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The article presents the most complete data on the distribution of ectoparasites in the boreal Palaearctics (gamasid mites of the genera Spinturnix, Macronyssus, and Steatonyssus, bat flies of the family Nycteribiidae, fleas of the family Ischnopsyllidae) and its preferences for the hosts. On the basis of these data as well as the data for the resettlement of bats in Eurasia 30 species of boreal bat ectoparasites combined into three faunal complexes (Transpalaearctic, European-Ural and Siberian-Far East) and two groups (European-Ural species, penetrating to the east and Siberian-Far East, penetrating to the west). The boundary between the European-Ural and Siberian-Far East faunal complexes is situated presumably along the Irtysh River. The resulting zoning provides a new look at the parasitocenosis of ectoparasites in the taiga zone of the Palaearctics.

Feather mite specimens (Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) used in this study were collected from 29 dead bird individuals of various orders in Artvin, Erzurum, Rize, and Sakarya (Türkiye) during 2023–2024. As a result of ectoparasitic examination, 22 feather mite species were detected. Of the mite species detected, fourteen species (Glaucalges attenuatus, Kramerella bubonis, Montesauria merulae, M. cylindrica, Pandalura cirrata, Picalgoides diaphanoxus, Proctophyllodes ateri, P. glandarinus, P. hipposideros, P. locustellae, P. microstylifer, P. picae, P. pinnatus, and Scutulanyssus ottuki) are new records for the ectoparasitic fauna in Türkiye. Additionally, new host-parasite associations were revealed for Gabucinia delibata, Hieracolichus ramosus, and Montesauria merulae feather mite species.

En este trabajo se registra una nueva especie de Monogenoidea, Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis n. sp., parasitando las branquias del silurido Auchenipterichthys coracoideus (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942). Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis n. sp. se distingue de todas las demás especies congéneres por poseer un órgano copulador masculino (OCM) tubo alargado, esclerotizado y sinuoso, con espirales poco definidos, base con borde esclerotizado y con la región distal apoyada sobre la pieza accesoria. La pieza accesoria es una placa única, robusta y no articulada con el OCM. En este estudio se presenta el tercer registro de una especie de Monogenoidea en un hospedero Auchenipteridae (Siluriformes) del Perú. Publicación registrada en Zoobank/ZooBank article registered:LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2885133-CCFE-45FE-B97C-21C2C128FD5DActo nomenclatural/nomenclatural act:Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis Murrieta Morey, Tuestas Rojas, Satalaya Arellano & Rodríguez Chu, 2024LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A65521DA-1F6F-46A0-8140-C028F2C57715   In this study, a new species of Monogenoidea, Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis n. sp., parasitizing the gills of the silurid Auchenipterichthys coracoideus (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942), is documented. Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis n. sp. is distinguished from all other congeners by possessing an elongated, sclerotized, and sinuous male copulatory organ (MCO) with poorly defined spirals, a sclerotized border at the base, and the distal region supported by the accessory piece. The accessory piece is a single, robust, and non-articulated plate with the MCO. This study presents the third record of a Monogenoidea species in an Auchenipteridae (Siluriformes) host from Peru. Publicación registrada en Zoobank/ZooBank article registered:LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2885133-CCFE-45FE-B97C-21C2C128FD5DActo nomenclatural/nomenclatural act:Cosmetocleithrum amazonensis Murrieta Morey, Tuestas Rojas, Satalaya Arellano & Rodríguez Chu, 2024LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A65521DA-1F6F-46A0-8140-C028F2C57715

To provide data that can be used to inform treatment and prevention strategies for zoonotic pathogens in animal and human populations, we assessed the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens and their vectors on 2,381 client-owned dogs and cats living in metropolitan areas of 8 countries in eastern and Southeast Asia during 2017-2018. Overall exposure to ectoparasites was 42.4% in dogs and 31.3% in cats. Our data cover a wide geographic distribution of several pathogens, including Leishmania infantum and zoonotic species of filariae, and of animals infested with arthropods known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Because dogs and cats share a common environment with humans, they are likely to be key reservoirs of pathogens that infect persons in the same environment. These results will help epidemiologists and policy makers provide tailored recommendations for future surveillance and prevention strategies.

