Some new pilicolous mites from South African mammals

Abstract

In March 1945 the writer had the opportunity of examining a young specimen of the South African lemur, Otolemur crassicaudatus garnetti, formerly known as Galago garnetti (Ogilby), sent into the Museum by Mr N. A. W. Macpherson from Cato Ridge near Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Fourteen Cheyletid mites were found in the fur on the back of the animal, some of them fairly active and none attached to the hairs of the body. In August 1946 a further number of mites belonging to the same family was taken from the fur of the slender mongoose, Myonax cauui punctulatus (Gray) captured at Mooi River. Finally, a number of larval Trombidiform mites were collected from the skin of a golden mole, Amblysomus hottentotus longiceps (Broom), donated by Mr R. S. Crass from Curry's Post near Pietermaritzburg.