Juliana Sanchez

Fleas Associated with Mammals from Northwestern Argentina, with New Distributional Reports

Abstract Northwestern Argentina is an area of a high biodiversity. However, few fleas have been recorded parasitizing mammals. In the present study we report the results of surveys carried out in the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, and Catamarca. The following 9 flea species and subspecies were collected from 17 species of mammals: Craneopsylla minerva minerva (Rothschild, 1903) (Stephanocircidae); Neotyphloceras crassispina hemisus Jordan, 1936 (Ctenophthalmidae); Adoratopsylla (Tritopsylla) intermedia intermedia (Wagner, 1901) (Ctenophthalmidae); Tetrapsyllus (Phylliver) bleptus (Jordan and Rothschild, 1923) (Rhopalopsyllidae); Polygenis (Polygenis) acodontis (Jordan and Rothschild, 1923) (Rhopalopsyllidae); Phthiropsylla agenoris (Rothschild, 1904) (Malacopsyllidae); Malacopsylla grossiventris (Weyenbergh, 1879) (Malacopsyllidae); Pulex irritans Linnaeus, 1758 (Pulicidae); and Hectopsylla gracilis Mahnert, 1982 (Tungidae). Neotyphloceras crassispina hemisus, Ad. (T.) i. intermedia, Ph. agenoris, and H. gracilis are reported for the first time from northwestern Argentina, from specimens collected in the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca. The mammals Micoureus constantiae (Thomas, 1904); Thylamys cf. cinderella (Thomas, 1902); Thylamys sponsorius (Thomas, 1921) (Didelphimorphia); Akodon albiventer Thomas, 1897; Akodon caenosus Thomas, 1918; Calomys lepidus (Thomas, 1884); Eligmodontia hirtipes Thomas, 1902; Eligmodontia puerulus (Philippi, 1896); Phyllotis xanthopygus (Waterhouse, 1837); Tapecomys primus Anderson and Yates, 2000 (Rodentia); and Chaetophractus vellerosus (Gray, 1865) (Cingulata) have an increased number of parasite species known to them. Eighteen new parasite–host associations are also reported.

The Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera), Parasites of Sigmodontine Rodents (Cricetidae) from Northern Patagonia, Argentina

The flea fauna of Patagonia in Argentina comprises about 50% of the total species and subspecies known for Argentina. Given the high diversity of environments and the rich assemblage of sigmodontine rodents of the Patagonian region, flea richness is probably underestimated. In the present study, 16 species and subspecies of fleas parasitizing sigmodontines from Northern Patagonia are reported. Fifteen new parasite–host associations and new records of geographical distribution are reported. The results suggest the coexistence of an endemic flea fauna (Tetrapsyllus (Tetrapsyllus) tantillus; Tetrapsyllus (Tetrapsyllus) rhombus; Ectinorus (Ectinorus) spiculatus; Agastopsylla boxi boxi; and Sphinctopsylla ares) with other species and genera that occur mainly at lower latitudes than those of Patagonia (Tetrapsyllus (Phylliver) bleptus; Ectinorus (Ectinorus) hapalus and Polygenis (Polygenis) rimatus). Considering that the same situation occurs with some species and genera of their sigmodontine hosts, future studies will allow us to determine the distributional limits of each flea taxon and analyze the influence of host geographical distribution.

A review of the fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) from Argentina.

The Order Siphonaptera comprises cosmopolitan haematophagous ectoparasites of birds and mammals. More than ten years have past since the last list of species known for Argentina. Herein we provide a review of the fleas from the country, which includes an updated list, host species and geographical distribution for each taxa, as well as some comments. We report 127 species and subspecies belonging to eleven different families; 42 of these species are endemic. Four genera (Adoratopsylla, Cleopsylla, Ctenidiosomus, and Nonnapsylla) and six species and subspecies (Adoratopsylla (Adoratopsylla) antiquorum antiquorum, Agastopsylla pearsoni, Polygenis (Polygenis) roberti beebei, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) silewi, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) wilesi and Tunga terasma) are added to the list for Argentina. Nine species new to science are included, described on the bases of specimens collected from Argentina (Ctenidiosomus austrinus, Ectinorus (Ectinorus) lareschiae, Ectinorus (Ectinorus) spiculatus, Ectinorus (Ectinorus) morenoi, Hectopsylla narium, Plocopsylla (Plocopsylla) linardii, Neotyphloceras crackensis, Neotyphloceras pardinasii and Tunga perforans). Information provided herein contributes to the knowledge of the fleas from Argentina, necessary to a better understanding of their role as parasites themselves and vectors of zoonotic importance.

