Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2024-07-26
Page range: 351-387
Abstract views: 103
PDF downloaded: 3

An annotated catalogue of mites and ticks (Acari) in Fiji

Plant Health & Environment Laboratory; Ministry for Primary Industries; Auckland; New Zealand
Acari fauna diversity host habitat distribution South Pacific

Abstract

Comprehending the diversity of mites and ticks is essential for gaining insight into micro-arthropod ecosystems, assisting in pest control, and maximizing utilization of beneficial mite resources. To lay a groundwork for future research endeavours, this study was prepared to provide an overview of the research chronicle and conduct an analysis of the diversity of mites and ticks recorded in Fiji. An annotated catalogue was assembled, encompassing data on the taxonomy, host/habitat, and geographical distribution of 251 species and subspecies, across 169 genera, 93 families, and four orders.

 

References

  1. André, M. (1959) Note complémentaire sur Tetranychus neocaledonicus André. Acarologia, 1, 53–55.
  2. Ash, J. (1992) Vegetation ecology of Fiji: past, present, and future perspectives. Pacific Science, 46 (2), 111–127.
  3. Atyeo, W.T. & Gaud, J. (1978) The genus Cheiloceras Trouessart, 1898 (Analgoidea: Falculiferidae). Acarologia, 19, 494–539.
  4. Atyeo, W.T. & Peterson, P.C. (1992) Feather mites (Acarina, Analgoidea, Alloptidae) of frigatebirds (Aves, Pelecaniformes, Fregatidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger, 229 (3/4), 85–95.
  5. Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. (1986) Some oribatid mites collected in the western Pacific area. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 32 (3–4), 263–280.
  6. Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. (1988) The family Ceratokalummidae Balogh, 1970 (Acari, Oribatei). Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 34 (2–3), 191–201.
  7. Bertrand, M. & Ineich, I. (1987) Contribution à la connaissance des Pterygosomatidae du Pacifique Sud. Acarologia, 28, 241–250.
  8. Biosecurity Authority Fiji (2018) Fact Sheet on Varroa Mite. Available at: https://www.baf.com.fj/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Fact-sheet-Varroa-mite_Final.pdf (date of access 25 Mar 2024).
  9. Chazeau, J. & Gutierrez, J. (1977) Quelques donées sur les principaux predateurs de Tetranychidae (acariens) dans la zone d’action de la Commission du Pacifique Sud. South Pacific Commission. Plant Protection Working Paper, 9, 1–8.
  10. Collyer, E. (1973) Records of Brevipalpus species (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from New Zealand and the Pacific area. New Zealand Entomologist, 5, 303–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779962.1973.9723026
  11. Collyer, E. (1980) Phytoseiidae (Acari) from the Pacific Islands: note. New Zealand Entomologist, 7, 138–139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779962.1980.9722356
  12. Dabert, J., Mironov, S.V. & Ehrnsberger, R. (2008) Systematic revision of the feather mite genera Apexolichus Gaud et Atyeo and Titanolichus Gaud et Atyeo (Astigmata, Pterolichidae), parasites of parrots of the Old World (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae). Acta Parasitologica, 53, 46–80. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-008-0007-x
  13. Emberson, R.M. (1980) Macrochelidae from the Kermadec Islands and a key to species of Macrocheles Latreille from the New Zealand region (Acari: Mesostigmata). New Zealand Entomologist, 7, 135–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779962.1980.9722355
  14. Ermilov, S.G., Corpuz-Raros, L., Naredo, J.C.B. & Eusebio, O.L. (2022) New faunistical data on oribatid mites from the Philippines, with a description of a new species of the genus Trachyoribates (Acari, Oribatida, Haplozetidae). Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 68, 217–229. https://doi.org/10.17109/AZH.68.3.217.2022
  15. Ermilov, S.G., Tolstikov, A.V., Mary, N. & Schatz, H. (2013) Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from riverine environments of some islands in Oceania. ZooKeys, 318, 47–57. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.318.5971
  16. Evenhuis, N.L. (2007) Checklist of Acari of Fiji. Bishop Museum Technical Report 38 (1). [updated 11 Oct. 2011] available at: http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/Fiji/checklists/acari.html (date of access 25 March 2024)
  17. Fain, A. & Domrow, R. (1980) A new species of Myianoetus Oudemans (Acarina: Anoetidae) from a ceratopogonid fly in Australasia. Australian Entomological Magazine, 7 (4), 41–44.
