2009
DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000400005
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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 roo… Show more

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Cited by 11 publications
(15 citation statements)
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“…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.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 61%
See 1 more Smart Citation
“…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.…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 61%
“…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.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…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.…”
Section: Sites Of Attachmentmentioning
confidence: 99%
“… 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.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 96%