MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE LEECH GENUS PONTOBDELLA (HIRUDINIDA: PISCICOLIDAE) WITH NOTES ON PONTOBDELLA CALIFORNIANA AND PONTOBDELLA MACROTHELA.

Leech specimens of the genus Pontobdella (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) were found off the coast of the state of Oaxaca (Pacific) as well as in Veracruz and Tabasco (Gulf of Mexico), Mexico. Based on the specimens collected in Oaxaca, a redescription of Pontobdella californiana is provided, with emphasis on the differences in the reproductive organs with the original description of the species. In addition, leech cocoons assigned to P. californiana were found attached to items hauled by gillnets and studied using scanning electron microscopy and molecular approaches. Samples of Pontobdella macrothela were found in both Pacific and Atlantic oceans, representing new geographic records. The phylogenetic position of P. californiana is investigated for the first time, and with the addition of Mexican samples of both species, the phylogenetic relationships within Pontobdella are reinvestigated. Parsimony and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis were based on mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI] and 12S rRNA) and nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) DNA sequences. Based on our results, we confirm the monophyly of Pontobdella and the pantropical distribution of P. macrothela with a new record in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

A comparative analysis of alternative splicing patterns in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in response to Moritella viscosa and sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infection.

Moritella viscosa (M. viscosa) and sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) are severe pathogens that primarily infect the skin of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), which cause significant economic losses in the farming industry. However, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms underlying the host's immune defence at the post-transcriptional level remain unclear. Alternative splicing (AS) is an evolutionarily conserved post-transcriptional mechanism that can greatly increase the richness of the transcriptome and proteome. In this study, transcriptomic data derived from skin tissues of Atlantic salmon after M. viscosa and sea lice infections were used to examine the AS profiles and their differential expression patterns. In total, we identified 33,044 AS events (involving 13,718 genes) in the control (CON) group, 35,147 AS events (involving 14,340 genes) in the M. viscosa infection (MV) group, and 30,364 AS events (involving 13,142 genes) in the sea lice infection (LC) group, respectively. Among the five types of AS identified in our study (i.e., SE, A5SS, A3SS, MXE, and RI), SE was the most prevalent type in all three groups (i.e., CON, MV, and LC groups). Decreased percent-spliced-in (PSI) levels were observed in SE events under both MV- and LC-infected conditions, suggesting that MV or LC infection elevated exon-skipping isoforms and promoted the selection of shorter transcripts in numerous DAS genes. In addition, most of the differential AS genes were found to be associated with pathways related to mRNA regulation, epithelial or muscle development, and immune response. These findings provide novel insights into the role of AS in host-pathogen interactions and represent the first comparative analysis of AS in response to bacterial and parasitic infections in fish.

Ornamental fish mortality reveals an old parasite introduction: A case study of Koi carp and fish louse.

Koi carp are globally known for their colors and cultural significance. The introduction of these fish to new environments poses a threat to local biodiversity, in addition to releasing parasites, such as argulid ectoparasites. This study presents a record of Argulus japonicus infecting carp in an artificial lake in Southern Brazil using morphological and molecular methods, with a 100% prevalence (n = 3) and a mean intensity of 21.6 parasites per host, distributed over the body surface. The invasion history of hosts in the study locality indicates that the introduction of A. japonicus occurred decades before its first formal record in Brazil.

Ectoparasites of the Critically Endangered green sawfish Pristis zijsron and sympatric elasmobranchs in Western Australia.

This study reports the metazoan ectoparasite fauna of juvenile Critically Endangered green sawfish, Pristis zijsron, and sympatric elasmobranchs in Western Australia. Five parasite taxa were found on 76 screened P. zijsron: Caligus furcisetifer (Copepoda: Caligidae), Dermopristis pterophila (Monogenea: Microbothriidae), Branchellion plicobranchus and Stibarobdella macrothela (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae), and praniza larvae of an unidentified gnathiid isopod. Only C. furcisetifer and D. pterophila were common, exhibiting discrepant site-specificity, with C. furcisetifer occurring mostly on the head and rostrum, and D. pterophila around the pectoral and pelvic fins. Intensity of infection for C. furcisetifer and D. pterophila increased with host total length and was influenced by host sex, but in opposite directions; intensity of C. furcisetifer was greater on female P. zijsron, whereas intensity of D. pterophila was greater on males. In the Ashburton River, likelihood of infection for C. furcisetifer and D. pterophila on P. zijsron increased with time since substantial freshwater discharge events, suggesting decreased salinity impacts both taxa. In addition to P. zijsron, five other sympatric elasmobranch species were opportunistically screened for ectoparasites in the study area: the giant shovelnose ray, Glaucostegus typus, the eyebrow wedgefish, Rhynchobatus palpebratus, the nervous shark, Carcharhinus cautus, the lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens, and the graceful shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides. Caligus furcisetifer was found on R. palpebratus; no other parasites of P. zijsron were found on other sympatric elasmobranch species. Conversely, Perissopus dentatus (Copepoda: Pandaridae) was found on all three carcharhinids but not on batoid rays (P. zijsron, G. typus or R. palpebratus).

