Macronyssid mites in oral mucosa of long-nosed bats: occurrence and associated pathology.

Macronyssid mites (Radfordiella) have been found in the oral mucosa of the long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis), which occurs from Texas southward throughout much of Mexico. This is the first report of mites of the suborder Mesostigmata attached in the oral cavity of a mammal. Osteolysis of hard palate and odontolysis of teeth result from infestations of mites adjacent to the upper premolars and molars; destruction of bone, teeth, and Connective tissue often leads to exfoliation of teeth in life. Oral mites have not been found in Leptonycteris sanborni, a species in part sympatric with Leptonycteris nivalis.