Nasal Mites of the Mourning Dove

Authors

Andrew B. Couch Jr., Southern Methodist University
B. Grabstald, Southern Methodist University
Kenneth J. Kimbrough, Southern Methodist University

Abstract

Crossley (1952) described a species of nasal mite, Neonyssus zenaidurae, from the mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura) collected in Texas and Georgia. In his study mites were obtained from 10 of 19 doves examined. Owen (1958) found this species of mite in mourning doves collected in Alabama. He reported an infestation of 4 out of 10 birds (average: 1.5 mites per dove), for one county; and 3 of 10 birds (average: 2.6 mites per dove) for another county. Our method of recovery was similar to that described by Owen. The nasal cavities were separated sagitally, with scissors, from the tip of the beak to the anterior region of the brain. Each half was examined under a wide-field microscope. The parasites when present were found embedded in the mucous secretions and upon the tissues of the nasal cavities. Dissecting needles were used to extricate the specimens and to place them in 70% alcohol. The mites were macerated in 20% KOH for 24 hours to remove adhering tissues. Hoyer's medium is recommended for mounting; if the specimen is mounted in Hoyer's medium and heated soon after the mounting procedures are complete, maceration in KOH is unnecessary.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Recommended Citation

Couch, Andrew B. Jr.; Grabstald, B.; and Kimbrough, Kenneth J. (1962) "Nasal Mites of the Mourning Dove," Journal of the Graduate Research Center: Vol. 30: No. 1, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholar.smu.edu/journal_grc/vol30/iss1/8