Scientists from the University of Gdańsk have discovered a new species of skin mite that caused serious disease symptoms on the head of a Senegal bushbaby (Galago senegalensis).
The newly identified species, Demodex galagoensis (Izdebska, Rolbiecki et Skomorucha, 2025), was discovered and described — along with the parasitic symptoms it caused — by scientists from the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology at the University of Gdańsk: Professor Leszek Rolbiecki and Professor Joanna N. Izdebska, in collaboration with veterinarian Dr. Łukasz Skomorucha.
“Our team was contacted by Dr. Łukasz Skomorucha, who encountered a case of disease symptoms caused by a Demodex mite in a privately bred Senegal bushbaby. He requested species identification, and the parasite turned out to be previously unknown to science,” said Dr. hab. Leszek Rolbiecki, Professor at the University of Gdańsk, in an interview with PAP.
The team from the Laboratory of Parasitology and General Zoology has long been conducting parasitological research across various animal groups, ranging from wild species to domestic and farm animals.
“Parasites are common among hosts and often occur without symptoms. However, under certain conditions, they can cause parasitic diseases (parasitic infections) — which may range from mild to severe, or even fatal. Therefore, our work often involves collaboration with veterinarians seeking assistance in parasite diagnostics and species identification,” added Prof. Rolbiecki.
This latest discovery highlights the potential existence of previously unknown parasites that, under favorable conditions, may proliferate and cause disease in their hosts.
“This is particularly true for exotic animals, increasingly kept not only in zoos but also in private collections as pets. Their parasite fauna remains poorly understood,” explained the biologist.
Although Demodex galagoensis was discovered in a primate — a mammal related to humans — the parasite appears to be host-specific to the bushbaby and is unlikely to pose a threat to humans.
“It is likely that the parasite was initially present in the breeding stock as an asymptomatic infection, but under certain conditions, it multiplied excessively, leading to disease symptoms on the skin,” he added.
Prof. Rolbiecki noted that if parasites transfer to a different species, they usually cannot survive or develop properly in the new host’s skin. However, he did not rule out the possibility of allergic reactions, although no such cases have been documented so far.
During observations, disease symptoms were found mainly around the eyes, ears, mouth, and forehead of the bushbaby, presenting as nodular lesions up to 2 cm in size.
“Treatment involved the surgical removal and cleaning of the most severe lesions, followed by antibiotic therapy and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,“ the researcher explained.
Prof. Rolbiecki emphasized that understanding the biology, life cycle, and infection mechanisms of parasites is essential not only for effective treatment but also for prevention, including assessing the risk of parasite transmission to humans or other animals.
“Accurate species identification is key, and it often requires specialists trained in the taxonomy of specific groups,” he said, adding that the current research highlights the importance of coordination between veterinary, zoological, and parasitological studies.
“Such discoveries contribute to our understanding of biodiversity, a key factor in ecosystem functioning and one of the greatest challenges of contemporary science,” he concluded.
The formal species description, along with a detailed account of the parasitism and clinical case, was published in the specialist journal International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife.
Prof. Rolbiecki also noted that the Parasitology and General Zoology Laboratory at the University of Gdańsk remains the only center capable of definitive identification of these mites. “We have discovered and described 30 new mite species for science, including specific parasites of bison, mouflon, polecats, otters, cats, dogs, beavers, moles, various rodents, and bats,” he added.
In September, the University of Gdańsk will host the XXVII Congress of the Polish Parasitological Society, providing an opportunity for parasitologists from various specialties, as well as medical and veterinary professionals, to exchange experiences.
Source:
Nauka w Polsce
https://kzbp.biol.ug.edu.pl/media/115_artykul_2025_Demodex_galagoensis._IJWP.pdf
