Anna Labrzycka’s research while affiliated with Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and other places

Twenty species of the genus Schizocarpus Trouessart, 1896 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) are recorded from six live individuals of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber belorussicus Lavrov (Rodentia: Castoridae) captured by modified fish-traps near Wizajny village (Suwałki, north-eastern Poland). Eight species are described as new: Schizocarpus heatherae sp. nov., S. faini sp. nov., S. klompeni sp. nov., S. parahumilis sp. nov., S. gozdziewskii sp. nov., S. pseudonumerosus sp. nov., S. zurowskii sp. nov., and S. testiculatus sp. nov. Twelve previously described species are as follows: S. brachyurus (Dubinina, 1964), S. capitis (Dubinina, 1964), S. curtus Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, S. fedjushini (Dubinina, 1964), S. insignis Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, S. intercalatus Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, S. numerosus (Dubinina, 1964), S. parvus (Dubinina, 1964), S. pygidialis Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, S. radiatus Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, S. subhexapilis Fain and Lukoschus, 1985, and S. subparvus (Dubinina, 1964). Data on geographical distribution and microhabitats of Schizocarpus spp. detected on C. f. belorussicus in the Suwałki population are summarized in table format.

A new species of the poorly known feather mite genus Anhemialges Gaud, 1958 is described from the Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita. Anhemialges bakeri sp. nov. differs from all other species of the genus by the shape of setae w and s on tarsi III, which are hair-like and slightly thickened in basal and median parts. In all other described species of Anhemialges, setae w and s on tarsi III are blade-like or shaped as thick spines. The lack of leg III hypertrophy is discussed and interpreted as characteristic feature of the species rather than male homeomorphy. Remarks about the recent and possible species richness of the genus Anhemialges are given. Keywords Anhemialges -passerine birds-male polymorphism-host-symbiont relationships

Szeptyckiana, a new genus of the feather mite family Pterolichidae (Pterolichoidea), is described based on two new species, S. macrosetosa sp. n. (type species), and S. microsetosa sp. n., collected from the wing feathers of a museum specimens of the Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius (Drapiez, 1824) (Falconidae). This highly plesiomorphic new genus is characterized by pseudorutellar membranes with net-like pattern of hexagonal cells, complete idiosomal chaetotaxy, lanceolate setae c3, free epimerites I, and dagger-like setae cG on genua I and II. Males have very short opisthosomal lobes with tongue-shaped terminal membranes, genital and anal region not sclerotized, medium-sized aedeagus and minute adanal discs, not modified legs similar in size, tarsi IV with small apico-ventral claw, and setae d on tarsi IV shaped as short sticks; seta e absent. Females have large horseshoe-shaped epigynum, 1.4-1.7 times longer than wide, and the ends of legs IV not reaching posterior rounded margin of the body. The occurrence of two Szeptyckiana species on a single individual of M. fringillarius is the first record of feather mite lineage duplication on falconiform birds.

Two new ectoparasitic mite species of the families Myobiidae (Prostigmata) and Myocoptidae (Astigmata) are described from Poland: Acanthophthirius (Acantho-phthirius) longisetosussp. nov.from Vespertilio murinusLinnaeus, 1758 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and Trichoecius blaszakisp. nov.from Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) (Rodentia: Muridae).

Mites of the family Myocoptidae and Listrophoridae (Acari: Astigmata) are permanent, mono- or oligoxenous ectoparasites of mammals. Only 9 species from 4 genera of Myocoptidae are reported in Poland, as well 6 species from 4 genera of Listrophoridae, which are only a small fraction of huge number of these mites known in the world. This paper summarize known data about morphological features being adaptation of Myocoptidae and Listrophoridae to parasitize fur of mammals.

The European species of the genus Myobia are revised: Myobia murismusculi, M. multivaga, M. agraria, M. annae and M. micromydis. A new diagnosis of the subgenus Myobia, descriptions of the European species, keys to females, males and tritonymphs are provided. The host association and distribution of the myobiid species examined is discussed.