Ectoparasites of commensal rodents in Talkha center, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt

ABSTRACT

The ecto-parasites infesting commensally rodents were collected from the different localities in Talkha Center [Dakahlia Governorate] from April 2006 to March 2007. The seasonal abundance of rodent number and rat index was 52 [0.58] in spring, 27 [0.3] in summer, 39 [0.22] in autumn and 17 [0.05] in winter. From 135 rodent species and rat index was Rattus norvegicus N=33 [0.24], R. r. frugivorous N=39 [0.29], R. r. alexandrinus N=48 [0.36] and Mus musculus N=15 [0.11]. From 388 ecto-parasite infested rodent collected number and ecto index was fleas N= 114 [0.84 flea/rat], Lice N=93 [0.69 lice/rat], Mites N= 165 [1.2 mite/rat] and larva of ticks N=16 [0.12 tick/rat]. No doubt, rodents and their ectoparasites played a serious role in spreading and transmission of zoonotic diseases to human and animal