In years 1994-1998, 553 Wild Boars (Sus scrofa L.) were examined in the area of north-western part of Poland. Four species of parasitic acarids were found: Demodex phylloides, Sarcoptes scabiei, Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus. The highest infestation was observed in the case of D. phylloides (30%), the next from the top was presented by Ixodes ricinus (17%). S. scabie i and D. reticulatus occured seidom.
In October 2006 an individual of the Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) was examined and one female of Trinoton querquedulae was found on one of the remiges. This species of lice was recorded for the first time in Poland on the studied host. Up till now, T. querquedulae has been noted only on this duck species in Belgium. Considering the extremely scarce information available, this species of lice is most probably rare in the Common Eider.
Two species of demodectic mites were described in the red deer Cervus elaphus, including Demodex kutzeri, which had also been found in other species of the Cervidae family in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and North America. Whereas the other species, D. acutipes, had been previously known from only one finding in the Czech Republic. The present research included skin samples taken in winter 2012 from thirty red deer in northern Poland. Demodex acutipes (prevalence 20%, mean intensity 4.5), D. kutzeri (53.3%, 69.8) and fifteen Demodex sp. specimens (6.7%, 7.5), were found. D. acutipes is a new species for the fauna of Poland.
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.
Within 1994-2000, sections of skin collected from eleven areas on the body of 650 wild boars and 85 pigs living in the northern Poland and in the Great Poland were examined. The D. phylloides infestation in the wild boar was observed to be very heavy (prevalence 32%, mean intensity 74 ind:). In contrast, the domestic pig turned out to be free of the parasite. The wild boar D. phylloides infestations are symptomless. The parasite is relatively rare in the domestic pig, although the high animal density typical of farm stocks should aid in its spreading. Compared to that in the wild boar, the pigs affected show associated skin symptoms. Where demodicosis did occur, most often the entire population was suffering of the condition. Most probably, the wild boar is the original host of D. phylloides. The hair follicle mile in question is very frequent in the wild boar, but produces symptomless infestations. The parasite occurs more seldom in the domestic pig, but - in contrast - the infestations are much more violent.
The occurrence of Demodex kutzeri Bukva, 1987 was examined and compared in red deer coming from different populations – 25 red deer from northern Poland (Masurian Lake District) and 25 from southern Poland (Lower Silesia). The total prevalence of infestation in red deer by D. kutzeri was 52% with the mean intensity of 38 individuals and the intensity range of 1–135. Parameters of infestation for red deer from northern Poland were much higher (68%, 49), while for other red deer – lower (36%, 16). Demodectic mites D. kutzeri are associated with common hair follicles, therefore they can be found in different parts of the body, however most of the specimens were found in the head skin. Regardless of the location and the infestation rate (including density of mites in the skin), infestations were not accompanied by symptoms of demodecosis.