The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) as an ectoparasite of free-tailed bats (Chiroptera: Molossidae)
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
; 104(4): 567-569, July 2009. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-523720
Responsible library:
BR1.1
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.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
Neglected Diseases
Health problem:
Zoonoses
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Chiroptera
/
Ectoparasitic Infestations
/
Siphonaptera
Type of study:
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro/BR