Community components of spinturnicid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) parasitizing bats (Chiroptera) in the Tingua Biological Reserve of Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Variations in the abundance of spinturnicid mites can derive from factors inherent to the environment, such as vegetation type and climate, in addition to the intrinsic host factors. Based on the premise that different landscapes can determine the abundance, richness and parasitological indices of spinturnicid species on phyllostomid bats, these bats were analysed in three tropical forest areas. Of the 744 bats captured, 210 (28.2%) were parasitized by 727 spinturnicid mites of five species. These mites were collected on 14 of 22 bat species. The prevalence (37.6%), mean intensity (3.6), mean abundance of infestation (1.4), abundance of bats (n=340), abundance of mites (n=465) and infested bats (n=128) were higher in the reforested area, although this area obtained the lowest values for richness of mite species (n=2). The results reinforce the presence of host specificity of spinturnicid mites on phyllostomid bats.