Ivermectin resistance mechanisms in ectoparasites: a scoping review.

Ivermectin mass drug administration has been used for decades to target human and veterinary ectoparasites, and is currently being considered for use against malaria vectors. Although there have been few reports of resistance to date in human ectoparasites, we must anticipate the development of resistance in mosquitoes in the future. Hence, through this review, we mapped the existing evidence on ivermectin resistance mechanisms in human ectoparasites. A search was conducted on the 8th November 2023 through databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using terms related to ivermectin, human and veterinary ectoparasites, and resistance. Abstracts (5893) were screened by JFA and CK. Data on the study organism, the type of resistance, the analysis methods, and, where applicable, the gene loci of interest were extracted from the studies. Details of the methodology and results of each study were summarised narratively and in a table. Eighteen studies were identified describing ivermectin resistance in ectoparasites. Two studies described target site resistance; and 16 studies reported metabolic resistance and/or changes in efflux pump expression. The studies investigated genetic mutations in resistant organisms, detoxification, and efflux pump expression in resistant versus susceptible organisms, and the effect of synergists on mortality or detoxification enzyme/efflux pump transcription. To date, very few studies have been conducted examining the mechanisms of ivermectin resistance in ectoparasites, with only two on Anopheles spp. Of the existing studies, most examined detoxification and efflux pump gene expression, and only two studies in lice investigated target-site resistance. Further research in this field should be encouraged, to allow for close monitoring in ivermectin MDA programmes, and the development of resistance mitigation strategies.

Molecular characterization of Lernathropus kroyeri from intensive aquaculture and pathophysiology of infested sea bass.

The copepod Lernathropus kroyeri constitutes one of the major parasites for the Mediterranean aquaculture, infesting the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax causing thus disruptions of growth performance and occasionally mortalities. Despite the large spread and the high frequency of this parasite in mariculture farms of Eastern Mediterranean, L. kroyeri genetic profile from aquaculture as well as the pathophysiological response of D. labrax have not been studied so far. Keeping this in mind, in the present study we investigated the L. kroyeri infestation on D. labrax from two farms in Greece, examining both healthy and heavy parasitized individuals. Assays included histopathology, phylogenetic reconstruction of the parasite and physiological response of the fish by the means of antioxidant, inflammatory metabolic and stress related gene expression analysis at both mRNA and protein levels. Genetic analysis indicated that L. kroyeri composes a monophyletic group, highly phylogenetically distant from other congeneric groups. Heavy infested D. labrax witnessed a significantly increased immune response that further led to oxidative stress and metabolic alterations. Overall, our results demonstrate the, seasonally independent, high infestation of this parasitic copepods, which continue to affect Mediterranean intensive aquaculture systems.

Two New Genera and Species of the Parasitic Copepod Family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Deep-Sea Fishes Off Suruga Bay, Japan.

PURPOSE: The present paper describes two new genera and species of the parasitic copepod family Chondracanthidae Milne Edwards, 1840 based on specimens collected from two species of deep-sea fishes at a depth of 212 m off Suruga Bay, Japan. Avatar nishidai gen. et sp. nov. is described from the host fish Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Chaunacidae). Kokeshioides surugaensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the host fish Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Setarchidae). METHODS: Fresh specimens of chondracanthids were collected from the buccal cavity of two species of deep-sea fishes (fish hosts were frozen), Chaunax abei Le Danois, 1978 (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) and Setarches longimanus (Alcock, 1894) (Perciformes: Setarchidae), caught at a depth of 212 m in Suruga Bay, Japan (34° 37'48.87″ N, 138° 43'2.958″ E). Both the species are described and illustrated based on ovigerous females. RESULTS: The genus Avatar gen. nov. can readily be distinguished from all other chondracanthid genera by the following combination of features: cephalothorax slightly wider than long with anterior pair of large and posterior pair of small lateral lobes, and two pairs of ventro-lateral processes; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; cylindrical trunk with two pairs of blunt proximal fusiform processes; antennule with small knob terminally; antenna bearing distal endopodal segment; labrum protruding ventrally; two pairs of biramous legs each with 2-segmented rami. Kokeshioides gen. nov. has the following combinations of features that distinguish it from other chondracanthid genera: body flattened, without lateral processes; cephalothorax much wider than long, with paired anterolateral and posterolateral lobes, folded ventrally; the very posteriormost part of the first pedigerous somite contributes to the neck; mandible elongate; legs unique, heavily sclerotized, represented by two pairs of acutely pointed processes. CONCLUSION: With the addition of two new genera presently reported, the family Chondracanthidae currently includes 52 valid genera. Among the described genera Avatar gen. nov. seems to be very primitive, while Kokeshioides gen. nov. is highly advanced. The deduced evolutionary history of chondracanthid genera is also discussed.

Unusual parasitoses in urban dogs: Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis, cases report.

Parasitic diseases caused by uncommonly diagnosed parasites may pose a threat to companion animals' health in urban environments where they are least expected. The pentastomid Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) and the capillarid Pearsonema plica (syn. Capillaria plica) are parasites with an indirect life cycle, infecting both domestic and wild carnivores. The present report describes two cases: the first one of urinary capillariosis and the other of linguatulosis, in two dogs living in the urban environment of Athens, Greece. In the case of capillariosis, the dog never lived out of the city, so it was presumably infected in the urban environment. On the contrary, in the case of linguatulosis, the dog was adopted at a young age from a rural environment but remained asymptomatic for several months while living in the city. Both dogs had mild symptoms, compatible with these infections. Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis are uncommon in owned, pet dogs, living in cities due to epizootiological characteristics, i.e. need for wildlife reservoir for P. plica and consumption of raw infected viscera for L. serrata. Different factors contribute to the fact that such infections may occur in scenarios where they are least expected. Recent studies show a progressive worldwide increase in the number of uncommon parasitoses in pet animals, that in some cases, such as linguatulosis, are of zoonotic relevance. Regular parasitological examinations and preventive antiparasitic schemes are necessary in order to treat and prevent infections in pet animals and safeguard the health of both animals and humans under the concept of One Health.

Morpho-molecular investigation of ectoparasitic infestation of companion animals in Sylhet city, Bangladesh.

Ticks (Ixodida) and Fleas (Siphonaptera) are considered among the most important arthropod of public health concern due to their ability to transmit vector-borne pathogens to humans. By sharing a common environment, vector-borne diseases constituted major setbacks to the development of a pet population in Bangladesh. This study aimed to determine companion animal-associated ticks and fleas based on morpho-molecular approaches. Between December 2021 and May 2022, 74 animals (62 cats and 12 dogs) were examined, of which 17 (27.4%) cats and 9 (75.0%) dogs had ectoparasitic infestations, with 35.1% overall prevalence. Morphometrical examination showed the ectoparasites in these animals were Ctenocephalides spp. (flea) and Riphicephalus spp. (tick). Genetic analysis using the mitochondrial markers i.e. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) revealed the presence of two flea species i.e., Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, and one tick species Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Interviews of animal owners indicate that 35.14% of them had no concern about ectoparasitic infestation or ectoparasites-borne diseases. Our results indicated that fleas and ticks were the most common ectoparasites in companion animals of this area. The zoonotic nature of some ectoparasites can be regarded as a public health alert. The findings will assist epidemiologists and policymakers in offering customized guidance for upcoming monitoring and preventive tactics in this area.

The postmortem diagnosis of an Armillifer infection case in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis).

Armillifer moniliformis belongs to the order Porocephalida and family Porocephalidae, and it can cause zoonotic pentastomiasis. A suspected parasitic infection was incidentally discovered in the abdominal cavity of a cynomolgus macaque that died of persistent diarrhea. 18S rDNA amplification and sequencing revealed a high similarity (99.83%) to the Armillifer moniliformis Guangxi isolate. The isolated parasite was named the Armillifer moniliformis Yunnan isolate (GenBank accession no. HM048870). Our report presents a case of Armillifer moniliformis infection in macaques. The results indicated that early quarantine and diagnosis should be employed for animal health.

Ectoparasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany and their health impact.

BACKGROUND: The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is known for high levels of ectoparasitism that not only represents a health risk for the animals themselves, but also for pet animals and humans as hedgehogs are frequently taken into human care. In the present study, patterns of ectoparasite infestation were assessed in hedgehogs taken into care at northern German animal rehabilitation centres. METHODS: Ectoparasites (ticks, fleas and mites) of 498 hedgehogs were collected over a period of 3 years from July 2018 to May 2021. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics and also via amplification and sequencing of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (COX-2) gene for fleas of the family Ceratophyllidae. Seasonal changes in infestation patterns as well as correlations with animal age, body weight and health status were assessed using generalised linear models. RESULTS: Infestation with ticks, fleas and mites occurred throughout the year. Overall, 86.5% (431/498) of the examined hedgehogs were infested with ticks, 91.4% (455/498) with fleas and 17.7% (88/498) with mites. Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus/Ixodes canisuga were the most common tick species detected, with the additional occurrence of one Ixodes frontalis. Significant seasonal changes were observed for I. ricinus, but not for I. hexagonus/I. canisuga. Additionally, I. ricinus nymph prevalence declined significantly as of 2020, probably as a consequence of the climate change-related drought as of 2018. In hedgehogs with flea infestations, Archaeopsylla erinacei, Ceratophyllus sciurorum, Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Ctenocephalides felis were identified. In all cases of mite infestation, Caparinia tripilis was detected, in addition to specimens of the family Macronyssidae and free-living mites of the family Acaridae. Statistical analyses showed correlations regarding the factors month, year, body weight and age, but no correlation was evident regarding the health status of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: With a detected infestation rate of 98.6%, almost all of the examined hedgehogs were infested with at least one ectoparasite species. The seasonal activity patterns of the different ectoparasite species together with the complex annual cycle of hedgehogs lead to different seasonal patterns in ectoparasite prevalence and infestation intensities. Due to the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens as well as the possible negative impact on the host itself, hedgehogs should be treated against ectoparasites when taken into care facilities.

Distribution of phoretic mites and lice in Pseudolynchia canariensis living on pigeons and the relationship with seasonality, carrier sex, plumage coloration and age of definitive hosts.

Among the parasites, some groups that have a limited capacity for locomotion, such as mites and lice, the transmission is challenging to win. These ectoparasites disperse through direct contact between hosts or, in some cases, through phoresy. However, these processes are not well-documented in detail because they are difficult to observe and quantify. In the present study, the patterns of distribution of skin mites and phoretic lice on hippoboscid louse fly Pseudolynchia canariensis sampled from Columba livia were evaluated. The analyzed pigeons were juveniles and adults, with three distinct plumage colors: blue checker, spread, or wild type, and were caught over 24 months. A total of 1,381 hippoboscid flies were collected on 377 hosts. The plumage color did not influence the infestation patterns of louse flies on juvenile and adult pigeons, nor did it influence the infestation patterns of skin mites and phoretic lice on the hippoboscid flies. However, the environmental temperature was directly related to higher prevalence, mean infestation intensity, and phoretic species richness on P. canariensis during the hottest seasons. Furthermore, a higher abundance of phoretic mite eggs, including embryonated eggs, was observed in females of P. canariensis in all seasons.

Methods to develop and evaluate attitudinal scales to measure farmer perceptions: Using sheep scab as an example.

There is limited information on the attitudes and opinions of British sheep farmers when preventing and managing sheep scab in their flocks. Attitudes are examples of latent traits, which are not directly observable. They must be measured indirectly which can be achieved using measurement scales. Attitudinal measurement scales are used frequently in research, but are seldom evaluated prior to use, particularly in veterinary research. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and assess latent traits which influence the control of sheep scab with the use of exploratory factor analysis, and then further evaluate these factors with the use of item response theory to determine how they perform as scales. An online survey was completed by 726 British sheep farmers during October 2021 (725 useable responses), which included a section with 37 belief statements related to the opinions and attitudes of sheep farmers around the management of sheep scab. These belief statements were developed and adapted from previous research. During the analysis, they were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, which suggested that the scales performed reasonably well. The scales were then evaluated further by item response theory. The graded response models for each attitudinal scale were assessed by graphical evaluation. They demonstrated that the scales were able to distinguish those respondents with low perceptions of control, responsibility, and trust, and those who had high perceptions of luck. This study provides insights into some of the factors influencing the management of sheep scab, and how well these scales perform. Additionally, it further highlights the importance of evaluating attitudinal scales for use in research, and that exploratory factor analysis alone does not provide enough information on how well they perform.

Repeated exposure affects susceptibility and responses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) towards the ectoparasitic salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis).

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is repeatedly exposed to and infected with ectoparasitic salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) both in farms and in nature. However, this is not reflected in laboratory experiments where fish typically are infected only once. To investigate if a previous lice infection affects host response to subsequent infections, fish received 4 different experimental treatments; including 2 groups of fish that had previously been infected either with adult or infective salmon lice larvae (copepodids). Thereafter, fish in all treatment groups were infected with either a double or a single dose of copepodids originating from the same cohort. Fish were sampled when lice had developed into the chalimus, the pre-adult and the adult stage, respectively. Both the specific growth rate and cortisol levels (i.e. a proxy for stress) of the fish differed between treatments. Lice success (i.e. ability to infect and survive on the host) was higher in naïve than in previously infected fish (pre-adult stage). The expression of immune and wound healing transcripts in the skin also differed between treatments, and most noticeable was a higher upregulation early in the infection in the group previously infected with copepodids. However, later in the infection, the least upregulation was observed in this group, suggesting that previous exposure to salmon lice affects the response of Atlantic salmon towards subsequent lice infections.

Host body mass, not sex, affects ectoparasite loads in yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis.

We investigated the presence and potential causes of sex bias in ectoparasite infestations in the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis. We compared the natural tick and flea burdens of male and female mice in a temperate beech forest and assessed whether the observed differences were driven by host sex or body mass. We found that males were more heavily infested by ticks compared to female mice. However, this difference was driven by host body mass, and not sex itself. Host body mass positively correlated with flea loads, but there was no evidence of sex bias in flea abundance. In addition, the abundance of both ticks and fleas infesting yellow-necked mice changed over time, both seasonally (month to month) and annually (year to year). Our results underscore the importance of the sexual size dimorphism and the parasite taxon as the primary factors that influence the occurrence of sex-biased parasitism in small mammals.

Evidence that ectoparasites influence the hematological parameters of the host: a systematic review.

Ectoparasites are important to the one health concept because their parasitism can result in the transmission of pathogens, allergic reactions, the release of toxins, morbidity, and even death of the host. Ectoparasites can affect host physiology, as reflected in immune defenses and body condition as well as hematological and biochemical parameters. Thus, evidence that ectoparasites influence host hematological parameters was systematically reviewed, and the methodological quality of these studies was analyzed. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed, and the studies included were limited to those that evaluated changes in hematological tests in ectoparasite-infested and non-infested animals, and bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments guideline. Thirty-four studies were selected and information about the host, ectoparasite infestation, blood collection, and analysis was collected and compared whenever possible. In this review, the presence of ectoparasites influenced both the red series and the white series of hematological parameters. Among the main parameters analyzed, hematocrit, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and lymphocytes showed reductions, probably due to ectoparasite blood-feeding, while including eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils increased in infested animals due to the host immune response. However, methodologic improvements are needed to reduce the risk of bias, enhance the reproducibility of such studies, and ensure results aligned with the mechanisms that act in the ectoparasite-host relationship.

Ecological factors shaping the ectoparasite community assembly of the Azara's Grass Mouse, Akodon azarae (Rodentia: Cricetidae).

Parasites are integral members of the global biodiversity. They are useful indicators of environmental stress, food web structure and diversity. Ectoparasites have the potential to transmit vector-borne diseases of public health and veterinary importance and to play an important role in the regulation and evolution of host populations. The interlinkages between hosts, parasites and the environment are complex and challenging to study, leading to controversial results. Most previous studies have been focused on one or two parasite groups, while hosts are often co-infected by different taxa. The present study aims to assess the influence of environmental and host traits on the entire ectoparasite community composition of the rodent Akodon azarae. A total of 278 rodents were examined and mites (Mesostigmata), lice (Phthiraptera), ticks (Ixodida) and fleas (Siphonaptera) were determined. A multi-correspondence analysis was performed in order to analyze interactions within the ectoparasite community and the influence of environmental and host variables on this assembly. We found that environmental variables have a stronger influence on the composition of the ectoparasite community of A. azarae than the host variables analyzed. Minimum temperature was the most influential variable among the studied. In addition, we found evidence of agonistic and antagonistic interactions between ticks and mites, lice and fleas. The present study supports the hypothesis that minimum temperature plays a major role in the dynamics that shape the ectoparasite community of A. azarae, probably through both direct and indirect processes. This finding becomes particularly relevant in a climate change scenario.

Ectoparasites associated with the Bushveld gerbil (Gerbilliscus leucogaster) and the role of the host and habitat in shaping ectoparasite diversity and infestations.

Rodents are known hosts for various ectoparasite taxa such as fleas, lice, ticks and mites. South Africa is recognized for its animal diversity, yet little is published about the parasite diversity associated with wild rodent species. By focusing on a wildlife-human/domestic animal interface, the study aims to record ectoparasite diversity and levels of infestations of the Bushveld gerbil, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, and to establish the relationship between ectoparasite infestation parameters and host- and habitat factors. Rodents (n = 127) were trapped in 2 habitat types (natural and agricultural) during 2014­2020. More than 6500 individuals of 32 epifaunistic species represented by 21 genera and belonging to 5 taxonomic groups (fleas, sucking lice, ticks, mesostigmatan mites and trombiculid mites) were collected. Mesostigmatan mites and lice were the most abundant and fleas and mesostigmatan mites the most prevalent groups. Flea and mesostigmatan mite numbers and mesostigmatan mite species richness was significantly higher on reproductively active male than female rodents. Only ticks were significantly associated with habitat type, with significantly higher tick numbers and more tick species on rodents in the natural compared to the agricultural habitat. We conclude that the level of infestation by ectoparasites closely associated with the host (fleas and mites) was affected by host-associated factors, while infestation by ectoparasite that spend most of their life in the external environment (ticks) was affected by habitat type.

Determinants of the composition of ectoparasitic flies of bats (Diptera: Streblidae, Nycteribiidae) in the Amazon and Cerrado landscape scales and ecotonal areas.

The high diversity of bats in the Neotropics is primarily associated with various ectoparasite species on their bodies. Interactions between these animals need to be comprehensively investigated at landscape scales, focusing on understanding the patterns of diversity of species. We sought to evaluate, througt bat captures and ectoparasite sampling, the determinants of the composition of ectoparasitic flies species present in bats in in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes and ecotone areas. We used a generalized dissimilarity model (GDM) to verify what factors explained the composition of ectoparasitic flies of bats using landscape metrics, geographic distance, biome, and host composition. Twenty-four bat species haboured a total of 33 species of ectoparasitic flies. Host composition was the best predictor of fly composition, followed by the environmental variables and by biome. Geographical distance presented negligible effects. Studies on large scales tend to reveal a wide diversity of ectoparasitic flies. Host composition, as the best predictor of fly composition, may be associated with interspecific characteristics among species. We recommend studies focusing on the landscape to understand better the parasitic associations of bats and their distribution across environments.

A survey of British sheep farmers: Practices, opinions and knowledge surrounding the management of sheep scab.

Ovine psoroptic mange (commonly known as sheep scab) is, arguably, one of the most important ectoparasitic diseases of sheep in the UK. Although research has been conducted on the practices and knowledge of British sheep farmers regarding the management of sheep scab, recent data is limited. During October 2021 an online survey was completed by 725 British sheep farmers. Most respondents farmed in England (63.0%, 457/725), followed by Wales (20.6%, 149/725) and Scotland (16.4%, 119/725). Over half (53.0%, 384/725) of the respondents had experienced sheep scab in their flocks before, and 38.3% (147/384) of respondents experienced sheep scab twice or more in the previous ten years. The estimated prevalence of sheep scab from these surveyed farmers was 10.9% (79/725). Of the farmers who had experienced sheep scab before, only 36.2% (139/384) reported using skin scrapes and 12.5% (48/384) reported using blood tests for diagnosis. Over three-quarters of farmers quarantined all new sheep (76.6%; 498/650), but fewer quarantined returning sheep (28.6%; 83/290). Many of the respondents (43.7%, 252/577) did not quarantine new sheep for the suggested minimum 21 days. In addition, only 53.0% (384/725) of respondents answered all three of the knowledge questions regarding sheep scab correctly. The analysis illustrates that there is scope to improve the use of diagnostics, which suggests that misdiagnosis of sheep scab may be high and thus inappropriate treatments may be used, or treatments may not be used at all. It also demonstrated that there is scope for improvement in farmers' knowledge regarding sheep scab, particularly that sheep scab could be detected via a blood test and that the disease could present without visible signs. Our results further support that sheep scab is a large-scale endemic issue, potentially with an increasing prevalence in Great Britain. Future control interventions need to focus on improving knowledge exchange, raising awareness of best practice controls to ensure that better management strategies are employed by farmers, including improved control at livestock markets to reduce the national transmission and thus focus on coordinated control interventions.