Reptile-parasite
Guides
Amblyomma dissimile
Iguana Tick
Amblyomma dissimile is a hard tick (Ixodidae) with an exceptionally broad host range spanning amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds across the Neotropics. It is commonly known as the Iguana Tick due to frequent associations with iguanid lizards. The species exhibits a three-host life cycle and has been documented to reproduce parthenogenetically. Its distribution extends from the southern United States through Central America and South America to northern Argentina, with highest environmental suitability in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes.
Pimeliaphilus
Pimeliaphilus is a genus of parasitic mites in the family Pterygosomatidae. Species within this genus are ectoparasites of insects and reptiles, with documented hosts including reduviid bugs (Triatoma, Meccus), tenebrionid beetles (Trachyderma), and geckos (Hemidactylus). The genus exhibits host specificity ranging from oligoxenous to stenoxenous patterns. Several species have been investigated for their potential as biological control agents against triatomine vectors of Chagas disease.
Pterygosomatidae
scale mites
Pterygosomatidae is a family of prostigmatic mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as scale mites. These mites are obligate ectoparasites of lizards, primarily infesting the skin and scales of their reptilian hosts. The family includes multiple genera, notably Pterygosoma, Geckobia, Geckobiella, Pimeliaphilus, and Neopterygosoma. Species within this family exhibit high host specificity, with particular mite lineages associated with specific lizard families including Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Liolaemidae, and Gerrhosauridae.
Pterygosomatoidea
Pterygosomatoidea is a superfamily of mites within the order Trombidiformes. These arachnids are part of the diverse Prostigmata lineage, which includes many parasitic and predatory mite groups. The superfamily encompasses several families of mites that are primarily associated with reptiles as hosts. They represent a specialized evolutionary radiation within the Eleutherengona infraorder.