The systematic position of the genus Chirobia Fain, 1959 (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae) with a description of Chirobia harpyionycteris n. sp. from the Old World fruit bat Harpyionycteris whiteheadi (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

Abstract

A new species of Chirobia Fain, 1959, C. harpyionycteris n. sp., parasitic on the Old World fruit bat Harpyionycteris whiteheadi (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) is described and illustrated, with notes on its ecology. The assemblage of the genera Chirobia, Teinocoptes Rodhain, 1923 and Tychosarcoptes Fain, 1976 forms a monophyletic group within the family Sarcoptidae. Within this group, Chirobia is monophyletic, with a sister group relationship between C. harpyionycteris and the assemblage of all previously described Chirobia species. The status of Teinocoptes remains uncertain, but the available evidence suggests that this genus may be paraphyletic.