Knemidokoptes

Knemidokoptes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Sarcoptiformes
Family: Epidermoptidae
Subfamily: Knemidokoptinae
Genus: Knemidokoptes
Fürstenberg, 1870
Species

Knemidokoptes pilae
Knemidokoptes mutans

Synonyms
  • Cnemidocoptes Cambridge, 1875
  • Cnemidocoptes Lavoipierre & Griffiths, 1951
  • Knemidocoptes Oudemans, 1898

Knemidokoptes is a genus of parasitic mites in the family Epidermoptidae that infect the skin or feather follicles of birds, especially gallinaceous birds (chickens, pheasants, and relatives) as well as parakeets and canaries.[1][2] Infection commonly causes scaly lesions to form at the face or feet, which is known as knemidocoptiasis.

It was formerly placed in the family Knemidokoptidae, which is now treated as a subfamily with 15 species grouped in six genera.[3]

  1. ^ Mullen, Gary; Durden, Lance, eds. (2002). Medical and veterinary entomology. San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press/Elsevier. pp. 485–486. ISBN 9780080536071.
  2. ^ Bowman, Dwight D. (2009). Georgis' parasitology for veterinarians (9th ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders/Elsevier. p. 67. ISBN 978-1416044123.
  3. ^ Dabert, J; Mihalca, AD; Sándor, AD (2011). "The first report of Knemidocoptes intermedius Fain et Macfarlane, 1967 (Acari: Astigmata) in naturally infected European birds". Parasitol. Res. 109 (237–240): 237–240. doi:10.1007/s00436-011-2390-8. PMID 21503637. S2CID 20928414.