Hesperoctenes fumarius (Hemiptera: Polycteenidae) infesting Molossus rufus (Chiroptera: molossidae) in southeastern Brazil.
We analyzed the prevalence, intensity, and medium density of parasitism of Hesperoctenes fumarius infesting Molossus rufus in natural (hollow trees) and anthropogenic roosts (attics) in southeastern Brazil. The prevalence and intensity of infestations were higher in the hollow trees than in the attic roosts. We also noted a relationship between the amount of space available within the roost and the infestation levels of H. fumarius. One advantage of roosting in larger, often man-made, refuges may be the reduction in ectoparasite infestations.
Graduação, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Franccisco Xavier 524, 20559-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. cesberard@terra.com.br
Carlos E L
CE
Esbérard
Andrea C
AC
Jesus
Adarene G
AG
Motta
Helena G
HG
Bergallo
Donald
D
Gettinger
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000502:physiology*; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000145:classification; D015995:Prevalence; D014197:Trees