Phylogenetic relationships in rhinonyssid mites (Acari: Rhinonyssidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences

A 390 bp region of the 16S rDNA gene was sequenced from six species of rhinonyssid mites (Tinaminyssus columbae, T. minisetosum, Sternostoma turdi, S. sternahirundo, S. fulicae and Ptilonyssus euroturdi) and two subspecies (Tinaminyssus melloi melloi and Tinaminyssus melloi streptopeliae) to examine the level of sequence variation and the taxonomic levels to show utility in phylogeny estimation. Furthermore, two different geographic locations of T. m. melloi and T. m. streptopeliae were analyzed to detect variation between populations. Molecular data revealed the existence of two distinct groups in the genus Tinaminyssus parasitic on columbiform birds. These results are in agreement with those reported by some authors using morphological characters. Sternostoma turdi parasitizing aerial birds appeared to be phylogenetically separated from other species of this genus isolated from aquatic birds. Moreover, our study addresses the validity of the subspecies status of T. melloi streptopeliae. This region of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene is a useful marker for inferring phylogenetic relationships among closely related rhinonyssid species, but not for more distantly related taxa.