Otodectes

The genus Otodectes (from the Greek words oto meaning "ear" and dectis meaning "biter") contains parasitic mites from the superfamily Psoroptidae (the biting cohort of the Sarcoptiformes order of mites). Members of this genus are contained within the class Arachnida and subclass Acari for mites and ticks. They are typically ectoparasites of dogs and cats but can be found on many other mammals and have a wide range of geographic diversity. Scientific studies looking at the phenotypic and molecular data of ear mites found on multiple host species from a variety of geographic origins have found evidence supporting the claim that there is only one valid species in the Otodectes genus, Otodectes cynotis.