Primeiro registro de Rhynchopsyllus pulex (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) em Nyctinomops laticaudatus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) no Brasil

Monteiro, Sílvia González; Herrmann, Geder Paulo; Luchese, Franciele Camila; Mottin, Vanessa Daniele

doi:10.1590/s0103-84782005000400037

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Most studies of H. pulex report only on its occurrence (Alarcón 2000, Autino & Claps 2000, Monteiro et al 2005. 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.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 76%

“…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: 76%

mentioning

confidence: 99%