Family FALCULIFERIDAE Oudemans, 1905

Museums

Regional Maps

• Falculigerinae Oudemans, A.C. 1905. Acarologische aanteekeningen. XVI. Entomologische Berichten (Amsterdam) 1(22): 216-218 [original spelling].

Introduction

The Falculiferidae is a family of 14 genera and about 50 species of feather mites, all of which occur on doves and pigeons in the Order Columbiformes (Gaud & Atyeo 1996; OConnor 2009). The known Australian fauna includes only two species, both of which are cosmopolitan on common pigeons. They can be abundant, but do not appear to seriously harm their hosts (Seddon 1968). As with most families of feather mites, many more species will be found when the mite fauna of Australian birds is surveyed more extensively.

General References

Gaud, J. & Atyeo, W.T. 1996. Feather mites of the world (Acarina, Astigmata) The supraspecific taxa. Annales du Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Tervuren Belgique 277: Pt I, 1-193, Pt II, 1-436

OConnor, B.M. 2009. Cohort Astigmatina. pp. 565–657 in Krantz, G.W. & Walter, D.E. (eds). A Manual of Acarology. Lubbock, Texas : Texas Tech University Press Third edition, 807 pp.

Seddon, H.R. 1968. Diseases of Domestic Animals in Australia. Part 3. Arthropod Infestations (Ticks and Mites). Commonwealth of Australia Department of Health, Service Publication (Veterinary Hygeine) (Revised by H. E. Albiston) Vol. 7 170 pp.

History of changes