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Issue: Vol. 22: 30 Nov. 2022
Type: Proceedings Papers
Published: 2022-11-30
DOI: 10.11646/zoosymposia.22.1.6
Page range: 29–31
Abstract views: 232
PDF downloaded: 196

Our life companions: the human follicular mite Demodex folliculorum

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Section, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, United Kingdom
School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom, Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences, National University of San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
follicular mite Demodex folliculorum

Abstract

We carry them in our skin pores through our entire life, from birth to death.  We offer them shelter and in return, they tidy-up our pores.  We go on with our busy day life and they sleep.  They wake up when we go to sleep and while we are deeply dreaming, they move around, visit other pores and mates, and reproduce.  Despite being our ‘very own’ life companions, until recently, we knew very little about their struggle.

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