CARIBBEAN MONK SEAL NASAL MITE

Today's focus is on a "lesser" known extinct creature.  With the extinction of the Caribbean Monk Seal in 1952, another animal also faced its extinction, the Caribbean Monk Seal Nasal Mite.

 As its name suggests this little mite lived in the nasal passage (the nose) of the Caribbean monk seal.  The only specimens of this mite were recovered from a single seal.

 The Caribbean Monk Seal Nasal Mite was so specialized that it could only live in the nose of this particular species of seal. When the Caribbean monk seals started disappearing so did the needed "habitat" for this mite.

 Mites are related to ticks. There are over 48,200 different species of mites including the dust mite which live in carpets of our homes and affects many allergy sufferers.  Many mite species eat decaying matter that creates new soil.  Some species, like their cousins the ticks, feed on blood, and many are specialized to a specific species of animal, like those found on honey bees.

 Additional Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mite
(resource on variety of mites)

http://www.babypantsmusic.com/track/255727/dust-mite?feature_id=9880 (lyrics to a catchy song about dust mites)
A picture of Caribbean Monk Seal Nasal Mite
Image of dust mite in carpet (image from wikipedia.org)

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