Ectoparasites of the Round-tailed Muskrat (Neofiber alleni) with Special Emphasis on Mites of the Family Listrophoridae

Twenty-five round-tailed muskrats Neofiber alleni collected in Alachua and Highlands counties, Florida, were examined visually and by a washing technique for ectoparasites and associates. Eight parasitic and three nonparasitic arthropods were found. The parasitic forms were the laelapid mites Laelaps evansi and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi; the chigger Euschoengastia splendens; the myobiid mite Radfordia sp., a flea, Polygenis gwyni; and three new species of listrophorid mites, Listrophorus caudatus, L. laynei and Prolistrophorus birkenholzi. Polygenis gwyni and Radfordia sp. are the first records from Neofiber. The three nonparasitic forms were mites of the genera Macrocheles, Tyrophagus and Garmania. Twenty-three areas of the body of the animals were examined to determine the spatial distribution of the listrophorid mites. Prolistrophorus birkenholzi occurred in lower numbers than the other two listrophorid mites, but all three species were sympatric both geographically and on the body of the individual host. These mites were most abundant on the anterior portions of the muskrats both ventrally and dorsally; the muzzle and nape were most densely populated.