Laelaps (mite)
Encyclopedia
Laelaps is a genus of common parasitic mites in the family Laelapidae
. Species, with their hosts, include:
Unnamed or unidentified species have been reported on Gerbilliscus robustus and Acomys wilsoni in Tanzania and on the marsh rice rat
(Oryzomys palustris) in Florida and Georgia.
skeleton (ANSP
9995) was found in New Jersey
by workers in a quarry belonging to the upper part of the New Egypt Formation. Paleontologist E.D. Cope
described the remains, naming the creature "Laelaps" ("storm wind", after the dog in Greek mythology
that never failed to catch what it was hunting). "Laelaps" became one of the first dinosaurs described from North America
(following Hadrosaurus
, Aublysodon
and Trachodon
). Subsequently, it was discovered that the name "Laelaps" had already been given to a genus of mite
, and Cope's lifelong rival O.C. Marsh
changed the name in 1877 to Dryptosaurus.
Laelapidae
Laelapidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.-Genera:* Aetholaelaps Strandtmann & Camin, 1956* Alphalaelaps Radford, 1951* Andreacarus Radford, 1953* Androlaelaps Berlese, 1903* Angosomaspis Costa, 1971...
. Species, with their hosts, include:
- Laelaps acuminata – OecomysOecomysOecomys is a genus of rodent within the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It contains about 17 species, which live in trees and are distributed across forested parts of South America, extending into Panama and Trinidad.-Literature cited:...
- Laelaps agilis – Rattus
- Laelaps alaskensis – Blarina, Dicrostonyx, Lemmiscus, Lemmus, MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, Mustela, Myodes, Myotis, Napaeozapus, Ochrotomys, Ondatra, Onychomys, Parascalops, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus...
, Phenacomys, Poliocitellus, SorexSorexThe genus Sorex includes many of the common shrews of Eurasia and North America. Members of this genus, known as long-tailed shrews, are the only members of the tribe Soricini of the subfamily Soricinae...
, Synaptomys, Thomomys - Laelaps boultoni – NeacomysNeacomysThe genus Neacomys, also known as bristly mice because of their spiny fur, includes several species of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is most closely related to Oligoryzomys, Oreoryzomys, and Microryzomys. Neacomys species are mainly found in Amazonia, but N. pictus occurs...
, Sigmodon, OligoryzomysOligoryzomysOligoryzomys is a genus of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. Many species are known as pygmy rice rats or colilargos...
, OecomysOecomysOecomys is a genus of rodent within the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It contains about 17 species, which live in trees and are distributed across forested parts of South America, extending into Panama and Trinidad.-Literature cited:...
, HeteromysHeteromysHeteromys is a genus of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.It contains the following species:* Trinidad Spiny Pocket Mouse * Southern Spiny Pocket Mouse... - Laelaps castroi – OligoryzomysOligoryzomysOligoryzomys is a genus of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. Many species are known as pygmy rice rats or colilargos...
- Laelaps clethrionomydis – MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, Myodes - Laelaps conula – RhipidomysRhipidomysRhipidomys is a genus of rodents in the family Cricetidae, comprising at least 18 species of climbing mouse:* Southern Climbing Mouse * Cariri Climbing Mouse...
- Laelaps crinigera – OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands...
- Laelaps dearmasi – ZygodontomysZygodontomysZygodontomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of the family Cricetidae. Its closest relative may be Scolomys. It ranges from Central America east to the Guianas. It contains two species: Zygodontomys brunneus and Zygodontomys brevicauda....
- Laelaps differens
- Laelaps echidnina – Rattus, DidelphisDidelphisThe six species in the genus Didelphis, commonly known as large American opossums, are members of the Didelphimorphia order....
, Sigmodon, Mus, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus...
, Sylvilagus - Laelaps evansi – Neofiber
- Laelaps exceptionalis – "wild rat"
- Laelaps flexa – MicroryzomysMicroryzomysMicroryzomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is closely related to Oreoryzomys, Oligoryzomys, and Neacomys. It contains two species, both restricted to the Andes: Microryzomys altissimus and Microryzomys minutus.-Literature cited:*Musser, G.G. and Carleton,...
- Laelaps giganteus – Lemniscomys
- Laelaps incilis – MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, NeotamiasNeotamiasNeotamias is a genus of chipmunks within the tribe Marmotini of the squirrel family. It contains 23 species, which mostly occur in western North America...
, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus... - Laelaps kochi – Blarina, CorynorhinusCorynorhinusThe genus Corynorhinus consists of the lump-nosed bats, or American long-eared bats. Only three species occur in the genus, all occurring in North America. Members of this group were previously in the genus Plecotus. Populations of these species are generally uncommon and declining. Two...
, Dicrostonyx, Dipodomys, Glaucomys, MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, Mustela, Myodes, Napaeozapus, NeotamiasNeotamiasNeotamias is a genus of chipmunks within the tribe Marmotini of the squirrel family. It contains 23 species, which mostly occur in western North America...
, NeovisonNeovisonA genus of Mustelids, including the extinct sea mink and the extant American mink....
, NeurotrichusNeurotrichusNeurotrichus is a genus of shrew-like moles. It is classified, together with the fossil genus Quyania, in the tribe Neurotrichini of the subfamily Talpinae. The only living species is the American shrew-mole of the northwestern United States and British Columbia...
, Ondatra, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus...
, Phenacomys, Sigmodon, SorexSorexThe genus Sorex includes many of the common shrews of Eurasia and North America. Members of this genus, known as long-tailed shrews, are the only members of the tribe Soricini of the subfamily Soricinae...
, Synaptomys, Tamias, ZapusZapusZapus is a genus of North American jumping mice. It is the only genus whose members have the dental formula: Zapus are the only extant mammals with a total of 18 teeth .... - Laelaps lavieri – Mus
- Laelaps lemmi – Lemmus
- Laelaps liberiensis – MastomysMastomysMastomys is a genus of rodent in the family Muridae.It contains the following species:* Awash Mastomys * Southern Multimammate Mouse * Guinea Multimammate Mouse...
- Laelaps manguinhosiLaelaps manguinhosiLaelaps manguinhosi is a species of parasitic mite in the family Laelapidae. In the United States, it has been found on the marsh rice rat in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina...
– HolochilusHolochilusHolochilus is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae, sometimes called marsh rats. It contains three living species, Holochilus brasiliensis, Holochilus chacarius, and Holochilus sciureus, which are widely distributed in South America east of the Andes, and a...
, NectomysNectomysNectomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is closely related to Amphinectomys and was formerly considered congeneric with Sigmodontomys...
, NeusticomysNeusticomysNeusticomys is a genus of semiaquatic South American rodents in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Ferreira's Fish-eating Rat * Montane Fish-eating Rat...
, and various other mammals - Laelaps mazzai – Calomys, OligoryzomysOligoryzomysOligoryzomys is a genus of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. Many species are known as pygmy rice rats or colilargos...
- Laelaps multispinosa – Castor, DidelphisDidelphisThe six species in the genus Didelphis, commonly known as large American opossums, are members of the Didelphimorphia order....
, MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, Mustela, NeovisonNeovisonA genus of Mustelids, including the extinct sea mink and the extant American mink....
, Ondatra, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus...
, ProcyonProcyon (genus)Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are... - Laelaps muricola – MastomysMastomysMastomys is a genus of rodent in the family Muridae.It contains the following species:* Awash Mastomys * Southern Multimammate Mouse * Guinea Multimammate Mouse...
- Laelaps muris – MicrotusMicrotusThe genus Microtus is a group of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus....
, Ondatra - Laelaps navasi – OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands...
- Laelaps nuttalli – MusMus-Computing:* Mus, a file extension used by Finale * MUS, the internal music format used in Doom -Three-letter acronyms:* Mitsubishi UFJ Securities * MUS, the NATO country code for Mauritius...
, Ochrotomys, PeromyscusPeromyscusThe genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus...
, Rattus, SciurusSciurusThe genus Sciurus contains most of the common, bushy-tailed squirrels in North America, Europe, temperate Asia, Central America and South America.-Species:There are 30 species.Genus Sciurus - Tree squirrels*Subgenus Sciurus... - Laelaps ovata – NephelomysNephelomysNephelomys is a genus of South American oryzomyine rodents found in the Andes from Bolivia to Venezuela, with a westward extension into the mountains of Costa Rica...
- Laelaps paulistanensis – RhipidomysRhipidomysRhipidomys is a genus of rodents in the family Cricetidae, comprising at least 18 species of climbing mouse:* Southern Climbing Mouse * Cariri Climbing Mouse...
, OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands... - Laelaps pilifer – OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands...
- Laelaps spicata – OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands...
- Laelaps stupkai – Synaptomys
- Laelaps surcomata – RhipidomysRhipidomysRhipidomys is a genus of rodents in the family Cricetidae, comprising at least 18 species of climbing mouse:* Southern Climbing Mouse * Cariri Climbing Mouse...
- Laelaps thori
Unnamed or unidentified species have been reported on Gerbilliscus robustus and Acomys wilsoni in Tanzania and on the marsh rice rat
Marsh Rice Rat
The marsh rice rat is a semiaquatic North American rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found mostly in the eastern and southern United States, from New Jersey and Kansas south to Florida and northeasternmost Tamaulipas, Mexico; its range previously extended further west and north, where it may...
(Oryzomys palustris) in Florida and Georgia.
Synonym of Dryptosaurus
In 1866, an incomplete theropod dinosaurDinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
skeleton (ANSP
Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, formerly Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the New World...
9995) was found in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
by workers in a quarry belonging to the upper part of the New Egypt Formation. Paleontologist E.D. Cope
Edward Drinker Cope
Edward Drinker Cope was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist and ichthyologist. Born to a wealthy Quaker family, Cope distinguished himself as a child prodigy interested in science; he published his first scientific paper at the age of nineteen...
described the remains, naming the creature "Laelaps" ("storm wind", after the dog in Greek mythology
Laelaps (mythology)
Laelaps was a Greek mythological dog who never failed to catch what he was hunting. In one version of Laelaps' origin, he was a gift from Zeus to Europa. The hound was passed down to King Minos. Minos had been cursed by his wife; he ejaculated scorpions and spiders that would devour the genitals...
that never failed to catch what it was hunting). "Laelaps" became one of the first dinosaurs described from North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
(following Hadrosaurus
Hadrosaurus
Hadrosaurus is a valid genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur. In 1858, a skeleton of a dinosaur from this genus was the first dinosaur skeleton known from more than isolated teeth to be found in North America. In 1868, it became the first ever mounted dinosaur skeleton...
, Aublysodon
Aublysodon
Aublysodon is a name given to a large number of carnivorous dinosaur teeth of a certain form found in numerous late Cretaceous period geological formations...
and Trachodon
Trachodon
Trachodon is a dubious genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur based on teeth from the Campanian-age Upper Cretaceous Judith River Formation of Montana, U.S.A...
). Subsequently, it was discovered that the name "Laelaps" had already been given to a genus of mite
Mite
Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...
, and Cope's lifelong rival O.C. Marsh
Othniel Charles Marsh
Othniel Charles Marsh was an American paleontologist. Marsh was one of the preeminent scientists in the field; the discovery or description of dozens of news species and theories on the origins of birds are among his legacies.Born into a modest family, Marsh was able to afford higher education...
changed the name in 1877 to Dryptosaurus.
Literature cited
- Furman, D.P. 1972. Laelapid mites (Laelapidae: Laelapinae) from Venezuela. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin 17(3):1–58.
- Morlan, H.B. 1952. Host relationships and seasonal abundance of some Southwest Georgia ectoparasites (subscription required). American Midland Naturalist 48(1):74–93.
- Stanley, W.T., Rogers, M.A., Senzota, R.B.M., Mturi, F.A., Kihaule, P.M., Moehlman, P.D. and O'Connor, B.M. 2007. Surveys of small mammals in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. Journal of East African Natural History 96(1):47–71.
- Whitaker, J.O. and Wilson, N. 1974. Host and distribution lists of mites (Acari), parasitic and phoretic, in the hair of wild mammals of North America, north of Mexico (subscription required). American Midland Naturalist 91(1):1–67.
- Whitaker, J.O., Walters, B.L., Castor, L.K., Ritzi, C.M. and Wilson, N. 2007. Host and distribution lists of mites (Acari), parasitic and phoretic, in the hair or on the skin of North American wild mammals north of Mexico: records since 1974. Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 1:1–173.
- Worth, C.B. 1950. Observations on ectoparasites of some small mammals in Everglades National Park and Hillsborough County, Florida (subscription required). The Journal of Parasitology 36(4):326–335.