MICROMETRY FOR DIFFERENTIATION OF DEMODEX MITE SPECIES CAUSING CANINE DEMODICOSIS IN INDIA

In the present clinical study, the dog mites of Demodex species were differentiated based on their morphology and morphometrics. Micrometry was done using ocular and stage micrometers. Demodex canis was characterized by its cigar shape with mean body length 217 ± 2.39 µm, Demodex cornei which were short, stumpy measured 138.99 ± 3.21µm and elongated mites Demodex injai 264 ± 6.89µm. The three Demodex species differed significantly in their morphology and parameters viz., opisthosoma length, ratio of prosoma to opisthosoma and ratio of mean total bodylength and opisthosoma length. Hence, these mite species can easily be differentiated by using these morphometric parameters.