  18. Fan, Q.-H., Dayal, S.S., Fong, M.H., Rakuita, P. & Ram, J.A. (2020a) A contribution to the fauna of mites (Acari) in Fiji. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 25, 1444–1460. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.25.8.7
  19. Fan, Q.-H., Li, D.-M. & George, S. (2020b) Ontogenetic stages of Oulenziella bakeri (Hughes) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae). Zootaxa, 4900 (1), 62–101. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4900.1.7
  20. Fan, Q.-H. & Zhang, Z.-Q. (2003) Rhizoglyphus echinopus and Rhizoglyphus robini (Acari: Acaridae) from Australia and New Zealand: identification, host plants and geographical distribution. Systematic & Applied Acarology Special Publications, 16, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.11158/saasp.16.1.1
  21. Fan, Q.-H. & Zhang, Z.-Q. (2004) Revision of Rhizoglyphus Claparède (Acari: Acaridae) of Australasia and Oceania. Systematic and Applied Acarology Society, London, 374 pp.
  22. Fan, Q.-H. & Zhang, Z.-Q. (2007) Tyrophagus (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae). Fauna of the New Zealand, 56. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, New Zealand, 291 pp.
  23. Favette, J. & Trouessart, E.L. (1904) Monographie du genre Protolichus (Trt) et revision des Sarcoptides plumicoles (Analgesinae) qui vivent sur les perroquets. Mémoires de la Société Zoologique de France, 17, 120–166.
  24. Gillespie, R.G. & Roderick, G.K. (2002) Arthropods on islands: colonization, speciation, and conservation. Annual Review of Entomology, 47, 595–632. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.47.091201.145244
  25. Guglielmone, A.A., Robbins, R.G., Apanaskevich, D.A., Petney, T.N., Estrada-Peña, A. & Horak, I.G. (2009) Comments on controversial tick (Acari: Ixodida) species names and species described or resurrected from 2003 to 2008. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 48, 311–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9246-2
  26. Guglielmone, A.A., Robbins, R.G., Apanaskevich, D.A., Petney, T.N., Estrada-Peña, A., Horak, I.G., Shao, R. & Barker, S.C. (2010) The Argasidae, Ixodidae and Nuttalliellidae (Acari: Ixodida) of the world: a list of valid species names. Zootaxa, 2528, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2528.1.1
  27. Guglielmone, A.A., Robbins, R.G. & Nava, S. (2023) Geographic distribution of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) of the world by countries and territories. Zootaxa, 5251 (1), 1–274. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5251.1.1
  28. Gutierrez, J. (1977) Phytophagous Mites of Economic Significance in the Area of the South Pacific Commission. South Pacific Commission, Regional Meeting Plant Protection, Nouméa, Nouvelle-Calédonie, 14–18 November 1977, 10, 1–18.
  29. Gutierrez, J. (1982) Deux acariens phytophages vivant sur canne a sucre a la Reunion: Oligonychus etiennei n. sp. (Tetranychidae) et Abacarus sacchari (Eriophyidae). Agronomie Tropicale, 37, 389–392.
  30. Gutierrez, J. & Schicha, E. (1984) Phytoseiidae and Tetranychoidea in Fiji and other South Pacific islands (Acari). International Journal of Entomology, 26, 386–388.
  31. Haar, K., Romani, L., Filimone, R., Kishore, K., Tuicakau, M., Koroivueta, J., Kaldor, J.M., Wand, H., Steer, A. & Whitfeld, M. (2014) Scabies community prevalence and mass drug administration in two Fijian villages. International Journal of Dermatology, 53, 739–745. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.12353
  32. Halliday, R.B. (2005) Predatory mites from crops and pastures in South Africa: potential natural enemies of redlegged earth mite Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae). Zootaxa, 1079, 11–64. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1079.1.2
  33. Hammer, M. (1971) On some oribatids from Viti Levu, the Fiji Islands. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab Biologiske Skrifter, 16 (6), 1–60.
  34. Hinckley, A.D. (1963) Trophic records of some insects, mites, and ticks in Fiji. Bulletin (Fiji Department of Agriculture), 45, 1–116.
