Africa Checklist of: Families, Genera, and Species of Ectoparasitic Mites Found in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical Regions

Abstract

This Checklist includes 23 families, 74 genera and 281 species of ectoparasitic mites distributed in 23 countries in Africa throughout the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. The greatest proportion of the data was collected from Cameroon (20.5{%}), followed by S. Africa (17.5{%}) and Egypt (14.5{%}). The proportion ranged from 0.5 to 5.0{%} for each of the other 20 countries included. Parasitic mites on birds belonged to 14 families (7 infesting skin and 7 feather mites). Their hosts belong to: Class: Aves:- Order: Anseriformes (ducks, fowls, turkeys... etc.), Columbiformes (pigeons, doves... etc.), Passeriformes (canarys, sparrows... etc.). Parasitic mites on other animals belonged to 9 families (4 mycoptic mange, 2 itch mites, one hair follicle mange mite and 2 skin tissue mites). Their hosts belong to: Class: Mammalia: Order: Carnivora (dogs, cats,... etc.), Perissodactyla (horses... etc.), Artiodactyla (sheep, pigs, goats... etc.), Lagomorpha (rabbits... etc.), Rodentia, (rodents) and Primates (man... etc).