ABSTRACT
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 percent and the mean intensity averaged 5 ectoparasites per bat. M. molossus exhibited a prevalence of 90 percent, 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.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Chiroptera/parasitology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary , Siphonaptera/physiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/epidemiology , Host-Parasite Interactions , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Tunga penetrans rate of infestation in hooves of confined F1 Holstein-Zebu cows during the dry season was recorded. First parturition cows showed an infestation rate of 90.5 percent in the thorax and 96.9 in the pelvic members, second parturition cows showed an infestation rate of 95.3 percent in the thorax and 100 percent in the pelvic members while third parturition cows showed rate of infestation of 100 percent for both members.
Subject(s)
Cattle , Hoof and Claw/injuries , Epidemiology , Siphonaptera/physiologyABSTRACT
We studied ectoparasites found on Canis lupus familiaris sampled in five areas in Mueang district, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. The prevalence of fleas and ticks as well as their density were determined in 100 dogs that did not receive treatments. A total number of 458 ectoparasites was found corresponding to two species: 25.8% Ctenocephalides canis and 74.2% Rhipicephalus sanguineus. R. sanguineus was the most abundant species, and Ct. canis was the only flea species found. The stages of R. sanguineus were larvae (5.3%), nymphs (29.1%) and adults (39.1% in male and 26.5% in female). The stages of Ct. canis were larvae (41.5%) and adults (58.5%). Both species were commonly found on domestic dogs in all areas of the study. Ct. canis was not present on domestic dogs in one sub-district. The prevalence rates of tick-harboring domestic dogs was 80% (R. sanguineus), and flea-haboring domestic dogs was 26% (Ct. canis).
Subject(s)
Animals , Biodiversity , Data Collection , Dogs/classification , Ectoparasitic Infestations/epidemiology , Female , Siphonaptera/physiology , Male , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , Prevalence , Species Specificity , Thailand/epidemiology , Ticks/physiologyABSTRACT
In Rangoon, Burma, over half the commensal B. bengalensis taken in live traps were found to be infested with Xenopsylla species fleas. X. astia infestations were twice as common as those of the classic plague vector X. cheopis. In terms of absolute numbers X. astia outnumbered X. cheopis by 10 to 1. X. astia was more commonly found as a monospecific infestation, and X. cheopis was more commonly found mixed with X. astia. The flea indicies were high, with a specific index of 2.4 for X. cheopis and 10.2 for X. astia. The flea indicies and flea sex ratios remained stable across the host population and could not be correlated to changes in the head and body length of the host and were not different on male or female hosts. The evidence of this and other surveys is that X. cheopis is not as well adapted for parasitism on free ranging B. bengalensis as is X. astia.