  35. Hirst, S. (1924) On some new species of red spider. Annals & Magazine of Natural History (Ser. 9), 14, 522–527. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222932408633151
  36. Hoogstraal, H., Roberts, F.H.S., Kohls, G.M. & Tipton, V.J. (1968) Review of Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) longicornis Neumann (resurrected) of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Japan, Korea and Northeastern China and USSR, and its parthenogenetic and bisexual populations (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae). Journal of Parasitology, 54, 1197–1213. https://doi.org/10.2307/3276992
  37. Joharchi, O., Fan, Q.-H. & Arjomandi, E. (2017) A new species and a new record of Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Acari: Laelapidae) from the Pacific Islands. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 22, 789–796. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.22.6.5
  38. Klompen, J.S.H. (1992) Phylogenetic relationships in the mite family Sarcoptidae (Acari: Astigmata). Miscellaneous Publications Museum of Zoology University of Michigan, 180, i–v, 1–154.
  39. Knowles, C.H. (1918) Council Paper, Division of Entomology, Annal Report for the Year 1917, Fiji Deptment of Agriculture, 60, 8–12.
  40. Kolonin, G.V. (2009) Fauna of ixodid ticks of the world (Acari, Ixodidae). Available at: http://web.archive.org/web/20100922170537/http://www.kolonin.org/1.html (date of access 25 March 2024).
  41. Kontschán, J. (2011) Notes on the family Macrodinychidae (Acari: Uropodina) with description of two new species. Journal of Natural History, 45, 25–26, 1619–1636. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2011.559600
  42. Krantz, G.W. & Filipponi, A. (1964) Acari della famiglia Macrochelidae (Mesostigmata) nella collezione del South Australian Museum. Rivista di Parassitologia, 25, 35–54.
  43. Krantz, G.W. & Walter, D.E. (Eds.) (2009) A Manual of Acarology. Lubbock, Texas: Texas Tech University Press, Third edition, 807 pp.
  44. Lee, D.C. (1993) Incabates Hammer and Setincabates gen. nov. (Acarida: Cryptostigmata: Haplozetidae) from South Australian soils. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 117 (2), 77–85.
  45. Lever, R.J.A.W. (1939a) Entomological notes [3. Copra mite (Caloglyphus)]. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 10 (4), 125–126.
  46. Lever, R.J.A.W. (1939b) Vegetable garden pests and their control. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 10 (1), 11–17.
  47. Lever, R.J.A.W. (1943) Entomological notes [1. A cattle tick on man]. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 14 (2), 1–4.
  48. Lever, R.J.A.W. (1944) Division of Entomology. Annual Report for the Year 1943. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 15 (3), 73–75.
  49. Lever, R.J.A.W. (1946) Entomological notes [1. Some mites from Fiji]. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 17 (1), 9–15.
  50. Mahunka, S. (1982) Neue und interessante Milben aus dem Genfer Museum LXVI. Oribatiden der Pazifischen Region (Acari: Oribatida). Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 89 (2), 379–394.
  51. Mahunka, S. (1992) Neue und interessante Milben aus dem Genfer Museum XXX VII. Neue Milben von den pazifischen Inseln (Acari: Anoetidae, Scutacaridae). Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 99, 395–403.
  52. Mahunka, S. (2006) Some interesting beetle mites from Pacific islands collected by Antonius van Harten (Acari: Oribatida). (Acarologica Genavensia CVIII). Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 113 (3), 579–593. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.80364
  53. Mani, M.S. & Jayaraman, P. (1987) On some plant galls from the Fiji Islands. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences Animal Sciences, 96, 81–115.
  54. Manson, D.C.M. (1967) Mites of the families Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae intercepted entering New Zealand from overseas. New Zealand Journal of Science, 10, 664–674.
  55. Manson, D.C.M. (1972a) New species and new records of eriophyid mites (Acarina: Eriophyidae) from New Zealand and the Pacific area. Acarologia, 13, 351–360.
  56. Manson, D.C.M. (1972b) A contribution to the study of the genus Rhizoglyphus Claparede, 1869 (Acarina: Acaridae). Acarologia, 13, 621–650.