Finding of an Ixodid Tick Inside a Late Holocene Owl Pellet From Northwestern Argentina

Abstract In the present study, we report the earliest record of Ixodes sigelos from the late Holocene in Argentina. The tick was recovered from an owl pellet collected within a small mammal sequence in Las Máscaras Cave, Catamarca, Argentina (27°01′12S″, 66°44′37″W) and dated at 990 ± 35 cal yr. Based on bones also present in the pellet, the tick most-likely parasitized a rodent, identified as an Eligmodontia sp., which had been ingested by the owl.

Host range and geographical distribution of Ixodes sigelos (Acari: Ixodidae)

Larvae, nymphs and females of Ixodes sigelos Keirans, Clifford and Corwin (Ixodidae) were collected in 13 localities of the Patagonian region of Argentina parasitizing eight species of sigmodontine rodents. We report for the first time adults of I. sigelos for Argentina. Besides, we extend the southern limit of its geographical distribution, and six species of sigmodontines are added as new host species of I. sigelos (Phyllotis xanthopygus, Euneomys chinchilloides, Calomys musculinus, Reithrodon auritus, Loxodontomys micropus and Eligmodontia morgani). The presence of larvae, nymphs and females on sigmodontines, as well as more than 50% of the individuals engorged, indicate that I. sigelos can develop the complete parasitic phase of its life cycle on these small mammals. The geographical distribution of I. sigelos is restricted to the biogeographical Andean Region in Argentina and Chile.

Redescription of Neotyphloceras crassispina hemisus Jordan (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae: Neotyphloceratini)

Abstract:  Neotyphloceras crassispina hemisus Jordan is redescribed from male and female specimens collected at the type locality (Otro Cerro, Catamarca Province, Argentina) and nearby localities. New diagnostic morphological characters for both sexes are provided, which include the shape of the upper lobe of the fixed process of clasper, the crochet of the aedeagus and the shape and chaetotaxy of the distal arm of sternum IX for males, and the contour of the distal margin of sternum VII for females.

Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) with public health relevance in domestic pigs (Artiodactyla: Suidae) from Argentina

The presence of fleas can have a great negative impact on the productivity and well-being of the animals, and can contribute towards propagation of causative pathogens of important diseases in animals and humans. Fleas and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) are a known association. However, knowledge about fleas on pigs in Argentina is scarce. In this country, swine farming has become one of the main components of livestock production. This activity is primarily carried out by smallholder farmers, involving a potential risk to humans of acquiring pathogens. Our study was developed in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, in a region where there is strong swine livestock activity. We provide the first record for Argentina of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) and Pulex irritans Linnaeus, 1758 in domestic pigs, and the first data for the country of parasitological indexes of fleas in pigs. Ctenocephalides felis felis and P. irritans cause discomfort, nuisance, allergic reactions, and anaemia, and are known as vectors of several pathogens with importance for public health. The high prevalence and abundance of C. felis felis and P. irritans observed in pigs from Azul, Buenos Aires, are significant, and the absence of them in other studied localities could correspond to environmental characteristics. This paper expands the knowledge about the flea diversity associated with S. scrofa in Argentina and contributes to the knowledge of the ecology and biology of two cosmopolitan fleas and with public health relevance. This information is important for future epidemiological studies, as well as to establish prevention and control measures where appropriate.

Descriptions of two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla in northwestern Argentina: Plocopsylla in northwest Argentina

Two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) collected from sigmodontine rodents in northwestern Argentina are described and a key to identification of species of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, in Argentina is presented. Plocopsylla (P.) inti is cited for the first time in Argentina, extending its distribution ∼ 970 km further south than previously documented. New locality data and flea–host associations are recorded. The contributions of this study are relevant because they increase knowledge of the diversity of flea fauna in northwestern Argentina bordering a plague endemic area and will be useful in the implementation of plague control management plans in the future.