Infestation and seasonal activity of Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) on the Maghreb mouse-eared bat, Myotis punicus Felten, 1977, in northeastern Algeria

Abstract

Infestation of Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, 1844 on Myotis punicus Felten, 1977 from two sites (Trios Tunnel and Sidi Trad cave) in northeastern Algeria was studied. An overall infestation of 41.4% for all stages was found among bats collected from both sites. By stage, a total of eight females, 70 nymphs, and 107 larvae were recovered from both populations. The number of females recovered per bat at Sidi Trad ranged from 0‐1, for nymphs 0‐2, and for larvae 0‐2. While no female ticks were collected at Trios Tunnel, the number of nymphs ranged from 0‐2 and for larvae 0‐2. At Trios Tunnel, the number of nymphs was significantly higher during April and June but not for July and September. On the other hand, the number of larvae increased from July to November, while at Sidi Trad cave, female ticks were recovered during April and May and then disappeared until the end of the study period. Significant differences were noted during all the months when compared with all stages. Nymphs infested bats significantly during April and May, declined in June and July, and then became steady until October. Larvae peaked in July, with low frequency in April, and then fluctuated from August to November.

Atlas of ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) in Germany

“…In Scandinavia and the Baltic States, the tick is completely absent (Hornok 2017). Other reports include Algeria, Turkey, Iran, Russia and China, with a wide variety of bat species as hosts for both immature and adult stages (Bendjeddou et al 2016). In Germany, it is relatively seldom found because its main hosts, horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus spp.…”

Bat ectoparasites (Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Siphonaptera, Heteroptera, Mesostigmata, Argasidae, and Ixodidae) from Algeria

“…Remarks: This tick was found on three bat hosts collected from eight sites. Bendjeddou et al () studied the infestation of Ixodes vespertilionis on M. punicus from two sites in northeastern Algeria. Arthur () and Kolonin () gave details on bat species hosting I. vespertilionis worldwide; including Hipposideros caffer, M. schreibersi, Myotis daubentoni, M. myotis, Rh.…”

“…This is the first comprehensive study of the ectoparasites of bats in Algeria. Previous studies indicated ectoparasites that were associated with only a few bat species (Falcoz 1923, Séguy 1933, Aellen 1955, Anciaux de Faveaux 1976, Amr and Qumsiyeh 1993, 2016.…”

“…Other reports included records of Spinturnicidae from Algeria such as Deunff () and Uchikawa et al (), and for Cimicidae (Usinger ). Recently, Bendjeddou et al () reported on ectoparasites of bats collected from northeastern Algeria and Bendjeddou et al () studied the seasonality of infestation of Myotis punicus with Ixodes vespertilionis . The present study documents the ectoparasites associated with 19 bat species collected from Algeria.…”

“…Other reports included records of Spinturnicidae from Algeria such as Deunff (1977) and Uchikawa et al (1994), and for Cimicidae (Usinger 1966). Recently, Bendjeddou et al (2013) reported on ectoparasites of bats collected from northeastern Algeria and Bendjeddou et al (2016) Family Miniopteridae: Miniopterus schreibersii (n=45); Family Molossidae: Tadarida aegyptiaca (n=11), and Tadarida teniotis (n=5); Family Hipposideridae: Asellia tridens (n=26); and Family Rhinopomatidae: Rhinopoma cystops (n=9)) were examined for the presence of ectoparasites from 80 different localities in Algeria during 2011-2015. The studied sites are located in areas with caves, forests, and urban areas.…”