Ectoparasites of small mammals in a fragmented area of the southern Amazonia: interaction networks and correlations with seasonality and host sex

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2020
Authors:R. F. B. de Mendonça, Colle, A. C., Freitas, Lda Costa, Martins, T. F., Horta, M. Claudio, de Oliveira, G. Meneses Ba, Pacheco, Rde Campos, Mateus, L. Aparecida, Rossi, R. Vieira
Journal:Experimental and Applied Acarology
Volume:81
Pagination:117-134
Date Published:Apr-16-2020
ISSN:0168-8162, 1572-9702
Keywords:Didelphimorphia, ectoparasites, Parasite-host association, rodentia
Abstract:

The present work aimed to analyze the ectoparasite-host interaction network and possible differences of this interaction related to two seasonal periods and host sex. During November 2016 and July 2017, non-flying small mammals were captured in 17 forest fragments located in the southern portion of the Amazon biome. We captured 96 individuals belonging to 10 host species that were parasitized with a total of 3668 ectoparasites. Overall, we identified 24 ectoparasite taxa belonging to the mite and insect groups Ixodida (ticks), Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes, Trombidiformes (mites), Phthiraptera (lice), and Siphonaptera (fleas). The interaction network between all ectoparasites and hosts showed significant deviation from random, with moderately high specialization index (H2' = 0.80). There was seasonal difference in prevalence for Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) sensu stricto (s.s), Amblyomma coelebs Neumann and larvae of Amblyomma. This difference was also found in the mean intensity of infestation of Amblyomma larvae and the mite Tur aragaoi (Fonseca). Only mean intensity of infestation differed in relation to host sex for the species Marmosa constantiae Thomas. Our results demonstrate that specificity between ectoparasites and small mammals in this region is moderately high and that the pattern of aggregation of some ectoparasite taxa differed between two seasons, as well as between sexes in M. constantiae.

URL:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10493-020-00491-5
DOI:10.1007/s10493-020-00491-5
Taxonomic name: 
Wed, 2021-11-03 17:23 -- Yokb
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith