Leptotrombidium pallidum and Leptotrombidium scutellare are the major vector mites for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of scrub typhus. Before these organisms can be subjected to whole-genome sequencing, the genome sizes of L. pallidum and L. scutellare were estimated by a method based on quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, k-mer analysis of the genome sequences obtained from Illumina sequencing was conducted to verify the mutual compatibility and reliability of results. The genome sizes estimated by qPCR were 191.3±7 Mb for L. pallidum and 262.1±13 Mb for L. scutellare. The estimated genome sizes based on k-mer analysis were 175.5 Mb for L. pallidum and 286.6 Mb for L. scutellare. The estimates from two independent methods were mutually complementary and in a similar range to those of other Acariform mites. The relatively small genome size would facilitate genome analysis, which could contribute to understanding Arachnida genome evolution and mite vector competence and provide key information for scrub typhus prevention.

• Ju Hyeon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Jong Yul Roh(Division of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health)
• Deok Ho Kwon(Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Young Ho Kim(Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Kyungjae A. Yoon(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Seungil Yoo(Deparment of Research, Codes Division, Insilicogen, Inc.)
• Seung-Jae Noh(Deparment of Research, Codes Division, Insilicogen, Inc.)
• Junhyung Park(Deparment of Research, Codes Division, Insilicogen, Inc.)
• E-hyun Shin(Division of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health)
• Mi-Yeoun Park(Division of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health)
• Si Hyeock Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)