DNA-based identification of Laelaps agilis mites (Meso-stigmata: Laelapidae) from small rodents

Abstract

Laelaps agilis is the dominant species of mite parasitizing small rodents in Europe. Laelapid mites, including L. agilis, are difficult to identify because they are very small and have a high level of morphological variability. In recent years, DNA-based methods have been complementing the morphological methods used to identify Mesostigmata mite species where morphological differentiation is problematic.Thus far L. agilis has been recorded morphologically in Europe. However, studies on molecular characterization of this species have still not been performed. In this study, for the first time L. agilis mites parasitizing small rodents, were identified and genetically characterized using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) of mitochondrial DNA. L. agilis specimens were obtained from five different small rodent species collected in three European countries: Lithuania, Slovakia and Czech Republic. Eight different haplotypes were identified in COI gene region from which several haplotypes were associated with geographic location and different host species. This work reveals new information on a DNA-based identification and genetic diversity of L. agilis mites.