Seasonal variation in prevalence, parasite load and mean intensity of ectoparasites in Pipistrellus kuhlii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Iran

Abstract

We studied quantitatively the seasonal variation in prevalence, parasite load, and mean intensity of two species of ectoparasites in free ranging populations of Kuhl's bat, Pipistrellus kuhlii in western Iran. In total, 348 live bats (230 males and 118 females) were collected using mist net during May to November 2013. All bats identified as to sex and the number of ectoparasite species in each bat was counted. On 348 P. kuhlii captured, 5355 ectoparasites were observed. Two species of ectoparasites belonging to Argas vespertilionis (Argasidae) and Steatonyssus sp. (Macronyssidae) were identified. In late May and at the beginning of June, the peaks of ectoparasite load in bats were recorded and then dropped during June to November. The number of ectoparasites in pregnant female bats in May-June during pregnancy was significantly higher than non-pregnant females (p ≤ 0.05). A significant correlation was found between ectoparasite load and the ratio of body mass to the length of forearm (W/FA), as an index of body condition, indicating that parasite load has apparent impact on bat’s health. Our findings indicated that parasite loads correlate with season, sex and reproductive condition of the host.

Diversity of bat ectoparasites from the caves of selected Key Biodiversity Areas in Central Visayas, Philippines

“…In a report by Tanalgo and Hughes (2019), more bat ectoparasite studies in the Philippines focused on new findings and bat hosts' distribution records (Alvarez et al 2015(Alvarez et al , 2016). In addition, several studies revealed parasite load correlates to the condition of bat health (Sharifi et al 2019), the decline of the population of specific species of bent-winged bats (Holz et al 2018), and the increased grooming behavior of bats (Obame-Nkoghe et al 2016). Much evidence also revealed differences in the relationship between bat sex and parasite load.…”

“…That could expose more females and juveniles to ectoparasites and ultimately affect females' reproductive success (Vidal et al 2021). In contrast, aggressive mating behavior in males may increase the chances of exposure and infection to parasites (Sharifi et al 2019). Furthermore, bat hosts' distribution range and size indicate parasite species wherein new species are documented to hosts distributed in larger areas (Maganga et al 2014).…”