ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Diversity of Three Species of the Genus Demodex
(Acari, Demodecidae) Parasitizing Dogs in Poland
Joanna N. Izdebska, Sławomira Fryderyk
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Laboratory of Parasitology and General Zoology, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, University of Gdańsk,
Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2011;20(3):565-569
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ABSTRACT
The occurrence of hair follicle mites (Acari, Demodecidae) was investigated in dogs from Gdańsk
Pomerania, Poland. The three species of demodectic mites (Demodex canis, D. cornei, and D. injai) specific
to dogs not only differ morphologically, but are also found on different areas of the hosts’ skin. Parasitic adaptations
involve size and shape of the body, which is elongated and worm-like, providing a specific adaptation
to life in hair follicles, in various glands and their ducts or epidermis. The differentiation in structure, biology,
and microhabitats of these mites may be associated with the occurrence in dogs of forms of demodecosis with
different symptoms and courses.