Chiggers recently infesting Spea spp., in Texas, USA, were Eutrombicula alfreddugesi, not Hannemania sp.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
By: , and 

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Abstract

Upon re-examination of preserved larval chiggers collected from spadefoot toads (Spea bombifrons and Spea multiplicata) in the Southern High Plains of Texas, USA, and identified previously as Hannemania sp., we found them to be Eutrombicula alfreddugesi. A review of previous reports of Eutrombicula spp. chiggers on amphibian hosts provides context for current findings. All members of the genus Hannemania are specialized larval parasites of amphibians, whereas larval E. alfreddugesi are generalist parasites of a wide variety of terrestrial vertebrate hosts that infrequently includes amphibians. Spadefoot toads are previously undocumented hosts for E. alfreddugesi, and observed infestations were unusually prevalent and intense for this chigger on an amphibian host.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Chiggers recently infesting Spea spp., in Texas, USA, were Eutrombicula alfreddugesi, not Hannemania sp.
Series title Journal of Wildlife Diseases
DOI 10.7589/0090-3558-47.3.612
Volume 47
Issue 3
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Wildlife Disease Association
Publisher location Lawrence, KS
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description 6 p.
First page 612
Last page 617
Country United States
State Texas
Other Geospatial Southern High Plains
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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