Host-parasite relationships between fleas and bats hibernating in ice and limestone calves in Slovakia
Trpis, M.
Bulletin of the Society for Vector Ecology 19(1): 8-12
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 2644-0970
Accession: 031724250
Between 1955 and 1959, 163 specimens of fleas were collected from 2,268 bats hibernating in Slovak caves. Seven species, including two subspecies, of fleas were found: Ischnopsyllus (I.) octactenus; Ischnopsyllus (I.) simplex, which occurred in two subspecies, Ischnopsyllus simplex simplex and Ischnopsyllus simplex mysticus; Ischnopsyllus (I.) intermedius; Ischnopsyllus (H.) hectactenus; Rhinolophopsylla unipectinata; and Nycteridopsylla pectactena. Fleas infested 9 of 14 species of bats hibernating in underground caves: Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Eptesicus serotinus, Eptesicus nilsoni, Plecotus auritus, Myotis myotis, Myotis oxyghnatus, Myotis mystacinus and Barbastella barbastellus. Myotis mystacinus was the species most infested with fleas. The most abundant species of fleas were I. octactenus, I. hectactenus, and R. unipectinata. Quantitative relationships between bats and fleas is presented.