Otodectes
Genus of mites
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otodectes is a genus of parasitic mite in the superfamily Psoroptidae (the biting cohort of the Sarcoptiformes order of mites). There is a single species of mite in this genus, Otodectes cynotis.[1] This mite is within the class Arachnida and subclass Acari for mites and ticks. Otodectes are external parasites (ectoparasites) of dogs, cats and ferrets,[2] but can be found on many other mammals.[3] Otodectes is found worldwide.[4]
| Otodectes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Otodectes ear mite | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Sarcoptiformes |
| Family: | Psoroptidae |
| Genus: | Otodectes |
| Species: | O. cynotis |
| Binomial name | |
| Otodectes cynotis Hering, 1838 | |
The mite is 0.4 mm (0.016 in) in size,[2] approximately the size of a grain of salt, and can be seen with the naked eye.[5] It lives in the external ear canal of its host, and causes intense irritation leading to otitis externa.[2]
The lifecycle of O. cynotis takes approximately three weeks.[1]
Otodectes cynotis is typically spread by direct contact with infected species and does not have evidence of living in the environment for transmission.[6]
Etymology
New Latin Otodectes is from Greek prefix "ωτο- (ōto-)" meaning "ear" and the Greek word "δήκτης (dēktēs)" meaning "beggar."[7]
