Infestation of Rhynchopsyllus pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) on Molossus molossus (Chiroptera) in Southestern Brazil

Esbérard, Carlos Eduardo Lustosa

doi:10.1590/s0074-02762001000800024

Cited by 14 publications

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“…Only Esbérard (2001) has examined the prevalence and intensity in this host-parasite system, finding values much lower than those reported in the present study. The small number of individuals captured in Praia das Neves prevents further analysis; however, it is important to emphasise the high rate of prevalence and intensity found in this colony.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 91%

“…Linardi and Guimarães (2000) reported the occurrence of this insect in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Twelve species of bats have already been reported to be infested by H. pulex (Tipton & Machado-Allison 1972, Autino & Claps 2000, Linardi & Guimarães 2000, Esbérard 2001, Monteiro et al 2005. Among bat species, there is a preference for Molossidae, since the parasite was only observed in specimens of Molossus molossus among a total of 66 individuals representing three families and seven species of different genera captured in artificial roosts in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais (MG), Southeastern Brazil (Pallas 1766) (Netto 2001apud Graciolli et al 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%

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

Luz

Costa

Gomes

et al. 2009

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

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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...

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 91%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Luz

Costa

Gomes

et al. 2009

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

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“…Phyllostomus hastatus seems to be a species that is well adapted to human environments, where it can use several structures as roosts (Tuttle, 1976;Peracchi et al, 1984;Patterson, 1992;Esbérard, 2001;Santos et al, 2003). The roofs used as roosts in Rio de Janeiro state varied in size (from 40 to 150 m 2 ) and the area had no relation to the maximum number of bats per colony (N = 7, r = 0.324, p = 0.479, F = 0.586).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Phyllostomus hastatus is considered a big sized species (>100 g), being the second heaviest species in Neotropical Region and has an omnivorous diet (McNab and Morrison, 1963;Gardner, 1977;Simmons and Voss, 1998;LaVal and Rodríguez-Herrera, 2002;Santos et al, 2003;Oprea et al, 2006). Individuals of this species use as diurnal roosts caves, hollow trees, palm leaves and human buildings (Peracchi et al, 1984;Patterson, 1992;Pinto-da-Rocha, 1995;Ascorra et al, 1996;Trajano and Gimenez, 1998;Bredt et al, 1999;Esbérard, 2001;Esbérard et al, 2005) and may be found sharing huge roosts with over 15 different bat species (e.g. Tuttle, 1970;Ochoa, 1985;Bredt et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Colony size, sex ratio and cohabitation in roosts of Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

et al. 2010

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Phyllostomus hastatus bat is species broadly distributed over the Neotropical region, which uses as diurnal roosts caves, hollow trees, palm leaves and human buildings. Thirteen diurnal roosts of P. hastatus were analysed from 1990 to 2009 in several localities of Rio de Janeiro State, regarding environment (rural, urban or protected area), type of roost (hollow tree, basement or roof), sex ratio and cohabitation. A nocturnal roost was also analysed. Sex ratio of P. hastatus varied considerably among roosts what may be explained by the fact this species can roost alone, in couples, in harems or in groups of bachelor males. Phyllostomus hastatus was observed in cohabitation with three other species: Molossus rufus, Molossus molossus and Myotis nigricans. Due to the frequency of cohabitation observed between P. hastatus and species of the genus Molossus, one or more advantages for the members of this association may be expected. The simultaneous usage of a feeding roost by a group of bachelor males is unknown information in the literature, and may suggest that this kind of group may interact with each other even when away from their diurnal roosts.Keywords: diurnal roost, nocturnal roosts, Southeastern Brazil.Tamanho da colônia, proporção sexual e coabitação em refúgios de Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) ResumoPhyllostomus hastatus é uma espécie de morcego amplamente distribuída na região Neotropical, que utiliza como abrigo diurno cavernas, ocos de árvores, folhas de palmeiras e construções humanas. Treze abrigos diurnos de P. hastatus foram analisados entre 1990 e 2009, em diferentes localidades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, quanto ao ambiente (rural, urbano ou unidade de conservação), tipo de refúgio (oco de árvore, porão ou telhado), proporção sexual e coabitação. Um abrigo noturno também foi analisado. A proporção sexual de P. hastatus nos agrupamentos estudados variou consideravelmente entre os abrigos, e isto pode ser explicado pelo fato desta espécie refugiar-se isoladamente, em casais, como haréns e em grupos de machos solteiros. Phyllostomus hastatus foi observado em coabitação com Molossus rufus, M. molossus e Myotis nigricans. Dada a frequência de observação da coabitação entre P. hastatus e espécies do gênero Molossus, espera-se uma ou mais vantagens para os integrantes desta associação. O uso de abrigo noturno por um grupo de machos solteiros é fato ainda inédito e pode sugerir que machos solteiros possam estar interagindo mesmo fora de seus abrigos diurnos.Palavras-chave: abrigo diurno, abrigo noturno, Sudeste do Brasil.

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Assessing host specificity of obligate ectoparasites in the absence of dispersal barriers

et al. 2009

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Host specificity is a characteristic property of parasite-host associations and often is high among those involving obligate or permanent parasites. While many parasites are highly host-specific under natural conditions, specificity may break down in the absence of dispersal barriers. We tested the host specificity of obligate and permanent blood-feeding bat parasites (Hemiptera: Polyctenidae) under experimental conditions where parasite dispersal barriers had been removed. Under these conditions, parasites not only readily accepted a secondary host species but also remained there when a primary host was immediately available. Experiments with bat bugs and observations of streblid bat flies suggest that specificity may at least temporarily break down when dispersal barriers are removed. To affect long-term coevolutionary patterns, such transfers would necessarily entail the establishment of viable parasite populations on secondary host species.

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Infestation of Rhynchopsyllus pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) on Molossus molossus (Chiroptera) in Southestern Brazil

Abstract: The infestation of Rhynchopsyllus pulex on the bat Molossus molossus was observed using mistnets opened between constructions in the

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

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

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

Colony size, sex ratio and cohabitation in roosts of Phyllostomus hastatus (Pallas) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Assessing host specificity of obligate ectoparasites in the absence of dispersal barriers

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