Intraspecific sensilla dimorphism in Ascoschoengastia indica (Prostigmata, Trombiculidae)
Issued Date
2024-07-30
Resource Type
ISSN
24058440
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85198138956
Journal Title
Heliyon
Volume
10
Issue
14
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Heliyon Vol.10 No.14 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Wulandhari S.A., Charoennitiwat V., Samung Y., Sonthayanon P., Kumlert R., Morand S., Chaisiri K., Chaiphongpachara T., Dujardin J.P., Sumruayphol S. Intraspecific sensilla dimorphism in Ascoschoengastia indica (Prostigmata, Trombiculidae). Heliyon Vol.10 No.14 (2024). doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33908 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/99692
Title
Intraspecific sensilla dimorphism in Ascoschoengastia indica (Prostigmata, Trombiculidae)
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Ascoschoengastia indica is one of the dominant chigger species in Southeast Asia and a potential carrier of scrub typhus, due in part to its cosmopolitan nature. This study explored the possible biological significance of the observed dimorphism in the shape of its scutum sensilla. Sensilla are specialized structures that are generally adapted to perform specific functions related to sensory capabilities, so their shape and sizes are expected to vary between taxa. We describe morphological variation of the sensilla of A. indica in Thailand. The sensilla had either a round or an ovoid, club-shaped form, which was not dependent on the particularly locality or host. Ignoring the precise function of the sensilla and their morphological variation, our study attempted to answer the following single question: Do the distinct forms of the sensilla indicate possible heterogeneity of the A. indica species? The two forms, named S1 and S2, were compared by genetic and morphometric techniques. The genetic analysis was based on the COI sequences, while the morphometric comparison used the scutum, an organ shown to be of taxonomic value for chigger mites. Neither morphometric nor genetic data revealed any evidence of a speciation process underlying the morphological variation in sensillum types.