First record of Syringophiloidus glandarii (Fritsch) in Türkiye, with an updated overview of the quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of Türkiye

Abstract

Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) are obligatory and permanent ectoparasites of birds inhabiting the inner part of the quill (calamus) of various types of feathers. These mites spend their entire life cycle inside the feather quills and are widely distributed among various bird groups. Currently, the family Syringophilidae comprises hundreds of species reported from numerous avian orders worldwide, and recent taxonomic studies have demonstrated that the biodiversity of this group is considerably higher than previously assumed. In the present study, quill mites recovered from the calamus of contour feathers of the Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius Linnaeus) and the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica Linnaeus) were examined, resulting in the first record of Syringophiloidus glandarii (Fritsch) in Türkiye. The present record increases the number of syringophilid mite species known from Türkiye to 10, representing seven genera. In addition, an updated checklist of the Syringophilidae species reported from Türkiye is provided. The present findings not only expand the known geographical distribution of S. glandarii but also contribute to the knowledge of the quill mite fauna of Türkiye. Furthermore, the available data indicate that the fauna of quill mites in Türkiye remains insufficiently investigated. Detailed studies focusing on different bird orders and geographical regions are expected to reveal new records of species, host associations, and distributions.