ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Volume 3, Issue 4, 2017, PP 11-18

ISSN No. (Online) 2455-2518
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2455-2518.0304002
www.arcjournals.org

Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex

bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes: Demodicidae) Isolated from
Cattle in the Sudan
Mukhtar Taha Abu-Samra, Yassir Adam Shuaib*
College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST), P.O. Box: 204
(Hilat Kuku), Khartoum North, the Sudan

*Corresponding Author: Yassir Adam Shuaib, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Sudan
University of Science and Technology (SUST), P.O. Box: 204 (Hilat Kuku), Khartoum North, the Sudan,
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: The ectoparasite Demodex bovis was isolated from fresh infected purulent material collected from
cattle with demodecosis. The life-cycle and ultrastructure of the mite were studied using scanning electron
microscope. The mite was tested for survival, motility, and type of motility in tap water, physiological saline,
and ringer’s solution at increasing temperatures. Furthermore, the survival time of D. bovis in 5% and 10%
potassium hydroxide was investigated. The life-cycle of D. bovis passed through several developmental stages
from ovum, larva, protonymph, nymph to adult male or female mites. All morphologic characteristics
observed under light microscopy were confirmed in electron photomicrographs. The mite showed maximum
motility at temperatures simulating the temperature of their habitat in the pilosebaceous units of their host.
The longest period of survival was recorded in physiological saline and Ringer’s solutions. Examination of
the mite during motility testing showed that the movement of the mite was of a crawling nature rather than a
fast free progressive movement. The legs of the mite moved forwards in an arc of a small radius and
backwards in an arc of maximum radius. This phenomenon allowed the mite to move forwards by pushing its
body to the front on the backward swing. The study added a valuable knowledge to the basic biology of D.
bovis. The ultrastructure, life cycle, and other biological characteristics of Demodex species isolated from
domestic animals in the Sudan should be investigated.
Keywords: Mite; ultrastructure; life-cycle; survival; motility

1. INTRODUCTION proportions, dimensions, and the position and

Today, over one hundred Demodex species form of many morphological structures in the
(class Arachnida, subclass Acarina) are known hair follicle mites. Such evolutionary changes
and all are highly specialized, host-specific and would make species identification difficult and
are named after their hosts (Baima and complicated (Bukva, 1991; Izdebska, 2009;
Sticherling, 2002; Radostits, et al., 2007; Jarmuda et al., 2012).
Jarmuda et al., 2012; OIE, 2016). Demodex The life cycle of Demodex mite has five phases
mites can infest different areas of the skin of of development including mating, deposition of
humans and animals causing cutaneous eggs, larval emergence, which develops to
pathology ranging from asymptomatic to severe protonymphs and nymphs and finally to adult
and potentially fatal diseases with numerous mite. The whole life cycle takes 14 to 18 days
skin and ocular symptoms (Gortel, 2006; Lacey (Desch and Nutting, 1977; Lacey et al., 2009;
et al., 2009; Lacey et al., 2011). The mites that Lacey et al., 2011). In the present work, the
are able to cause severe skin problems are of ultrastructure, life-cycle, survival and motility of
high medical and veterinary concern (Nutting, D. bovis mites isolated from cattle in the Sudan
1976; Jarmuda et al., 2012). were elaborately studied.
Demodex species have undergone several 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
evolutionary changes in a number of 2.1. Sample Collection
morphological features in order to be able to
Fresh infected purulent materials were collected
survive in their host tissues. Many differences
from nodules and pustules of 300 cattle
have been noticed in the shape, tagmata
investigated by Abu-Samra and Shuaib (2014).
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 11
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

