Emerging diseases in poultry: The role of Apolonia tigipioensis Torres and Braga, 1938 (Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) in avian parasitism, including the first record of parasitism in the greater rhea, Rhea americana (L., 1758) (Struthioniformes: Rheidae)

The larval chigger mite Apolonia tigipioensis Torres and Braga is an obligatory hypodermic parasite found in South America. Its parasitism can significantly affect the host's health, leading to nodular lesions that consequently result in the host's death. This species has been identified in Venezuela and northeastern Brazil (Pernambuco State), primarily infesting birds, but it can affect mammals, including humans. This study presents two cases from northeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte State) involving A. tigipioensis. The first case details the parasitism of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), while the second case marks the first record of this species infesting the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana). The latter was also analyzed histopathologically and compared with existing literature records. •Apolonia tigipioensis is a Neotropical mite species found in Venezuela and northeastern Brazil.•It primarily parasitizes chickens but can also infest other mammals, including humans.•This study reports the first case of A. tigipioensis in the greater rhea in Rio Grande do Norte.•The mite poses a threat to birds, with potential zoonotic transmission to humans.