Notifications of Feather Mites (Astigmata: Pterolichidae) from the Eurasian Coot Fulica atra (Gruiformes: Rallidae) in Türkiye: Grallobia fulicae (Trouessart, 1885) and Grallolichus proctogamus (Trouessart, 1885)

Feather mites (Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) are external symbionts that inhabit the feathers and skin of avian hosts. Studies on detecting feather mite fauna of avian hosts in Türkiye have increased in recent years, but they are still not at the desired level. The material of this study consists of feather mite specimens collected from the wing and tail feathers of an Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) cadaver that was found dead in a natural area and subjected to ectoparasitic examination. As a result of detailed microscopic examination carried out in the light of the keys and illustrations in the relevant literature, the mite specimens were identified as Grallobia fulicae (Trouessart, 1885) and Grallolichus proctogamus (Trouessart, 1885). Both species are new records for the feather mite fauna of Türkiye.