These animals had skin lesions of demodectic under a microscope fitted with an eyepiece lens
mange that are confined to certain parts of the micrometer, and the measurements were
body or generalized. The lesions were in the recorded in µm. The identity of D. bovis mites
form of papules, nodules and papules, nodules was verified by plotting a graph of the total
and few pustules (Fig. 1), pustules and few length (µm) of 100 female mites. The
nodules or pustules and crust-covered lesions preparations were also mounted on an overhead
(Fig. 2). projector microscope with a screen (Leitz,
Wetzlar, Germany). The mite and all its
developmental stages were traced on a white
sheet of paper and retraced on tracing paper.
The samples were also prepared for examination
using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Each
sample was fixed in 3% buffered glutaraldhyde
at 4ºC for 24 hours. The fixed material was
processed by passing it through two changes of
isotonic saline for one hour each. The samples
Figure1. A cow infected with demodectic mange, were then dehydrated in ascending
showing pustules and nodules spread all over the concentrations of ethanol (25%, 50%, and 70%)
body for 1-2 hours each, in one change of 95%
ethanol for 15 min and finally in three changes
of 100% ethanol for 15 min each. The samples
were then critically dried in an E 3000 chamber
(Polaron Limited, England). A one cm
aluminum stubs (Cambridge Steroscan type)
were used to mount the specimens using “sticky
tabs” as an adhesive, coated in a Polaron E 5100
Series 11 cooled sputter coater to a thickness of
between 12 and 45 nm (15 nm/min) and were
finally viewed in a Cambridge Steroscan S4-10
Figure2. Pustules and crust-covered lesions of SEM.
demodectic mange involving extensive areas of the
body of a heifer. Note marked wrinkling and folding Survival, motility, and type of motility of D.
of the skin bovis were tested in tap water, physiological
2.2. Laboratory Investigations saline, and ringer’s solution at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,
30, 40, 45, and 50ºC. The survival time of the
Mites were isolated and permanently mounted
mite in 5% and 10% potassium hydroxide was
as previously described by Abu-Samra et al.,
also tested. Examination of the motility was
(1984). A small amount from each sample was
placed in the middle of a glass slide and 2-3 conducted by placing the sample in the middle
drops of 10% potassium hydroxide were added. of clean coverslips with edges smeared with a
The slide was then heated, covered with a thin film of petroleum jelly, and immediately
coverslip and examined under a microscope before examination, the wells of Kova-slides
fitted with a camera (BHA Olympus, Japan). (ICL Scientific, California) were filled with the
Another small amount from each sample was test solution at the required temperature and the
placed in a watch glass flooded with 10% coverslips with the infected material were
potassium hydroxide and left on the bench at carefully inverted over the Kova well containing
room temperature for 15 minutes, after that, the the test solution and examined under the
infected material was teased with a pair of microscope.
dissection needles until a homogenous material 3. RESULTS
was obtained. Afterward, a drop of the
homogenous material was transferred to the Adult D. bovis mites and all its developmental
middle of a glass slide. The slide was heated, stages were found in the crushed specimens of
covered with a coverslip and the excess fluid the infected purulent material extracted from
was removed. These preparations and the skin lesions (Fig. 3). D. bovis mites were
permanently mounted mites were examined isolated and identified (Fig. 4).
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 12
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

