Finding a suitable coat: The ecology of the invasive deer ked (Lipoptena cervi (Linnaeus, 1758); Diptera: Hippoboscidae), an ectoparasite of large mammals in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Some parasitic diseases of wild animals are transmissible to humans and cause health problems. A widespread ectoparasite of vertebrates is the deer ked, Lipoptena cervi ((L.); Diptera: Hippoboscidae). We studied the interaction of this parasite with habitat‐related, host‐related, and temporal factors in the Czech Republic. We analysed observations of its abundance in hunted wild animals in the context of their environment. Our results confirmed that cervids are a preferred host species. Most of the other relationships between ked abundance and the studied factors were probably due to the olfactory preferences of keds. Males and older individuals of the game host species were more attractive to the parasites for this reason. The higher abundance of keds at the beginning of the hunting season can be explained by their phenology. The deer ked can significantly affect the management of game species. We conclude that its preference for older male cervids is important for the future conditions of game animals. The population densities of deer keds in areas with high parasitization rates could thus be influenced by active game management.