Entre las escamas y la piel: revelando el mundo oculto de los ácaros asociados a reptiles

Reptiles are a relatively understudied group of vertebrates compared to birds and mammals, and little is known about their interactions with other organisms. Among reptile scales live mites, small arachnids (usually less than one millimeter in size) that can feed on their blood or tissue fluids. These associations have evolved over millions of years, producing effects that range from skin damage to behavioral alterations, although it should also be noted that they act as a selective pressure for improving the reptilian immune system. However, the small size of mites has hindered their study. Identifying which species are involved and how they interact could have a positive impact on reptile conservation, both in the wild and in captivity, and provides a broader understanding of their ecological role within ecosystems.