes* (Acariformes: Proctophyl-lodidae) from the Dark-sided Flycatcher *Muscicapa sibirica* (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae) from Buryatia. Acarina, 31(2): 213-223. https://doi.org/10.21684/0132-8077-2023-31-2-213-223

Mironov S.V. 2023b. Two new species of the feather mite genus *Trouessartia* (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from passerines (Passeriformes) from Asian Russia. Acarina, 31(1): 15-30. https://doi.org/10.21684/0132-8077-2023-31-1-15-30

Mironov S.V., Dabert J. 1995. New species of feather mites of the subfamily Avenzoariinae from waders (Aves: Charadriiformes) of the New World (Acarina: Analgoidea). Genus, Wroclaw, 6(2): 201-223.

Mironov S.V., Galloway T.D. 2002a. Four new species of feather mites (Acari: Analgoidea). Can. Ent., 134: 605-618. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent134605-5

Mironov S.V., Galloway T.D. 2002b. New feather mite taxa (Acari: Analgoidea) and mites collected from native and introduced birds of New Zealand. Acarologia, 42: 185-201.

Mironov S.V., Galloway T.D. 2006. New and little-known species of feather mites (Acari: Analgoidea: Pteronyssidae) from birds in North America. Can. Entomol., 138(2): 165-188. https://doi.org/10.4039/n05-047

Mironov S.V., Wauthy G. 2005. A review of the feather mite genus *Pteronyssoides* Hull, 1931 (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae) from African and European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) with analysis of mite phylogeny and host associations. Bull. Inst. R. Sci. Nat. Belg., Entomol., 75: 155-214.

Mironov S.V., Wauthy G. 2006. Systematic review of feather mites of the genus *Sturnotrogus* Mironov, 1989 (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae) from starlings (Passeriformes: Sturnidae) in Africa and Europe. Bull. Inst. R. Sci. Nat. Belg., Entomol., 76: 55-81.

Mironov S.V., Wauthy G. 2008. A systematic review of the feather mite genus *Pteroherpus* Gaud, 1981 (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae). Bull. Inst. R. Sci. Nat. Belg., Entomol., 78: 155-200.

Mironov S.V., Galloway T.D. 2019. Feather mites of the genus *Trouessartia* Canestrini (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from swallows (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae) in Canada. Zootaxa, 4568(1): 1-39. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4568.1.1

Mironov S.V., Chandler C.R. 2020. Feather mites of the genus *Trouessartia* (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Georgia, USA. Zootaxa, 4860(1): 1-54. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4860.1.1

Mironov S.V., Malovichko L.V. 2023. A new feather mite of the genus *Megniniella* (Acariformes: Analgidae) from the Common Crane *Grus grus* (Gruiformes: Gruidae). Syst. Appl. Acarol., 28(9): 1553-1564. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.28.9.8

Mironov, S.V. Heleno, R.H. 2025. New species and records of feather mites (Acariformes: Analgoidea) from endemic passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in the Seychelles. Syst. Appl. Acarol., 30(1), 88-120. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa30.1.7

Mironov S.V. Dmitryukov A.V. 2025. Three new species of the feather mite genus *Trouessartia* (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from passerines (Passeriformes) in the Asian part of Russia. Zootaxa, 5661(2): 178-200. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5661.2.2
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Mironov S., Literak I., Sychra O., Capek M. 2014. Two new species of the feather mite family Gabuciniidae (Acariformes: Pterolichoidae) from wrens (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae). Acta Parasitol., 59(4): 568-579. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-014-0287-2

Mironov S., Doña J., Jovani R. 2015. A new feather mite of the genus *Dolichodectes* (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from *Hippolais polyglotta* (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae) in Spain. Folia Parasitol., 62: 032. https://doi.org/10.14411/fp.2015.032

Mironov S.V., Zabashta A.V., Malyshev L.L. 2023. Biodiversity of Feather Mites Parasitizing Passerines of the Lower Don Area and Quantitative Characteristics of Their Invasion. Entomol. Rev., 103(5): 573-599. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0013873823060081

Mironov S.V., Haarder S., Galloway T.D. 2024. A new feather mite species of the genus *Temnalges* (Acariformes: Psoroptoididae) from coots, *Fulica* spp. (Gruiformes: Rallidae). Acarologia, 64(4): 1106-1116. https://doi.org/10.24349/i1su-eqk9

Mironov S.V., Stormer H., Proctor H.C. 2025. Redescription of the feather mite *Ingrassia aequinoctialis* (Trouessart, 1899) (Acariformes: Xolalgidae) with notes on systematics and host associations of the *Ingrassia* genus-group. Acarologia, 65(2): 482-496. https://doi.org/10.24349/f5zx-leve

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