  57. McGregor, E.A. (1950) Mites of the family Tetranychidae. American Midland Naturalist, 44, 257–420. https://doi.org/10.2307/2421963
  58. McMurtry, J.A. & Moraes, G.J. de. (1984) Some phytoseiid mites from the South Pacific, with descriptions of new species and a definition of the Amblyseius largoensis species group. International Journal of Acarology, 10, 27–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647958408683347
  59. Miles, J.A.R. (1967) Research report. Department of Microbiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, 61 pp. (not seen)
  60. Mironov, S.V. & Pérez, T.M. (2003) A review of feather mites of Rhytidelasma generic group (Pterolichoidea Pterolichidae), specific parasites of parrots (Aves Psittaciformes). Bulletin de l’Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique Entomologie, 73, 135–173.
  61. Munro, R. (1978) Arthropod parasites affecting domesticated livestock in Fiji. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 40 (2), 91–96.
  62. Munro, R. & Munro, H.M.C. (1979) Lynxacarus on cats in Fiji. Australian Veterinary Journal, 55 (2), 90. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1979.tb15178.x
  63. Munro, R. & Munro, H.M.C. (1980) Psoroptic mange in goats in Fiji. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 12, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02242622
  64. Nalepa, A. (1906) Über zwei neue Eriophyiden von den Fidschiinseln. Journal of Economic Biology, 1, 147–151.
  65. Neumann, L.G. (1899) Révision de la famille des ixodidés. (3e mémoire). Mémoirs du Societé de Zoologie de France, 12, 107–294.
  66. Niedbała, W. (1984) La redescription des Phthiracaridae (Acari, Oribatida) de Marie Hammer. Annales Zoologici, 38, 173–204.
  67. Niedbała, W. (1991) Description of two new Euphthiracaroid species (Acari, Oribatida). Genus, 2, 33–40.
  68. Niedbała, W. (1998) Ptyctimous mites of the Pacific Islands. Recent knowledge, origin, descriptions, redescriptions, diagnoses and zoogeography (Acari: Oribatida). Genus, 9, 431–558.
  69. Niedbała, W. (2001a) Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Florida. Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 44, 285–367.
  70. Niedbała, W. (2001b) Apoplophora – oriental genus of Mesoplophoroidea (Acari, Oribatida). Acarologia, 41, 361–379.
  71. Niedbała, W. (2012) An updated study of ptyctimous mite fauna (Acari: Oribatida) of the Australasian Region with a description of thirteen new species. Acarologia, 52, 183–228. https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20122049
  72. Niedbała, W. & Liu, D. (2023) Systematic, synonymic and biogeographical list of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) in the world (1799–2022). Zootaxa, 5265, 1–442. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5265.1.1
  73. Niedbała, W. & Penttinen, R. (2007) New species of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida: Oribotritiidae, Steganacaridae) with some new records from Australasian region. Annales Zoologici, 57 (3), 517–532.
  74. Rainbow, W.J. (1906) A synopsis of Australian Acarina. Records of the Australian Museum, 6 (3), 145–193.
  75. Ramsay, G.W. (1970) Mites with phoretic nematodes. New Zealand Entomologist, 4 (4), 91–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779962.1970.9723084
  76. Robinson, L.E. (1926) Ticks. A Monograph of the Ixodoidea. Part IV. The Genus Amblyomma. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 302 pp.
  77. Sanders, R.N. (1944) A blood-sucking mite of poultry. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 15 (1), 27.
  78. Seeman, O., Beard, J. & Otto, J. (2023) Intraspecific variation in Storchia pacifica (Summers) (Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae), a widespread species intercepted by Australian biosecurity from seventeen countries. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 28, 1516–1526. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.28.9.6
  79. Smiley, R.L. (1967) Further studies on the Tarsonemidae (Acarina). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 69, 127–146.
  80. Smit, H. (2003a) Water mites from Fiji (Acari: Hydrachnidia). Acarologia, 42, 351–360. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.588.1.1
  81. Smit, H. (2003b) A review of the subgenus Brevicaudaturus (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Arrenuridae: Arrenurus) from the Indo-Australian and Pacific Region, with description of a new species. In: Smith, I.M. (Ed.), An Acarological Tribute to David R. Cook (from Yankee Springs to Wheeny Creek): Celebrating Dave’s 80th Year and his Contributions to over half a Aentury of Advancement in Water Mite Systematics. West Bloomfield, Michigan: Indira Publishing house, pp. 223–237.
