| Abstrakt: |
Mites of the genus Megninia are known to occur in Mexico since 1979. In 1987 three Megninia species were found in different states. In Yucatan, the presence of M. ginglymura was reported and recently hens were observed to suffer from feather loss and skin lesions in several hen farms. To determine the development of these mites during the year, samples were collected each month, from January until December 2005, in hen farms near Merida, Yucatan. Random samples were taken from five hens, taking feathers from various anatomical regions, such as head, dorsum, legs, wings, vent, anterior face of thigh, and pectoral zone. The samples were transported to the laboratory, where mites were mounted on slides employing Hoyer's liquid. All developmental phases – larvae, protonymph, tritonymph, and adult (female and male) – were identified and counted. A total of 2,461 mites were observed: 58.7% adult (41.4% females, 17.3% males), 12.3% tritonymh, 12.0% protonymph, and 16.7% larva. Two peaks of population development of M. ginglymura occurred, one in July and the other in November. These peaks suggest seasonality, with two biological cycles per year. Megninia is present all year long, although at a lower population density in March and October. Therefore, we propose to combat M. ginglymura in June and early November, i.e., 1 month before they become abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
