Demodex murilegi and Demodex obliquus , two new specific skin mites from domestic cat Felis catus , with notes on parasitism

Abstract The Demodecidae are skin and tissue parasites of mammals with high host, topical, and topographic specificity. They may cause a demodecosis, typically observed in pets and humans. Numerous mammal species have been found to have several, specific demodecids, which inhabit different microhabitats. Thus far, two species have been known from the domestic cat, namely Demodex cati Megnin, 1877 (Acariformes: Demodecidae) and D. gatoi Desch and Stewart, 1999; however, there have been indications for the presence of other demodecid mites in this host. Presently, two other species are described, D. murilegi sp. nov. associated primarily with the skin from the area of lips and nose, and D. obliquus sp. nov. associated with the skin of the lower part of the limb. They exhibit morphological discreteness in terms of qualitative traits significant for Demodecidae taxonomy. Demodex murilegi sp. nov. is larger than both known species, and D. obliquus sp. nov. is intermediate in length between them. It is likely that infection with different Demodex species may result in variable symptoms and courses of demodecosis; however, a correct identification of the species causing the parasitosis is needed to confirm this. Thus, the present study compares the taxonomic traits of four cat demodecid mites.