  82. Smit, H. (2004) Water mites from Pacific Islands (Acari: Hydrachnidia). Zootaxa, 588, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.588.1.1
  83. Subías, L.S. (2022) Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los Ácaros Oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758–2002). Monografías electrónicas S.E.A. (Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa), 12, 1–538. https://doi.org/10.3989/graellsia.2004.v60.iExtra.218
  84. Swaine, G. (1971) Agricultural Zoology in Fiji. Foreign Commonwealth Office, Overseas Development Administration, Overseas Research Publication 18. Hmso, London, 424 pp.
  85. Taylor, T.H.C. (1936) The biological control of the coconut leaf miner (Promecotheca reichei Baly) in Fiji. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 8(2), 17–21.
  86. Taylor, T.H.C. (1937) The Biological Control of an Insect in Fiji, An Account of the Coconut Leafmining Beetle and its Parasite Complex. The Imperial Institute of Entomology, London, 239 pp.
  87. Tothill, J.D. (1927) Progress Report of the Coconut Committee. Fiji: Legislative Council, 4 pp.
  88. Trouessart, E.L. (1899) Diagnoses préliminaires d’espèces nouvelles de Sarcoptides pluicoles (Acar.). Bulletin de la Société Entomologiqu3e de France, 3(15), 289–292.
  89. Turbet, C.R. (1929) A note on the air sac mite disease of poultry in Suva. Fiji agricultural journal, 1(3), 27.
  90. Turbet, C.R. (1931) Annual report by the chief veterinary officer. Annual report for the year 1930, Department of Agriculture, Fiji, pp. 18–21.
  91. Turbet, C.R. (1939) Veterinary division. Annual report for 1938. Annual Bulletin of Divisional Reports, Department of Agriculture, Fiji, pp. 39–47.
  92. Uchikawa, K. (1990) A new species, males and immature stages of Ancystropus, with reference to apomorphic characters and their mode of development (Acarina: Spinturnicidae). Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology, 41, 29–49. https://doi.org/10.7601/mez.41.29
  93. Vitzthum, H. (1921) Acarologische Beobachtungen. 4. Reihe. Archiv für Naturgeschichte Berlin, 86 (10), 1–69.
  94. Wallace, M.M.H. (1986) Some macrochelid mites (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with Australian dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Acarologia, 27, 3–15.
  95. Walter, D.E. & Proctor, H.C. (2013) Mites: Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour: Life at a Microscale (2nd edn). Springer, Dordrecht, 494 pp. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7164-2
  96. Watling, D. (1977) A collection of bird and bat ectoparasites from Viti Levu, Fiji Islands. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 39 (2), 116–117.
  97. Womersley, H. (1941) Studies in Australian Acarina. (2) Tyroglyphidae (s.l.). Records of the South Australian Museum, 6, 451–488.
  98. Womersley, H. (1942) Additions to the Acarina of Australia (Trombidiidae and Calyptostomatidae). Records of the South Australian Museum, 7, 169–181.
  99. Womersley, H. (1952) The scrub-typhus and scrub-itch mites (Trombiculidae, Acarina) of the Asiatic-Pacific region. Records of the South Australian Museum, 10, 1–680.
  100. Wood, T.G. (1966a) Mites of the genus Ledermuelleria Oudms. (Prostigmata, Stigmaeidae) from New Zealand, with records of one species from some southern Pacific Islands. New Zealand Journal of Science, 9, 84–102.
  101. Wood, T.G. (1966b) Three new species of Asca v. Heyden (Acari: Blattisocidae) from New Zealand and records of Asca from some Southern Pacific Islands. New Zealand Journal of Science, 9, 41–49.
  102. Zhang Z-Q. (2011) Animal biodiversity: an introduction to higher-level classification and taxonomic richness. Zootaxa, 3148, 7–12. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3148.1.3
  103. Zhang, Z.-Q., Fan, Q.-H., Martin, N.A. & Lal, S.N. (2004) Current status of research of Rhizoglyphus mites associated with taro. In: Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Ed.), Third Taro Symposium, Nadi, Fiji, pp. 110–111.