Occurrence of ectoparasitic arthropods (Siphonaptera, Acarina, and Anoplura) on rodents of Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast of Iran

Methods: The rodents were captured using live trap from April 2013 to December 2014 in Mashhad and vicinity, Khorasan Razavi, Iran. The ectoparasites were collected from body surface of rodents using brushing, combing or forceps and preserved in 70% ethanol. The samples were examined by stereomicroscope and classified into four groups including fleas, mites, ticks, and lice. Dark specimens were made more transparent by soaking in potassium hydroxide or Nesbitt's fluid (where appropriate). The specimens were mounted on glass slides using Hoyer's medium. Ectoparasitic identification was done based on the available keys and confirmed by qualified taxonomists.

Results: A total of 197 rodents were trapped representing 11 species which belong to the family Muridae (7 species), Cricetidae (3 species) and Sciuridae (1 species). The most common captured rodent species was Mus musculus (13.19%) and the least was Apodemus witherbeyi (6.59%). In total 783 ectoparasites related to 3 orders, 8 families, 10 genera and 15 species were collected. The infestation rates by fleas, mites, ticks, and lice on the rodents were 18.78%, 22.84%, 18.78% and 10.15 %, respectively.

Conclusions: Overall infestation rate was 42.13 % (83 out of 197 rodents). The most and least frequency of ectoparasites belonged to mites (50.44%) and lice (14.04%), respectively. The results suggested that the prevalence of ectoparasites could be influenced by rodent host species. Monitoring the rodent population and their ectoparasites is recommended to facilitate arthropod-borne disease control programs.