Otodectes | |
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Otodectes ear mite | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Sarcoptiformes |
Family: | Psoroptidae |
Genus: | Otodectes |
Species: | O. cynotis
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Binomial name | |
Otodectes cynotis Hering, 1838
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Otodectes is a genus of parasitic mite in the superfamily Psoroptidae (the biting cohort of the Sarcoptiformes order of mites). There is a single species of mite in this genus, Otodectes cynotis.[1] This mite is within the class Arachnida and subclass Acari for mites and ticks. Otodectes are external parasites (ectoparasites) of dogs, cats and ferrets,[2] but can be found on many other mammals.[3] Otodectes is found worldwide.[4]
The mite is 0.4 mm (0.016 in) in size,[2] approximately the size of a grain of salt, and can be seen with the naked eye.[5] It lives in the external ear canal of its host, and causes intense irritation leading to otitis externa.[2]
The lifecycle of O. cynotis takes approximately three weeks.[1]
Otodectes cynotis is typically spread by direct contact with infected species and does not have evidence of living in the environment for transmission.[6]