Almost all humans play host to mites on their face, and a new study says we are becoming even closer to the stowaways. 

New research has found microscopic mites that live in human pores and mate on our faces at night are becoming increasingly simplified, and may soon become one with humans. 

The study also revealed that the bugs do, in fact, possess an anus. 

The demodex folliculorum mite is passed on during birth and are carried by almost every human, with numbers peaking in adults as the pores grow bigger. 

They measure around 0.3mm long, are found in the hair follicles on the face and nipples, including the eyelashes, and eat the sebum naturally released by cells in the pores. They become active at night and move between follicles looking to mate.

The first ever genome sequencing study of the D. folliculorum mite has found that their isolated existence and resulting inbreeding is causing them to shed unnecessary genes and cells and move towards a transition from external parasites to internal symbionts.

“We found these mites have a different arrangement of body part genes to other similar species due to them adapting to a sheltered life inside pores… these changes to their DNA have resulted in some unusual body features and behaviours,” says Dr Alejandra Perotti, Associate Professor in Invertebrate Biology at the University of Reading.

Due to their isolated existence, with no exposure to external threats, no competition to infest hosts and no encounters with other mites with different genes, genetic reduction has caused them to become extremely simple organisms with tiny legs powered by just 3 single cell muscles. They survive with the minimum repertoire of proteins - the lowest number ever seen in this and related species.

This gene reduction is the reason for their nocturnal behaviour too. The mites lack UV protection and have lost the gene that causes animals to be awakened by daylight. They have also been left unable to produce melatonin - a compound that makes small invertebrates active at night - however, they are able to fuel their all-night mating sessions using the melatonin secreted by human skin at dusk.

Their unique gene arrangement also results in the mites’ unusual mating habits. Their reproductive organs have moved anteriorly, and males have a penis that protrudes upwards from the front of their body meaning they have to position themselves underneath the female when mating, and copulate as they both cling onto the human hair.

Among the new findings, research says one of the mites’ genes has inverted, giving them a particular arrangement of mouth-appendages extra protruding for gathering food. This aids their survival at a young age.

Some researchers had assumed the mites do not have an anus and therefore must accumulate all their faeces through their lifetimes before releasing it when they die, causing skin inflammation. The new study, however, confirmed they do have anuses and so have been unfairly blamed for many skin conditions.

The full study is accessible here.