Investigation of chigger mites on small mammals in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.39.3.017
- Author:
Zhou, Y.
1
;
Duan, B.
2
;
Ren, T.G.
1
;
Dong, W.G.
1
Author Information
1. Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
2. Yunnan Institute of Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chigger mites;
scrub typhus;
small mammals;
Yunnan region
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2022;39(No.3):455-461
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Chigger mites are arthropods and are the sole vectors of scrub typhus, and rodents as well as other
small mammals are the most common hosts of chigger mite larvae. Therefore, it is of great medical
significance to study the ecology of chigger mites. In this study, a detailed analysis of chigger mites was
conducted based on field survey data. A total of 4,941 chigger mites were collected from 86 hosts at 34
survey sites in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China. Among the 4,941 chiggers, five genera in one subfamily
were identified; Schoengastiella ligula was the dominant chigger species with the highest infestation
index, prevalence (Pm, 42.86%) and mean intensity (MI, 59.09%) (P<0.001). The association coefficient
(V) between S. ligula and Gahrliepia radiopunctata was positively correlated (P<0.05), indicating the
tendency of chiggers to select and coexist on the same host at the same time. The dominant species
Leptotrombidium kunmingense, Ascoschoengastia indica, S. ligula and G. radiopunctata showed
aggregation distribution patterns, indicating that the distribution of chiggers among different hosts
was not uniform. Low altitudes and low latitudes appeared to be more favorable for the growth and
reproduction of chigger mites (P<0.05). It is suggested to collect as many host samples as possible in
future field investigations to better understand the dynamics of chigger mite populations and their
primary hosts.
- Full text:8.2022my13621.pdf
