%0 Journal Article
%T Ectoparasite Community Structure of Two Bats (Myotis lucifugus and M. septentrionalis) from the Maritimes of Canada
%A Zenon J. Czenze
%A Hugh G. Broders
%J Journal of Parasitology Research
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2011/341535
%X Prevalence of bat ectoparasites on sympatric Myotis lucifugus and M. septentrionalis was quantitatively characterized in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by making systematic collections at swarming sites. Six species of ectoparasite were recorded, including Myodopsylla insignis, Spinturnix americanus, Cimex adjunctus, Macronyssu scrosbyi, Androlaelap scasalis, and an unknown species of the genus Acanthophthirius. Male M. lucifugus and M. septentrionalis had similar prevalence of any ectoparasite (22% and 23%, resp.). Female M. lucifugus and M. septentrionalis had 2-3 times higher prevalence than did conspecific males (68% and 44%, resp.). Prevalence of infection of both genders of young of the year was not different from one another and the highest prevalence of any ectoparasite (M. lucifugus 64%, M. septentrionalis 72%) among all bat groups. Ectoparasite prevalence and intensity varied positively with roost group size and negatively with grooming efficacy and energy budgets, suggesting that these variables may be important in ectoparasite community structure. 1. Introduction It is important to understand the species richness, size, and life history of ectoparasite populations to understand the biology of the host species because of the potential for ectoparasites to impact host fitness [1]. Ectoparasites are present on almost all species of mammals, including bats [2]. Most ectoparasites of bats show strong coevolutionary ties to their hosts because they never or only briefly leave the host [3¨C6]. Many ectoparasites are present on hosts year-round whereas others only during critical stages of the hostĄ¯s life cycle such as gestation or lactation. Ectoparasites may also affect host fitness, and, as expected, a strong negative correlation was found between the number of Spinturnix psi on the bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) and the hostĄ¯s body condition [1]. Prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites on other small mammals and birds can vary according to several life history characteristics of the host [7, 8]. Myotis lucifugus and M. septentrionalis have several life history differences (e.g., roost group size and roost site preference), which may affect the ectoparasite community structure [9]. The little brown bat (M. lucifugus) regularly uses human-made structures as summer maternity roosts while the northern long-eared bat (M. septentrionalis) typically roosts in trees [10¨C14]. Little brown bats show high roost fidelity and often remain in the same roost all summer while northern long-eared bats do not show the same fidelity and often change
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jpr/2011/341535/