when the mite was viewed from the dorsal

surface. However, all four legs can be seen
when the mite was viewed from the lateral
surface (Fig. 8). The epimeral plates were
indistinct meeting smoothly at the midline (Fig.
9). The legs were stumpy with three short
segments with the third distal segment bearing a
pair of short equal claws. The body of male D.
Figure3. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM) bovis was slightly constricted posterior to
of purulent material extracted from skin lesions of epimera IV. The male genital organ is situated
bovine demodicosis showing the different in an oval-shaped shield on the mid-dorsal
developmental stages of Demodex bovis mites. SEM, surface at the level of epimeral plate II. It had a
Scale bar: 240 µm bulb-like tip and was slightly deviated to the left
of the mid-line. The female genital organ is a
longitudinal slit opening just behind the arched
posterior margin of epimeral plate IV (Fig. 10).
The opisthosoma was transversely striated and
gradually tapering to a rounded termiunus (Fig.
11). The striations meet at the terminus in an
elliptical fashion. The opisthosomal organ was
situated mid-ventrally and about 30µm from the
opisthosoma terminus. It is a sac-like structure
compressed dorso-ventrally. The ova were oval
Figure4. Demodex bovis isolated from purulent in shape (Fig. 12).
material extracted from skin lesions of bovine
demodicosis. Light microscopy, Scale bar: 180 µm
3.1. Ultrastructure and Morphologic
Characteristics of the Mite
The gnathosoma of D. bovis was roughly
trapezoidal in shape and wider at the base (Figs.
5). Dorsal view of the gnathosoma revealed a
spatula shaped epistome situated between two
roughly triangular-shaped segments of the
capitulum. The supracoxal spines were directed Figure5. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM)
medially and bifurcated distally. Ventral view of of the dorsal surface of gnathosoma of Demodex
the capitulum showed that it was roughly bovis mite, showing distal most segment of palp (A),
conical bearing a rectangular shaped lower jaw hypostome (B), capitulum (C), supra-coxal spine
plate with the mouth opening at its distal end (circle) and the first pair of legs (L I). Scale bar: 5
(Fig. 6). Coxa of palps and palps with two free µm
segments were also seen. The proximal segment
was salient, and the distal segment showed palp
setae. The dorsum of the podosoma showed
fingerprint-like inscriptions. An antero-dorsal
view the gnathosoma and frontal view of the
capitulum revealed a rectangular epistome
hanging over the mouth and covering the
chelicerae and labial sheath of chelicerae. The
two segments of palp were rounded in outline
and compressed antero-posteriorly (Fig. 7). The
proximal segment was salient and the distal
Figure6. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM)
segment II bears 5-6 distinct finger-like palp
of the ventral surface of gnathosoma and ¾ of the
setae. The first three pairs of legs were slightly podosoma of Demodex bovis mite, showing preoral
projecting outside the lateral surface of the opening (PO), segment I of palp (SI), segment II of
body, while the fourth pair were shorter and palp (SII), coxa (C) and first three pairs of legs (L I
were not projecting from the lateral surface – L III). Scale bar: 10 µm
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 13
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

Figure10. Scanning electron photomicrograph

(SEM), ventral surface of female Demodex bovis
Figure7. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM) mite, showing vulva (circle), proctodeal pore (PP)
of the antero-dorsal and frontal view of female and four pairs of stumpy legs (LI – L IV). Scale bar:
Demodex bovis mite, showing finger-like inscription 35 µm
on the dorsum of podosoma (A), coxa of palp (C),
mouth (M), palp setae (PS), segment 1 of palp (S I),
segment 2 of palp (S II) and claws (CL). Scale bar:
10 µm

Figure11. Scanning electron photomicrograph

(SEM), ventral surface of opisothoma of Demodex
bovis mite, showing proctodeal pore (PP) and
terminus (T). Scale bar: 175 µm

Figure8. Scanning electron photomicrograph (SEM),

lateral view of gnathosoma and podosoma of
Demodex bovis mite, showing four pairs of stumpy
legs (L I – L IV) and supracoxal spine (circle). Scale
bar: 10 µm

Figure12. Scanning electron photomicrograph

(SEM) of purulent material extracted from skin
lesions of bovine demodicosis, showing some
developmental stages of Demodex bovis mites. Note
adult mite (M), mites in molting sheath (MS) and
ovum (O). SEM, Scale bar: 65 µm
3.2. Life-Cycle of the Mite
Gravid females increased in width, and
produced fertilized ova (Fig. 13[1*]). The ova
underwent a series of maturation and
differentiation processes (Fig. 13[2*-10*]),
resulting in the appearance of a thin and regular
horse shoe-shaped structure at the cranial pole
of the ovum, representing the pharyngeal bulb
(Fig. 13[11*]). This structure became larger and
thicker, and showed two symmetrical knobs at
both ends (Fig. 13[12*]). The knobs fused
Figure9. Male Demodex bovis mite isolated from
purulent material extracted from skin lesions of posteriorly forming two small protuberances
bovine demodicosis, showing indistinct epimeral surmounting the body of the developing larva
plates (E I – E IV) and four stumpy legs (L I – L IV). within the ovum shell (Fig. 13[13*]). The
Note characteristic constriction posterior to epimra primary developing larva regressed to the caudal
IV (C). Light microscopy, Scale bar: 60 µm pole of the ovum shell (Fig. 13[14*]), and

ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 14

Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

ultimately freed itself from the ovum shell, isolated from purulent material extracted from skin
appearing in several stages (Fig. 13[15*- lesions of bovine demodicosis. Scale bar: 120 µm
17*]&14) before the final stage, in which it
made its appearance possessing three pairs of
buds at the ventero-lateral edge of the anterior
part of the body (Fig. 13[18*]). This final larval
stage had tiny palpal claws, peg supracoxal
spines and a horse shoe pharyngeal bulb
opening posteriorly. The final larval stage was
very brief and moulted undergoing a series of
changes in length and width (Fig. 15[1*- 4*]),
and developed to protonymph (Fig. 15[5*-6*]).
At this stage the protonymph had gnathosomal
structures similar to the larva but with three
pairs of epimeral scutes. The protonymph (Fig.
15[7*-9*]&16) moulted to a nymph, showing
four pairs of legs and four pairs of epimeral Figure15. Tracing of the different developmental
scutes. Finally, the nymph moulted to adult mite stages (1* –11a* and 11b*) of the life-cycle of
(Fig. 15[10*]), showing well developed Demodex bovis mite (larva – adult female and male
gnathosomal, podosomal and opisthosomal mites) isolated from purulent material extracted from
structures, and became sexually differentiated to skin lesions of bovine demodicosis. Overhead
female (Fig. 15[11a*]) and male (Fig. 15[11b*]) projector microscope, Scale bar: 140 µm
mites.

Figure13. Tracing of the different developmental

stages (1* – 18*) of the life-cycle of Demodex bovis
mite (ovum – larva) isolated from purulent material
extracted from skin lesions of bovine demodicosis.
Overhead projector microscope, Scale bar: 70 µm

Figure16. Light microscopy of stage 7*

(protonymph) in the life-cycle of Demodex bovis mite
(larva – adult female and male mites) isolated from
purulent material extracted from skin lesions of
bovine demodicosis. Scale bar: 50 µm bar: 50 µm
3.3. Survival and Motility of the Mite
The mite survived for 3 to 4 days in
physiological saline and Ringer’s solution. It
also survived for 2 days in tap and distilled
water and for 1.5-2 and 0.5-1 hours in 5% and
Figure14. Light microscopy of stage 16* (larva) in 10% potassium hydroxide. It was viable and
the life-cycle of Demodex bovis mite (ovum - larva) motile in all solutions but maximum motility
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 15
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

