Studies on the interrelation between rodent and their ectoparasitic acarines in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

The ectoparasitic acarines of commensal and wild rodents collected from various areas in Riyadh Region were four species of mites [Laelaps nutalli, Ornythonyssus bacoti, Cheyletus eruditus and Articholaelaps glasgowi] and two species of ticks. [Immature stages] Rhipicephalus spp. and Hyalomma spp. In urban areas the highest infestation rate by mites was 49.9% on Rattus rattus followed by 18.5% on rattus norvegicus. The highest rat-mite index was 2,3 on R. rattus followed by 1.3 on R. norvegicus and 0.1 on Mus musculus .In semiarid areas, the highest rat-mite index was 2.1 on Gerbillus spp followed by 1.7 on Meriones spp., 1.6 on Jaculus jaculus and 0.9 on Acomys dimidiatus.The highest infestation rate by mites was on Meriones spp. Followed by Gerbillug spp. And then A. dimidiatus

Studies on the ectoparasites [fleas and lice] on rodents in Riyadh and its surroundings, Saudi Arabia

A survey was conducted on rodents from the Riyadh City and surroundings. Two species of fleas, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ctenocephalides felis felis together with Polyplax spinulosa were collected. The highest infestation rate by both fleas occurred on Rattus rattus followed by Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus. Females of R. rattus and R. norvegicus were more infested by fleas than males. On the other hand, Meriones spp., Gerbillus spp., Jaculus jaculus and Acomys dimidiatus were infested with X. cheopis and C.f. felis. The highest infestation rate by fleas occurred on Gerbillus spp., followed by Meniones spp