Abstract
Mites associated with birds have different relationships with their hosts, ranging from accidental association to true ecto- and endoparasitism. A total of 51 samples of the ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti (Temminck, 1810) (Columbiformes), from São Paulo State, Brazil, were examined for mites. Five of the samples were nests.Mites belonging to the following taxa were found:Astigmata—Analgidae (three species), Falculiferidae (four species) and an unidentified Pyroglyphidae species; Mesostigmata—a single species of Macronyssidae; Prostigmata—a single species each of Cheyletidae, Ereynetidae, Harpirhynchidae and Syringophilidae. Diplaegidia columbigallinae Cerny´, 1975 and Byersalges talpacoti Cerny´, 1975 were the most frequent species. Known associations of each mite species to other columbiform birds are reported.