Demodex labialis sp. nov. (Acariformes: Demodecidae) from the European Mole Talpa europaea in the Context of the Soricomorpha Demodecid Mites

The biodiversity of parasitic skin mites, including the Demodecidae of soricomorph mammals, is very poorly known. So far only seven species from this family have been described, associated with four host species: two each from the common shrew Sorex araneus, the lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens and the Mediterranean water shrew Neomys anomalus (Soricomorpha: Soricidae), and one from the European mole Talpa europaea (Soricomorpha: Talpidae), known from single or few records, only from Europe. However, another species from the European mole has presently been described, Demodex labialis sp. nov.; this species is characterized by strict topographic specificity, inhabiting only the lip area. The demodecid mites of the mole have low infection potential, due to the host's lifestyle limiting the possibility of parasite transmission, and its restricted location. As such it appears rare: it has been found in only 9.7% (95% confidence interval 2.7–25.5) of 31 examined moles, with a mean intensity of 10.7. However, this mite probably occurs in moles throughout its range.