An integrative approach to explore species limits in Laelaps mazzai Fonseca, 1939 (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae), a South American widespread mite parasitizing the cricetid Calomys Waterhouse, 1837

ESPINOZA-CARNIGLIA M; GALLIARI C; FANTOZZI MC; BELDOMENICO PM; LARESCHI M

ACTA TROPICA

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2023 vol. 240 p. 106836 - 106836

0001-706X

Laelaps mazzai Fonseca, 1939 (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) parasitizes several species of the widespread SouthAmerican rodent genus Calomys Waterhouse, 1837. Morphological variation has been noticed within thislaelapid but has yet to be analyzed. Since several other species of laelapids that initially were considered generalistshave resulted in host-specific species, after further analyses, herein we explored, through morphologyand genetics, the variation of this parasite across six species of Calomys, trying to establish if it constitutes apolymorphic species or a complex of cryptic host specific-species. An integrative approach was applied, includingprincipal component and discriminant analyses of females and males and DNA sequences (nuclear region ITS andthe COI gene). The obtained results indicate that female mites tend to differentiate only the sizes of their dorsalshield among host species but with extensive overlapping. At the same time the males lack metrical differentiation,and the genetic evidence failed to resolve specific-species clades. We conclude that L. mazzai is a singlewidespread mite with little genetic and phenotypic differentiation.