Ecology of Bats, Their Ectoparasites, and Associated Pathogens on Saint Kitts Island
We report on an 11-mo field study on Saint Kitts Island of bat populations, their associated ectoparasites, and pathogens. We report on five ectoparasite species, including four Streblidae (Diptera) and a Spinturnicidae (Acari). Several genotypes of unnamed Bartonella were isolated from bats and ectoparasites. Microfilaria of an undetermined Litomosoides spp. were detected in blood from Artibeus jamaicensis Leach (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) (and associated ectoparasites: Trichobius intermedius Peterson and Hurka (Diptera: Streblidae) and Periglischrus iheringi Oudemans (Acari: Spinturnicidae)). In addition, an Ehrlichia sp. and Rickettsia africae were detected in the blood of several bat species. Our study is one of the first surveys of ectoparasite-borne pathogens in wild mammals from St. Kitts.
Source: Journal of Medical Entomology - Category: Biology Authors: Reeves, W. K., Beck, J., Orlova, M. V., Daly, J. L., Pippin, K., Revan, F., Loftis, A. D. Tags: Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission Source Type: research