Characteristics of chigger mite (Hannemania sp.) parasitism on Eleutherodactylus marnockii (Amphibia : Leptodactylidae)

Abstract

Hannemania mite larvae are known to infest a variety of amphibian species but no data exist for characteristics of Hannemania parasitizing the cliff chirping frog, Eleutherodactylus marnockii. Ninety-four Museum Specimens of E. marnockii from central Texas were examined to address potential differential parasitism by sex and the distribution of Hannemania mites found encapsulated within this host. Additionally, mites from one specimen of E. marnockii were found to be Hannemania monticola. No difference was found in the number of mites encapsulated in females or males despite considerable sexual dimorphism in body size and a strong effect of body size on the number of mites. Male and female E. marnockii have similar home ranges and these results support a home range hypothesis to explain the similarity in the number of mites found in males and females. The hind legs and hind feet of E. marnockii had about 40% more mites than all other regions of the body combined. This may be because hind legs and hind feet have a greater frequency of contact with mites, or the mites prefer to attach in the legs and feet.