Ticks are obligate ectoparasite arthropods of the class Arachnida distributed worldwide and can parasitize many animals. They constitute one of the most important groups of vectors of infectious diseases, including zoonoses. The objective of this study was to report the parasitism by Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844 in a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) in Santa Maria, in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Two specimens of ectoparasites found on a domestic dog, living in a rural property, were sent to the Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology at the Federal University of Santa Maria for taxonomic identification. The two specimens found were classified as adult male and female of A. ovale. Through this study, the parasitism of this species is reported for the first time in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in a domestic dog, allowing the infestation and transmission of diseases to humans.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108801.].

Many wildlife species shift their diets to use novel resources in urban areas. The consequences of these shifts are not well known, and consumption of reliable—but low quality—anthropogenic food may present important trade-offs for wildlife health. This may be especially true for carnivorous species such as the American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), a nomadic wading bird which has been increasingly observed in urban parks in South Florida, USA. We tested the effects of anthropogenic provisioning on consumer nutrition (i.e. dietary protein), body condition and ectoparasite burdens along an urban gradient using stable isotope analysis, scaled mass index values and GPS transmitter data. Ibises that assimilated more provisioned food were captured at more urban sites, used more urban habitat, had lower mass–length residuals, lower ectoparasite scores, assimilated less δ15N and had smaller dietary isotopic ellipses. Our results suggest that ibises in urban areas are heavily provisioned with anthropogenic food, which appears to offer a trade-off by providing low-quality, but easily accessible, calories that may not support high mass but may increase time available for anti-parasite behaviours such as preening. Understanding such trade-offs is important for investigating the effects of provisioning on infection risk and the conservation of wildlife in human-modified habitats. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host–parasite dynamics in wildlife’.

Feather mite specimens (Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) used in this study were collected from 29 dead bird individuals of various orders in Artvin, Erzurum, Rize, and Sakarya (Türkiye) during 2023-2024. As a result of ectoparasitic examination, 22 feather mite species were detected. Of the mite species detected, fourteen species ( Glaucalges attenuatus, Kramerella bubonis, Montesauria merulae, M. cylindrica, Pandalura cirrata, Picalgoides diaphanoxus, Proctophyllodes ateri, P. glandarinus, P. hipposideros, P. locustellae, P. microstylifer, P. picae, P. pinnatus , and Scutulanyssus ottuki ) are new records for the ectoparasitic fauna in Türkiye. Additionally, new host-parasite associations were revealed for Gabucinia delibata, Hieracolichus ramosus , and Montesauria merulae feather mite species.

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence rates of ectoparasites (external parasites) seen in cattle in Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions. For ectoparasite screening, a total of 1,353 cattle breeds from Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions were included in the study. Ectoparasite samples were collected with the help of hand, forceps, comb and scalpel, brought to the laboratory in plastic containers containing 70% alcohol and examined under a microscope. In the study, 191 (14.12%) of 1,353 cattle were infested with external parasites. Of the cattle, 138 (72.25%) ticks, 24 (12.57%) lice, 9 (4.71%) tabanid, 8 (4.19%) hippoboscid, 7 (3.66%) fleas and 5 (2.62%) mites were detected. Accordingly, 4 tick species in cattle , 4 lice species ( ), 1 mite species ( ), 2 flea species ( ), 1 hippoboscid fly species ( ) ve 3 tabanid fly species ( ) diagnosed. The presence of external parasites varied depending on the frequency of antiparasitic use in cattle.

Ecological speciation occurs when local adaptation generates reproductive isolation as a by-product of natural selection. Although ecological speciation is a fundamental source of diversification, the mechanistic link between natural selection and reproductive isolation remains poorly understood, especially in natural populations. Here, we show that experimental evolution of parasite body size over 4 y (approximately 60 generations) leads to reproductive isolation in natural populations of feather lice on birds. When lice are transferred to pigeons of different sizes, they rapidly evolve differences in body size that are correlated with host size. These differences in size trigger mechanical mating isolation between lice that are locally adapted to the different sized hosts. Size differences among lice also influence the outcome of competition between males for access to females. Thus, body size directly mediates reproductive isolation through its influence on both intersexual compatibility and intrasexual competition. Our results confirm that divergent natural selection acting on a single phenotypic trait can cause reproductive isolation to emerge from a single natural population in real time.