was observed in physiological saline and Mehlhorn (2015) who stated that the
Ringer’s solution. The mite was non-motile in development of six-legged larva I and eight-
all solutions at 5, 10, 40, 45, and 50ºC. legged protonymph I and II takes up to 10 days
Sluggish motility was observed at 15ºC, after laying of eggs in the hair follicles. After
improved at 20ºC and 25ºC and was active at that, adult mites emerge and reach maturity in
30ºC and 35ºC. The movement of the mite was about 30 days in total. The different
of a crawling nature rather than a fast free developmental stages of the mite and the stages
progressive. The legs moved forwards in an arc of differentiation, transformation and maturation
of a small radius and backwards in an arc of were clearly observed and studied. It was
maximum radius. This phenomenon allowed the noticed that each stage underwent several
mite to move only forwards. developmental, differentiation and
4. DISCUSSION transformation processes before the succeeding
stage appeared. Several developmental stages of
D. bovis is the most common mite of the three the larva were seen in most of the specimens
species of Demodex that are known to infest examined, but larvae possessing three pairs of
cattle. This mite infests the hair follicles and has legs were few in number. This was probably
a global geographical distribution although it is because the final larval stage was very brief
more common in tropical areas and is not
and/or on being relatively small in size, they
usually found in temperate parts of the world were capable of moving deep in the
(Matthes and Bukva, 1993; Radostits, et al., pilosebaceous canal and continuously feed on
2007; OIE, 2016). D. bovis is host specific and fresh sebum and degenerate small particles of
has not been detected in samples taken from damaged tissue that gravitated to the depth of
humans with skin problems, hence, it has no the of the pilosebaceous canal, before moulting
zoonotic importance (OIE, 2016). to protonymphs as elaborated by Spickett
In this study, male mites were less in occurrence (1961). Interestingly, the sequence of events
than female mites in all of the investigated from the final larval stage to the final adult stage
specimens. Such observations have been made was gradual and by no means an abrupt one.
since 1960s (Nemeseri and Szeky, 1961; and The mite D. bovis showed maximum motility at
Spickett, 1961). This could probably be temperatures simulating the temperature of their
attributed to the fact that fertilization takes place habitat in the pilosebaceous units of their host.
on the skin surface or in the follicle opening, Survival of the mites in physiological saline and
and male mites die few days after copulation, Ringer’s solutions for the longest period of time
while female mites move back to deposit eggs in was probably due to the fact that those solutions
the hair follicles where the environment were more nearly related to the conditions found
supports the development of the parasite (Rather in their habitat. In contrast, the mites survived
and Hassan, 2014). for 1.5 days in a dry atmosphere and for 3 days
Examination of D. bovis isolated from cattle in in a moist atmosphere and were destroyed at
the Sudan using the scanning electron 41ºC. Nutting (1976) reported that for several
microscope proved quite fruitful and added species of Demodex mites transfer must occur
valuable knowledge on the basic biology of the quickly once they were free on the skin surface
mite which is probably not recorded in the because they were rapidly killed by desiccation
available literature. All morphologic in ¾-1 hours at 20ºC and 40% relative humidity.
characteristics observed under light microscopy Nonetheless, Soulsby (1982) indicated that the
were confirmed in electron photomicrographs mites were fairly resistant and could survive for
but the minute structures in the different tagmata several days off the host when the surroundings
were demonstrated with a better resolution and were moist. Confirming the findings of Nutting
clearer form in the electron photomicrographs. (1976) and Rufli and Mumcuoglu (1981), the
Tracing the stages of development of the mite motility of the mite was noticed to be of a
enabled the assembly of its life cycle, which was crawling nature rather than a substantial
found to pass through ovum, larva, protonymph, progressive movement. This might be due to the
nymph and adult male or female mites. This structure of the legs of the mite was well
finding was typifying the findings of Desch and adapted for a crawling type of motility within
Nutting (1972), Rather and Hassan (2014), and the limited confines of the pilosebaceous units
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 16
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

