The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) as an ectoparasite of free-tailed bats (Chiroptera: Molossidae)

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the prevalence and intensity of Hectopsylla pulex infection inEsbérard (2001) fleas from 29 bats and determined a prevalence of 8.14% with fleas attached preferably to the bats' heads. Parasite intensity sorted by host gender was 1.57 in males and 2.87 in females, with a maximum number of six fleas on males and nine on females. Despite the existence of 176 other chiropterans belonging to four other species (including Molossus rufus E. Geoffroy, 1805) found in the same roost, the presence of this parasite was only observed in M. molossus.Hosts that are vulnerable to parasitism are likely to be in a poor nutritional state. Alternatively, parasites may favour the exploitation of high-quality hosts, which would provide better single meals. Christe et al. (2003) demonstrated that parasite density was significantly higher on individual hosts in good nutritional condition when compared with poorly fed hosts.Thus, the objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and intensity of H. pulex in M. rufus and M. molossus, to determine the parasite's choice of attachment site and to determine whether this hostparasite system varies with bat condition. MATERIALS AND METHODSSince 2007, efforts have been made to characterise the biota of Praia das Neves (Southeastern Brazil) to support the Management Plan of "Lagartixa da Praia" (Liolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938), and a campaign was carried out to analyse the local bat fauna. Located on the shore of the Itabapoana river, at the boundary of the states of Espírito Santo and RJ, Praia das Neves, Presidente Kenedy municipality (21°05'56"S 41°02'48"W) still exhibits remnants of restinga (costal shrub land) and other typical vegetation of the Atlantic Forest ecoregion.A mixed colony of M. molossus and M. rufus was found in a ceiling cavity of approximately 6 m 2 in one of the houses in Praia das Neves. Bats of both species were roosting between the cistern and the wall, in a space that varies from 2-10 cm. Both bat species had constant contact. Hectopsylla pulex as a parasite of bats • Júlia Lins Luz et al. 568From an estimated total of 30 individuals on 10 May 2008, 24 bats were captured by hand. Ectoparasites were removed with forceps and fixed in 92.4% alcohol. Bats were measured, weighed, marked with plastic bead neckplastic bead necklaces with colored cylinders, and released at the same place. Bats were analysed to determine parasite prevalence, intensity (Margolis et al. 1982) and flea attachment site. Attachment sites were divided into nine categories: ear, tragus, shoulder blade, tibia, anus, wing, axilla, mouth and dactylopatagium. In order to calculate the mean intensity, non-infested individuals were not considered.A Pearson correlation was used to test whether the variation of the body size and the number of ectoparasites were correlated, considering both bat species. For this analysis, we considered all individuals, including the non-infested ones. Statistical tests were performed using Systat 8.0 software. RESULTS...

The chiggerflea Hectopsylla pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae): infestation on Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in the Central Andes of Colombia

“…The comparison of our results with studies conducted in Brazil (Esbérard 2001, Luz et al 2009 shows certain similarities, such as the preference of fleas to adhere to areas of the face and 1 2 ears of bats, and a low prevalence of infestation (Esbérard 2001). However, the small size of the evaluated colony, and the low capture effort, prevent us from making more conclusive observations.…”

“…Although tentative, this identification is supported by the fact that H. pulex is the only hectopsyllid representative of the genus that occurs on bats. Males of this species of flea have never been found attached to a host and males have been collected only from bat guano of molossid bats (Méndez 1977, Esbérard 2001, Acosta and Morrone 2003, Luz et al 2009, Hastriter et al 2014.…”

Neosomes of tungid fleas on wild and domestic animals

“…The semipenetrating flea H. pulex prefers bats’ heads, especially body regions with sparse hairs, such as the ears (Esbérard 2001), although these fleas are also found on the tragus, shoulder blade and tibia, anus, wings, axilla, mouth, and dactylopatagium (Luz et al 2009). On pangolins, the pulicid N. euloidea is usually attached to the soft skin of the ventral region.…”

New distribution and host records for Hectopsylla pulex Haller (Siphonaptera, Tungidae) with notes on biology and morphology

“… Hectopsylla pulex (Haller) is the only hectopsyllid that occurs on bats. Subsequent to Hastriter and Méndez (2000) , two additional records of Hectopsylla pulex were reported from molossid bats in Brazil ( Esbérard 2001 , Luz et al 2009 ). Three female specimens of Hectopsylla pulex are herein reported and represent new host and distributional records.…”