Parasites in social subterranean Zambian mole‐rats (Cryptomys spp., Bathyergidae, Rodentia)

Abstract

Three out of 18 examined common mole-rats (C'~1ptoniys sp., karyotype 2n = 58) from Zambia were infested with cestodes (Inc.rniic.cip.s~~~fi.1. t t i~i r l u~~~~c . c~i i e t l s i s and an undetermined specics) and a nematode (Protospiruru ,murico/n). Four out of 14 examincd Zambian giant mole-rats (Cryy~o/nys ineclzoici) hostcd cestodes (Raillictincr ( R . ) sp. and an undcterniined species) and nematodes (ProioqJiruru inuricoki, Cupilluriu sp.). Heliniiiths and circumstances of findings tire briefly described. N o ectoparasites were found. The influences of subtcrranean and social way of life and feeding habits upon occurrence of parasites i n mole-rats are discussed. Burrow conditions and social behaviour seem not to favour inkslation by parasites. lntroductionThe family Bathyergidae includes five genera of subterranean rodents, all endemic to the subSaharan African region. Among them the genus C r J y r o q s (common or Gray's mole-rat) is exceptional in several aspects. Unlike other bathyergids, the genus Crlptonzjis is widely distributed (from Ghana to the Cape Province in South Africa) and eurybiomic. Honeycutt ct ul.(1 991), in their revision of taxonomy of bathyergids, have recognized seven species of Crjptonij3.v.

Ectoparasite Burdens of the Damaraland Mole-Rat (Fukomys damarensis) from Southern Africa

“…This is rather low compared to other African rodents (de Graaff, 1981;Fagir et al, 2014) and may be the result of the subterranean life-style of the study species that could limit exposure to parasites (Viljoen et al, 2011;Archer et al, 2014). However, the ectoparasite species richness greatly exceeds that observed for any member of the genus Fukomys in previous studies (De Graaff, 1972;Scharff et al, 1997Scharff et al, , 2001. In light of the low overall ectoparasite prevalence and high aggregation levels found in the current study the number of animals sampled in earlier studies may have been too small to recover ectoparasites.…”

“…It is well known for the variance in the degree of sociality observed in this family while it remains comparatively poorly studied with respect to its parasite fauna (Scharff et al, 1997;Viljoen et al, 2011;Archer et al, 2014). In fact, for Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), 1 of only 2 eusocial bathyergids, the imbalance between studies of their reproductive biology and parasite fauna is particularly pronounced (Bennett and Faulkes, 2000).…”

“…In fact, for Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), 1 of only 2 eusocial bathyergids, the imbalance between studies of their reproductive biology and parasite fauna is particularly pronounced (Bennett and Faulkes, 2000). To date there is only a single study of their parasites available that suggests that this species is devoid of any ectoparasites (De Graaff, 1972 (Scharff et al, 1997) and unidentified mites were reported for a single individual of the giant mole-rat (Fukomys mechowii) in a study of their natural history (Scharff et al, 2001) while a mite species of the genus Androlaelaps has been described from F. mechowii (Till, 1963). The Zumpt collection contains additional specimens of Androlaelaps capensis collected from Fukomys darlingi at unspecified locations in Zimbabwe.…”

Ectoparasite Burdens of the Common Mole-Rat (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) From the Cape Provinces of South Africa

“…Although well studied with regard to their social system and reproductive physiology, studies investigating their parasite fauna remain scarce, and only a limited number of hosts have been sampled (Scharff et al, 1997;Tenora et al, 2003;Viljoen et al, 2011). This is particularly true for their ectoparasite fauna, and several parasitological studies of bathyergid species state explicitly that they did not find any ectoparasites (De Graaff, 1972;Scharff et al, 1997). In contrast, older records indicate a diverse array of ectoparasites, including mites, fleas, lice, and 1 tick species that have been collected from members of this family (reviewed in De Graaff, 1981).…”

The Structure of Mast Cell Secretory Granules in the Blind Mole Rat (Spalax ehrenbergi)

“…The subterranean way of life of the mole rat led to the evolutionary development of special adaptations in its anatomy, morphology, physiology, and behavioral patterns (MacDonald, 1985;Nevo, 1979). Because of its unique lifestyle the mole rat is less exposed to parasites than most other rodents (Scharff et al, 1997;Wertheim and Nevo, 1971;Mrciak et al, 1966). Because mast cells play an important role in host response to parasite invasion (Woodbury et al, 1984;Nutman, 1993) and since mole rats are less exposed to parasites, we hypothesized that the mast cell granules of the blind mole rat may be unique in comparison to those of other rodents.…”