| abstract | The classification of the Dermanyssidae s.lat. is discussed. The free-living, paraphagic, and facultative and obligatory ectoparasitic members of this family in the British fauna are distributed among eight subfamilies (Dermanyssinae, Haemogamasinae, Hirstionyssinae, Laelapinae, Macronyssinae, Melittiphinae, Myonyssinae and Pseudolaelapinae). Keys are given to subfamilies, genera and species. Eighty-one species and subspecies are described and figured. |