M. V. Orlova

Ecology of Bats, Their Ectoparasites, and Associated Pathogens on Saint Kitts Island

Abstract Ectoparasites of bats and bat-associated pathogens are poorly studied in the Lesser Antilles Islands. 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.

Comparative analysis of vespertilionid bats’ (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) infestation with gamasid mites of the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858 during hibernation in the Urals and Western Siberia

The current paper presents new data on population dynamics of several gamasid mite species of the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Mesostigmata) during hibernation of their hosts, i.e. bats of the family Vespertilionidae. We revealed that the life cycle of macronyssids parasitising bats of the Siberian–Far Eastern chiropteral faunistic complex, e.g. eastern water bats Myotis petax, significantly differs from that of ectoparasites of bats of the European–Ural complex, e.g. pond bats Myotis dasycneme. Host preferences of ectoparasites of bats of the two complexes were also found to be different. Pond bat mites prefer well-fed hosts of both sexes, while mites parasitising the eastern water bat prefer female hosts irrespective of their body condition. We related these data to the history of bat settlements in Eurasia. For the first time, we note the possibility of macronyssid reproduction in hibernation shelters with temperature close to zero.

New records of ectoparasites of the eastern water bat Myotis petax Hollister, 1912 (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) and the revision of the material previously collected from Myotis daubentonii s. lato in the eastern Palaearctic

New records of ectoparasites from the eastern water bat Myotis petax Hollister, 1912, belonging to the Siberian-Russian Far Eastern complex and earlier regarded as the subspecies of the Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii s. lato, are given. Previous records of ectoparasites of the eastern water bat (old interpretation of the species) are revised. Fourteen species of bloodsucking arthropods feed on M. petax; these species include 4, 3, and 7 species of gamasid mites, fleas, and bat flies, respectively.

Three New Bat Ectoparasite Species of the Genus Macronyssus from Western Siberia (with an Identification Key for Females of the Genus Macronyssus from the Palearctic Boreal Zone)

Abstract:  Three new gamasid mite species belonging to the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Macronyssidae), namely, Macronyssus sibiricus n. sp., Macronyssus stanyukovichi n. sp., and Macronyssus tigirecus n. sp., are described (females only; males, protonymphs, and larvae remain unknown). All species are known from Western Siberia and belong to the Siberian–Far Eastern bat ectoparasite fauna complex. The parasite hosts are the eastern water bat Myotis petax Hollister, 1912, and Hilgendorfs tube-nosed bat Murina hilgendorfi Peters, 1880 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). An identification key for females of the genus Macronyssus Kolenati, 1858, in the boreal Palearctic region is presented.

New findings of ectoparasites of bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Southern Siberia

Data on new findings of ectoparasites (mites and insects) of bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Western Sayan and Tuva are presented. The bat fly Basilia mongolensis mongolensis Theodor, 1966 is reported for the first time from the territory of Russia. The gamasid mite Spinturnix bregetovae Stanyukovich, 1995 is new to the region. New hosts are described for some ectoparasites.

Contribution to the Ectoparasite Fauna of Rare and Poor Studied Bat Species of Southern Siberia

Forty-six chiropteran specimens from seven species have been captured on the territory of Southern Siberia. From them, 676 ectoparasites of 16 species (gamasid mites and insects) were collected. The bat fly Basilia mongolensis mongolensis Theodor, 1966 was found in Russia for the first time. The gamasid mites Spinturnix maedai Uchikawa et Wada, 1979 and Macronyssus hosonoi Uchikawa, 1979 have not previously been registered in Siberia. Several species have been recorded on new hosts. Three gamasid mite species of the genus Macronyssus are new to science. New data on the ecology of low-abundant and poorly studied bat species belonging to the Siberian-Far Eastern complex have been provided.

New records of ectoparasitic Acari (Arachnida) and Streblidae (Diptera) from bats in Jalisco, Mexico.

ABSTRACT: Ectoparasites of bats in the Neotropics are diverse and play numerous ecological roles as vectors of microbial pathogens and endoparasites and as food sources for other cave fauna living both on their hosts and in bat roosts. The ectoparasites of bats in Jalisco State of western Mexico have not been as well described as those of other states with recent checklists that have focused primarily on the Yucatan Peninsula. We captured bats from 2011–2015 on the south coast and Sierra de Amula, Jalisco using mist nets, and we removed ectoparasites by hand. We identified 24 species of streblid bat flies and six ectoparasitic mites from bats caught in mist nets. There were an additional eight possibly undescribed species of Streblidae. Our collections extend the known range of species into Jalisco.

Patterns of Abundance and Host Specificity of Bat Ectoparasites in the Central Balkans

Abstract Bats are hosts to a number of ectoparasites—acarines (ticks, chiggers, other mites), bat flies, and fleas. Bat ectoparasites might have significant ecological and public health importance as they may be potential vectors of zoonotic agents. It is important to identify their distribution, diversity, and host-parasite associations. Bat ectoparasites in the central Balkans have been largely understudied. The present research was conducted in 45 localities at the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. In total, 1,143 individuals of 18 species of bats have been examined for the presence and abundance of ectoparasite species during 3 yr of research. In total, 21 ectoparasite species have been identified: three species of ticks, seven species of mites (including one species of chigger), eight species of bat flies, and three species of fleas. In total, 80 host-parasite associations have been identified. The largest number of ectoparasites parasitized primarily only one host species. The highest total number of hosts was identified for ectoparasite species Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, Nycteribia schmidlii Schiner, and Spinturnix myoti Kolenati. The spinturnicid mite Spinturnix psi Kolenati was the most abundant ectoparasite species and together with Penicilidia dufouri Westwood the most widely distributed species of bat ectoparasite, being present at 21 localities in the central Balkans. The presented data include the first systematic records of patterns of prevalence, mean intensity, mean abundance, and host specificity for bat ectoparasites in the central Balkans.

Contribution to the Ectoparasite Fauna of Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae) of Crimea

New data are presented on the ectoparasite fauna of several species of vesper and horseshoe bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae) of the Crimean Peninsula. In the studied territory, 11 species of ectoparasites (mites and insects) have been collected from 6 bat species; 2 of the ectoparasite species were new to Crimea. Findings of gamasid mites Ichoronyssus scutatus on an unusual host are discussed. The gamasid mite Spinturnix emarginatus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina) is described for the territory of Russia for the first time.

Peculiarities of the Seasonal Biology of Ectoparasites of the Genus Spinturnix von Heyden, 1826 (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Spinturnicidae) in the Boreal Zone of the Palearctic Region

The most complete data on the peculiarities of seasonal biology of gamasid mites of the genus Spinturnix, which are ectoparasites of bats of the boreal zone of the Old World, are presented. Data on the dynamics of the sex and age structure of superpopulations of parasites throughout the year are presented; the infestation of various bat species is analyzed, and the factors affecting it are discussed. The main differences between the life cycles of the boreal and subboreal Spinturnicidae mites were revealed.