Endoparasitic mite infections of anuran amphibians from Bolivian montane rain forests, with descriptions of two new Hannemania species (Acari : Parasitengona : Trombiculidae : Leeuwenhoekiinae)

Endoparasitic chiggers were collected from juvenile Bitfo quechua (Bufonidae) and adult Eleutherodactylus platydactyltis (Leptodactylidae) sampled in perhumid montane forests in Bolivia. Complete taxonomic descriptions are given for Hannemania yungicola n. sp., which parasitizes both amphibian hosts in higher montane rain forests, and for H. chaparensis n. sp., which seems to be restricted to lower montane rain forests. In histological sections, the mites are completely embedded in capsules produced by the host. The parasites' mouthparts obviously are adapted to rupturing host cells, the contents of which are ingested. The life style of Hannemania species, its evolution, and the parasites' potential influence on their hosts are discussed. (c) 2006 Gesellschaft fur Biologische Systematik. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.