''Otodectes'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of parasitic

mite Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods). Mites span two large orders of arachnids, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari, but genetic analysis does not show clear e ...

in the superfamily

Psoroptidae Psoroptidae is a family of parasitic mites, which are long and live on the surface of the skin, rather than burrowing into it. These mites affect various species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, cattle, sheep, and horses, causing skin inflammatio ...

(the biting cohort of the

Sarcoptiformes The Sarcoptiformes are an order of Acari comprising over 15,000 described species in around 230 families. Previously it was divided into two suborders, Oribatida and Astigmatina, but Oribatida has been promoted to an order, and Astigmatina is ...

order of mites). There is a single species of mite in this genus, ''Otodectes cynotis''. This mite is within the class

Arachnid Arachnida () is a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals (arthropods), in the subphylum Chelicerata. Arachnida includes, among others, spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, camel spiders, whip spiders and vinegar ...

a and subclass

Acari Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods). Mites span two large orders of arachnids, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari, but genetic analysis does not show clear evid ...

for mites and ticks. ''Otodectes'' are external parasites (ectoparasites) of dogs, cats and ferrets, but can be found on many other mammals. Otodectes is found worldwide. The mite is in size, approximately the size of a grain of salt, and can be seen with the naked eye. It lives in the external ear canal of its host, and causes intense irritation leading to

otitis externa Otitis externa, also called swimmer's ear, is inflammation of the ear canal. It often presents with ear pain, swelling of the ear canal, and occasionally decreased hearing. Typically there is pain with movement of the outer ear. A high fever is ...

. The lifecycle of ''O. cynotis'' takes approximately three weeks. Otodectes cynotis is typically spread by direct contact with infected species and does not have evidence of living in the environment for transmission.

Etymology

New Latin ''Otodectes'' is from Greek prefix "ωτο- (''ōto-'')" meaning "ear" and the Greek word "δήκτης (''dēktēs'')" meaning "beggar."

References

Sarcoptiformes Monotypic arthropod genera {{Sarcoptiformes-stub