Evidence of co-parasitism between different species of chiggers (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) parasitizing cricetid rodents in Morro Grande Forest reserve, São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract

Chigger mites are ectoparasites of terrestrial vertebrates and can even bite humans, causing lesions on their skins. The co-parasitism is gradually being reported for this family, and recent studies have highlighted this relationship worldwide. In Brazil, only some records of chigger species co-parasitizing rodents and lizards in the Pernambuco and Piauí States were done. The present study reports six co-parasitism situations in cricetid rodents collected in the Morro Grande Forest Reserve, Cotia Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil.