Ectoparasites of neonate Indiana bats, Myotis sodalis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), with description of male of Paraspinturnix globosa (Acari: Spinturnicidae).

A total of 145 ectoparasites was found on five pups of the Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis, from a roost in Warren County, in southwestern Ohio. Most were Macronyssus crosbyi, the common mite of this host, but three males, two nymphs and a nonengorged female of Paraspinturnix globosa were found. Males and nymphs of this species have not previously been reported. In addition, two female adults of Paraspinturnix globosa were found in the anus of one adult female. The male, female deutonymph and nongravid engorged female of P. globosa are described for the first time.

Dietary energetics of the insectivorous Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) during pregnancy and lactation.

Stomach content analysis of 20 pregnant (x body mass=13.4 g) and 18 lactating (x body mass=11.5 g) female Tadarida brasiliensis revealed that the diet, expressed as percent volume, consists largely of lepidopterans, coleopterans, hymenopterans, and dipterans, in decreasing order of importance. We found no significant difference in the diet of pregnant and lactating females when expressed as percent volume. However, when expressed as percent frequency, proportionately more pregnant females fed on lepidopterans, coleopterans, and dipterans than did lactating bats, and proportionately more lactating females fed on hymenopterans. We found no significant differences in the percentages of water, lean dry mass, fat, and energy density in the stomach contents of pregnant and lactating females. Water in stomach contents averaged 62.7% and fat and lean dry mass averaged 22.2% and 15.2%, respectively (expressed as percentage of wet mass); energy density averaged 31.2 kJ g-1 dry mass. This relatively high energy density of stomach contents, as compared to whole insects, can be attributed to the consumption of insects high in fat (especially flying ants) and the abdomens only of moths and beetles (other body parts being discarded). Estimates of nightly food intake increased markedly from mid- to late pregnancy, stabilized or decreased during late pregnancy, and increased again during early to mid-lactation. Average nightly feeding rate doubled from pregnancy to lactation and increased threefold during the first half of lactation. By adjusting our gravimetric estimates of nightly feeding rate upwards by 40% (based on estimates of field metabolic rate), we estimate that the average nightly energy intake of female T. brasiliensis ranges from 57 kJ day-1 in early lactation to 104 kJ day-1 in mid-lactation. These estimates represent nightly feeding rates averaging 39% and 73% of a female's body mass in the period from early to mid-lactation, respectively.

Ectoparasitic acari found on golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia) from Brazil.

Anesthetized golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia rosalia), a highly endangered species, were examined for ectoparasites by brushing the fur and swabbing the ears. Ectoparasites recovered from the fur included four species of immature ticks (Amblyomma spp.), three species of chiggers (Euschoengastia sp., Microtrombicula brennani and Speleocola tamarina), and one species of follicular mite (Rhyncoptes anastosi). Ectoparasites do not seem to be of particular significance to the health of the golden lion tamarin; this may in part result from grooming.

Geomylichus perognathi sp. n. (Acari: Listrophoridae) from Perognathus spp. in the United States.

A new species of listrophorid mite, Geomylichus perognathi, is described from pocket mice, Perognathus parvus and P. fasciatus, from Oregon, USA. It is closest to Geomylichus brevispinosus and G. inaequalis, but is distinguished from those and all others in the genus by the following: (1) shape of the postcapular shield which is completely striated; (2) length of the postcapular shield; (3) striated membranes of Coxae II; (4) the different thickness of sc e; and (5) the length of l 5 in the male.

Quasilistrophorus microticolus gen. n. et sp. n. (Acari: Listrophoridae) from North American microtine rodents.

The authors describe a new genus and a new species Quasilistrophorus microticolus (Acari: Listrophoridae) from Arborimus from Oregon and Synaptomys from Indiana.

Dermacarus jonesi sp. n. (acari: Labidophorinae: Glycyphagidae) from Peromyscus maniculatus from western North America.

A new species of labidophorine hypopus, Dermacarus jonesi, is described from Peromyscus maniculatus from Washington, USA, and British Columbia, Canada. A single individual was also found on Sorex sp. from California.