NEW RECORDS OF SUBCUTANEOUS MITES (ACARI, HYPODERATIDAE) IN BIRDS, WITH EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL HOST COLONIZATION EVENTS

New host, geographic records, or both are established for 14 species o f hypoderatid deutonymphs from 14 species of birds in North America. T en of these records are regarded as examples of a potential host colon ization event where these hypopi have become established in hosts othe r than those with which they are normally associated. Herein, potentia l host colonization events by hypoderatid deutonymphs are regarded as more of an ecologically determined than physiologically specific pheno menon, often specifically related to sharing of nesting sites in the s ame rookeries by different host taxa. Neottialges ibisicola Young & Pe nce is placed as a junior synonym of Neottialges plegadicola Fain. The taxonomic status of Hypodectes propus from columbid versus ardeid hos ts needs further study.