Feather mites of the genus Pandalura Hull (Astigmata: Psoroptidae) from owls and caprimulgiforms

Abstract

Two new species of the feather mite genus Pandalura Hull, 1934 (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae) are described for the first time from birds of the order Caprimulgiformes: Pandalura oconnori sp. n. from Steatornis caripensis Humboldt, 1817 (Steatornithidae), and Pandalura podargi sp. nov. from Podargus strigoides (Latham, 1802) (Podargidae). Two previously described species of this genus from owls (Strigiformes: Strigidae) are redescribed based on materials from corresponding type hosts: P. strigisoti (Buchholz, 1869) from Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758), and P. cirrata (Muller, 1860) comb nov. from Bubo bubo (Linnaeus, 1758). An improved diagnosis of the genus Pandalura and a key to known species are provided.