Bionomics of the Squirrel Flea, Orchopeas Howardi (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), in Laboratory and Field Colonies of the Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys Volans, Using Radiolabeling Techniques1

Sampling fleas: the reliability of host infestation data

“…Alternative methods for the estimation of flea population size have only been applied rarely. For example, the markrecapture technique of Lauer & Sonenshine (1978) requires radiolabelling, which is difficult in many cases. In addition, radiolabelling has negative effects on flea feeding and mobility (Kharlamov, 1965).…”

“…As a large proportion of a flea population occurs off the host body, the reliability of on‐host measurements to estimate flea population size has been questioned repeatedly (Muirhead‐Thomson, 1968; Lauer & Sonenshine, 1978; Lehmann, 1994). Furthermore, the idea that on‐host estimates only are not reliable enough, has led to claims that these estimates cannot be used for either between‐species or within‐species (e.g.…”

Flying Squirrel–associated Typhus, United States

“…At least one species of flea ectoparasite ( Orchopeas howardii ) of flying squirrels is known to opportunistically bite humans and could serve as a bridge vector for transmission from flying squirrel to human. Rickettsiae transmission among captive flying squirrels, however, has only been demonstrated with a louse vector ( 9 , 10 ). While the exact mechanism of pathogen transmission has not yet been determined, the lack of detectable exposure to R. prowazekii in the household members or co-workers of documented cases ( 3 , 5 ) supports the idea that the risk for R. prowazekii infection after casual or indirect exposure to flying squirrels is low.…”

Sucking louse (Hoplopleura erratica: Insecta, Anoplura) exchange between individuals of a wild population of Eastern chipmunks, Tamias striatus, in central Tennessee, U.S.A.

“…Studies into ectoparasite exchange between individual mammals to date have largely concerned fleas (e.g. Quan, Hartwell et al, 1957;Hartwell, Quan et al, 1958;Shura-Bura & Kharlamov, 1961;Mead-Briggs, 1964;Rapoport, Morozov et al, 1976;Buckle, 1978;Lauer & Sonenshine, 1978;Rodl, 1979;Warren-Hicks, Shroder et al, 1979;Nikitina & Nikolaeva, 1980) with little work on other groups. For sucking lice (Anoplura), investigations into maternal host to offspring transmission have been undertaken by Holdenried, Evans et al, (1951), Linsdale & Trevis (1951), Murray (1963) and Kim (1972Kim ( , 1975 little analysis of louse exchange between wild mammals outside of this special situation.…”