New record of Nosopsyllus (Nosopsyllus) barbarus (Jordan and Rothschild, 1912) (Aphaniptera: Dolichopsyllidae) from Sicily. Morphology at scanning electron microscopy of N. (N.) barbarus and N. (N.) fasciatus (Bosc D'Antic, 1800).

ABSTRACT

Nosopsyllus (N.) fasciatus, species or complex cosmopolitan and very polymorphic, is established in most of Italian regions, in association with murine rodents, especially domestic species. N. (N.) barbarus, similar to N. fasciatus in modified segments of the male and perhaps in ecology, is presently known from North Africa regions and a few Mediterranean islands; in Italy it is reported from Sardinia and Egadi islands. In this note the N. barbarus presence in Sicily (Palermo) and the contemporary record of N. fasciatus from the same country and host species (Rattus rattus frugivorus) are reported for the first time. The coexistence of both species was shown until now, only in Sardinia. A scanning electron microscope was used to describe the clasper of the male of N. fasciatus and the main diagnostic surface differences between females of N. fasciatus and N. barbarus.