resisting the highly viscous sebum that was [4] Bukva V. (1991): Structural reduction and
constantly secreted by the sebaceous glands. topological retrieval: problems in taxonomy of
Demodecidae. Modern Acarology, 1: 293–300.
In summary, this study added a valuable
[5] Desch, C.E. and Nutting W. B. (1977).
knowledge to the basic biology of D. bovis. Morphology and functional anatomy of
Morphologic characteristics of D. bovis isolated Demodex folliculorum. Acarologia., 19: 422–
from cattle in the Sudan was revealed using 462.
light microscopy and electron photo [6] Desch, C.E. and Nutting, W. B. (1972).
micrographs. Moreover, the stages of Demodicids of medical and veterinary
development of the mite were seen. The mite importance. Proc. 3rd. Internatl. Congress,
showed maximum motility at temperatures Acarology, Prauge. P. 499–505.
simulating the temperature of their habitat in [7] Gortel K. ( 2006 ). Update on canine
their host. And the longest period of time of demodicosis. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small
survival was in physiological saline and Anim. Pract., 36, 229–241
Ringer’s solutions. The ultrastructure, life cycle, [8] Izdebska J. (2009). Selected aspects of
and other biological characteristics of Demodex adaptations to the parasitism of hair
species such as D. ghanensis, D. felis, D. fol l i cl e mites from hoofed mammals.
caprae, D. equi, D. ovis, and D. canis isolated European Bison Conservation Newsletter, 2:
80-88.
from cattle with ocular demodicosis and cats,
goats, sheep, equines, and dogs with skin [9] Jarmuda S., O'Reilly N., Zaba R., Jakubowicz
demodicosis in the Sudan should be O., Szkaradkiewicz A., and Kavanagh K.
(2012):Potential role of Demodex mites and
investigated.
bacteria in the induction of rosacea. J Med
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Microbiol., 61(Pt 11):1504-10. doi: 10.1099/
jmm.0.048090-0
We are grateful to the Agricultural Research
[10] Lacey N., Kavanagh K., and Tseng S. C. ( 2009
Council, National Council for Research, ). Under the lash: Demodex mites in human
Khartoum, Sudan, for supporting this work. The diseases. Biochem (Lond), 31, 2–6
help of Dr. W.N. Beesley, Department of
[11] Lacey N., Ní Raghallaigh S., and Powell F. C. (
Veterinary Parasitology, Liverpool School of 2011). Demodex mites – commensals, parasites
Tropical Medicine, UK, and the late professor or mutualistic organisms? Dermatology, 222,
W.B. Nutting, Department of Zoology, 128–130.
University of Massachusetts, USA, is highly [12] Matthes H. F. and Bukva V. (1993): Features of
appreciated and acknowledged. Our thanks are Bovine Demodecosis (Demodex Bovis Stiles,
also extended to Professor Holmes and his 1892) In Mongolia: Preliminary Observations.
technical staff for their help and giving access to Folia Parasitologica, 154–155.
the Scanning Electron Microscope. We are also [13] Mehlhorn H. (2015): Demodex Species: in
grateful to Professor Clifford Desch, Encyclopedia of Parasitology. Online ISBN:
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary 978-3-642-27769-6. Publisher: Springer Berlin
Biology, University of Connecticut, USA, for Heidelberg, Germany. pp 1-4.
his valuable advice and kind help. [14] Nemeseri L. and Szeky A. (1961). Demodicosis
in cattle. Acta Vet. Acad. Sci. Hung., 11: 209–
REFERENCES 221.
[1] Abu-Samra M. T. and Shuaib Y. A. (2014): [15] Nutting W.B. (1976). Hair follicle mites of
Bovine Demodicosis: Prevalence, Clinico- medical and veterinary concern. Cornell Vet.,
pathological and Diagnostic Study. J. Vet. 66: 214–231.
Adv., 4: 381–397.
[16] OIE (2016): Mange. OIE terrestrial manual,
[2] Abu-Samra M. T., Abdel Aziz M. A., and Salih Chapter: 2.7.9. World Organization for Animal
A. K. (1984): A new technique for the isolation Health, Paris, France, pp: 1-12.
of Demodex bovis from preserved infected
material. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasititol., 78: 319– [17] Radostits M., C. Gay, K. Hinchcliff and P.
321. Constable (2007): Diseases associated with
arthropod parasites, Chapter: 28. In: Veterinary
[3] Baima B. and Sticherling M. (2002): Medicine, A textbook of the diseases of cattle,
Demodicidosis revisited. Acta Dermato- horses, sheep, pigs and goats. (10th edition).
Venereologica., 82: 3–6. UK, Saunders Elsevier, pp: 1608.
ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 17
Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes:
Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan

[18] Rather P. A. and Hassan I. (2014): Human [20] Soulsby E.J. (Ed.) (1982). Helminths,
Demodex Mite: The Versatile Mite of Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated
Dermatological Importance. Indian J. Animals. 7 th Edn., London: Bailliere Tindall.
Dermatol., 59(1), 60–66. doi: 10.4103/0019- P. 476 – 479.
5154.123498
[21] Spickett S.G. (1961). Studies on Demodex
[19] Rufli T. and Mumcuoglu Y. (1981). The hair folliculorum life history. Parasitol., 51: 181–
follicle mite Demodex folliculorum and 192.
Demodex brevis: Biology and medical
importance – A review. Dermatologica., 162:
1–11.

Citation: Mukhtar Taha Abu-Samra, Yassir Adam Shuaib, Ultrastructure, Life-Cycle, Survival and Motility of
Demodex bovis (Acarina: Trombidiformes: Demodicidae) Isolated from Cattle in the Sudan. ARC Journal of
Animal and Veterinary Sciences. 2017; 3(4):11-18. doi: dx.doi.org/ 10.20431/2455-2518.0304002.
Copyright: © 2017 Authors. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original author and source are credited.

ARC Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Page | 18