02359nas a2200265   4500008004100000245011900041210006900160260000900229300001400238490000700252520158600259653001101845653001301856653001701869653000901886653001801895653001601913653001001929653001401939653001301953100001201966700002001978700002201998856007302020       1999                        eng d00aThe ectoparasites of the European badger, Meles meles, and the behavior of the host-specific flea, Paraceras melis0 aectoparasites of the European badger Meles meles and the behavio  c1999  a245 - 2650 v123 aThe badger-specific flea, Paraceras melis, jumps repeatedly when separated from its host Meles meles; thereafter fleas settled into sheltered positions. After separation from badgers, some 42% of fleas (n = 63) voided their gut contents; this was associated with a significant increase in mean jumping distance. The maximum longevity of fleas away from the host was 89 days, with 50% mortality at around 35 days. Badger lice, Trichodectes melis, survived for up to 3 days postcapture. We conclude that the badger's habit of frequently swapping dens with a mean period of return of 6 days is unlikely to bring about significant mortality of adult fleas but may effectively eradicate lice. Fleas abandoned in "bedding" in a simulated badger sett were mobile, being drawn toward light and moving upward. This response would draw the fleas to the den entrance, which may be a suitable site to intercept returning badgers. The fleas responded to stimuli which might signal the proximity of the host: they jumped toward sources of carbon dioxide and of carbon dioxide in air current directed at the flea. The strongest response was seen when a mixture of stimuli consisting of carbon dioxide, a dark circle of card, and movement were tested; the majority of fleas jumped toward the mixed stimulus. Finally peas separated from the host responded to exhaled air by running and jumping; this is in marked contrast to their response to those stimuli when on the host, when fleas run downward and very rarely jump. These contrasting observations find adaptive explanation in the two contexts.10abadger10aBehavior10aectoparasite10aflea10ahost parasite10aMeles meles10amelis10aParaceras10aparasite1 aCox, R.1 aStewart, P., D.1 aMacdonald, D., W.  uhttp://www.phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/37895.pdf