The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) as an ectoparasite of free-tailed bats (Chiroptera: Molossidae).
In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and intensity of Hectopsylla pulex infection in Molossus rufus and Molossus molossus, the parasite's choice of attachment site, and whether this host-parasite system varies with host size. Twenty-four bats were captured by hand from the roof of a house in Southeastern Brazil. M. rufus exhibited a prevalence of 71.4% and the mean intensity averaged 5 ectoparasites per bat. M. molossus exhibited a prevalence of 90%, and the average mean intensity was 2.11 ectoparasites. The attachment sites were: ear, tragus, shoulder blade and tibia, anus, wing, axilla, mouth and dactylopatagium. A positive correlation was observed between the bats' weight and the number of fleas.
Luz
Júlia Lins
JL
Laboratório de Diversidade de Morcegos, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. julialinsluz@yahoo.com.br
Costa
Luciana de Moraes
Lde M
Gomes
Luiz Antonio Costa
LA
Esbérard
Carlos Eduardo Lustosa
CE
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000502:physiology*