Myobia musculi explained

Myobia musculi is a type of fur mite which is found worldwide.[1] It can infest mice and, rarely, other rodents.[2] Like all mites the Myobia musculi mite has four pairs of legs but the first pair are very short, as an adaptation to grasping the hair shaft, giving the mite the appearance of having three pairs of legs.[3] The second pair of legs end in empodia (claw-like structures).[4] Adult mites are approximately 160–180 μm wide; females are 400–500 μm long, and males are 280–320 μm long.

The lifecycle of M. musculi takes 23 days.[3] Eggs are laid on a hair shaft, so hairless mice cannot become infested. The mites are generally found on the head, neck and shoulders of the mouse.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wall. Richard. Shearer. David. Veterinary Ectoparasites Biology, Pathology & Control.. 2008. John Wiley & Sons. Chichester. 9780470680223. 50. 2nd. Myobia musculi.
  2. Sanford H. Feldman & Abraham M. Ntenda . 2011 . Phylogenetic analysis of Myobia musculi (Schranck, 1781) by using the 18S small ribosomal subunit sequence . Comparative Medicine . 61 . 6 . 484–491 . 22330574 . 3236689.
  3. Book: Pritchett-Corning. KR. Clifford. CB. Hedrich. Hans J.. The laboratory mouse. 2012. Academic. Amsterdam. 9780123820082. 512–515. 2nd. Chapter 3.4: Parasitic infections of laboratory mice. External parasites of laboratory mice.
  4. Book: Hendrix. CM. Robinson. E. Diagnostic Parasitology for Veterinary Technicians. 2016. Elsevier Health Sciences. 9780323389815. 249. 5th.
  5. Book: Barthold. SW. Griffey. SM. Percy. DH. Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits. 2016. John Wiley & Sons. 9781118924044. 86–87. 4th. Ectoparasitic infestations: Fur mite infestations: Acariasis.

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