Detection of ectoparasites and investigation of infection by Rickettsia spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in bats from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

This study aimed to investigate the presence of ectoparasites and the occurrence of natural infection by Rickettsia spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in bats from Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The evaluated animals were obtained from the Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, sent by the Centro Estadual de Vigilância Sanitária, to carry out rabies diagnostic tests, during the period from 2016 to 2021. The bats came from 34 municipalities in RS. Of the 109 animals surveyed, 35.8% (39/109) had 385 ectoparasites, with an average of 9.9 parasites per animal. Of these bats, all had insectivorous feeding habits, with 35.9% (14/39) females and 64.1% (25/39) males. The co-parasitism of Chirnyssoides sp., Ewingana inaequalis, and Chiroptonyssus robustipes on Molossus currentium (Mammalia, Chiroptera) was recorded for the first time. All bats surveyed were negative for infection by the protozoan and bacteria. Thus, the expansion of the occurrence of these ectoparasites in insectivorous bats in RS was observed. Furthermore, this study corresponds to the first recorded interspecific associations for the species.

Molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) from Southern and Southeastern Brazil.

Despite the worldwide occurrence and high genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in bats, few studies investigate their occurrence in bat-associated mites. To date, 26 species of Macronyssidae mite species have been reported from Brazil, and 15 of which were found parasitizing bats. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Bartonella DNA in bat-associated macronyssid mites from Brazil. For this purpose, 393 macronyssid specimens were selected by convenience from the tissue bank of the Acari Collection of the Instituto Butantan (IBSP). These mites were collected from 14 different bat species in three different Brazilian States (Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Rio de Janeiro). Out of 165 mites positive in the PCR for the endogenous 18S rRNA gene, only eight were positive in the qPCR for Bartonella spp. based on the nuoG gene, and we were able to obtain two sequences base in this same gene, and one sequence based on the 16S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic inference based on the nuoG gene grouped the obtained sequences with Bartonella genotypes previously detected in bats and associated bat flies, while the phylogeny based on the 16S rRNA grouped the obtained sequence in the same clade of Bartonella genotypes previously detected in Dermanyssus gallinae. These findings suggest that macronyssid mites might be associated with the maintenance of bartonellae among bats.

The genus Perissopalla Brennan and White, 1960 (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) in Brazil: Redescriptions, new localities, and host records with the first molecular data for the genus.

The genus Perissopalla Brennan and White (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) is currently represented by ten species with three from Brazil: Perissopalla barticonycteris Brennan, Perissopalla ipeani Brennan, and Perissopalla tanycera Brennan. In the present study, these three species are redescribed and illustrated based on the types and additional non-type specimens. New host and locality records for P. ipeani and P. tanycera are included. Additionally, a partial sequence for the 18S rRNA gene for P. ipeani was provided.

Ticks (Ixodida) associated with bats (Chiroptera): an updated list with new records for Brazil.

Bats harbor diverse groups of ectoparasites, such as insects and mites like ticks (Ixodida). Some species of ticks with records for bats and humans have already been reported with the occurrence of pathogens. This research article aims to document new geographical and host records of ticks infesting bats in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil, and provides a list of tick species associated with bats in Brazil. We counted 12 argasid ticks and five ixodid ticks associated with six individuals of bats. Larvae of Amblyomma sp., Ixodes sp., Ornithodoros sp., and Ornithodoros hasei and one nymph of Amblyomma sculptum parasitizing Artibeus obscurus, Phyllostomus hastatus, Micronycteris sp., Molossus fluminensis, and Carollia perspicillata in different localities of Rio de Janeiro state were studied. We carried out a systematic review with the descriptors: tick bat Brazil. We considered data from 42 articles in the systematic review. We compiled eleven records of Ixodidae, and 160 records of Argasidae. Ornithodoros cavernicolous were the most recorded tick species. Overall, we registered 171 tick-bat or roost-bat associations with 85 records of these infesting bats. The review also shows the occurrence of tick species associated with bats, and we present new records on ticks parasitizing bats in Brazil.

Rhipicephalus microplus larvae: first report in bats, Molossus rufus.

Cattle are the main hosts of Rhipicephalus microplus; however, this ixodid can also parasitize other animal species. We collected a specimen of R. microplus larvae from one bat Molossus rufus (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the Cachoeirinha municipality (29° 56' 52'' S and 51° 5' 43'' W), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The specimen was taxonomically identified using identification keys (Vargas 2006). This study reports the first occurrence of this species parasitizing insectivorous bats in Brazil.

Co-occurrence of Ectoparasites (Insecta and Arachnida) on Bats (Chiroptera) in an Atlantic Forest Remnant, Southeastern Brazil.

PURPOSE: Neotropical bats are infested by multiple ectoparasites (like bat fly and mite species) and investigations on these invertebrates on their hosts are crucial to better understand the ectoparasite-ectoparasite and ectoparasite-host associations. The goal of this study was to report ectoparasites species (bat flies and mites) on bats, emphasizing ectoparasite co-occurrences and host-ectoparasite associations. We also test if there is relationship between bat flies and mites on their hosts. METHODS: This study occurred twice a month from September 2011 to September 2012 in an Atlantic Forest remnant in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Spearman correlation was used to test relationship between bat flies and mites. RESULTS: We found 27 species of ectoparasites on 13 species of bats. Ectoparasites belonged to the bat fly families Streblidae and Nycteribiidae, and the mite families Spinturnicidae, Macronyssidae, Sarcoptidae, and Trombiculidae. Streblid-streblid association was more frequent, but we also recorded streblid-spinturnicid, streblid-sarcoptid and spinturnicid-spinturnicid associations. The abundance of spinturnicid species was negatively related to the abundance of streblid species. We record the first occurrence of Strebla chrotopteri associated with Chrotopterus auritus, Periglischrus paracutisternus associated with Trachops cirrhosus and Basilia juquiensis associated with Myotis riparius for Rio de Janeiro State. CONCLUSION: There were several co-occurrences between different taxa and between species of the same family. These results show the importance of the integrated taxonomic record. The negative interspecific interactions between spinturnicid and streblid may affect distributions, structuring ectoparasite communities on hosts.

Two for the price of one: Co-infection with Rickettsia bellii and spotted fever group Rickettsia in Amblyomma (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks recovered from wild birds in Brazil.

The bacterium Rickettsia bellii has been detected in 25 species of ticks in the American continents, but its pathogenic potential is considered as undetermined. A possible role for this species in the phenomenon of transovarial exclusion of pathogenic members of the spotted fever group (SFG) of Rickettsia has been suggested and co-infections with pathogenic species have been reported infrequently in both North and South America. Traditional methods for the molecular detection of rickettsial agents in ticks focus largely on the identification of sequences found in SFG Rickettsia, an approach that may overlook the presence of co-infections with R. bellii. Two novel, species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, targeting the genes encoding the surface cell antigen (Sca), autotransporter proteins sca9 and sca14, were developed and validated for the detection of R. bellii using 150 Amblyomma ticks collected from wild birds in Brazil. Co-infection of R. bellii infected ticks was evaluated using a novel PCR assay targeting the ompA sequence characteristic of SFG Rickettsia. Preliminary species-level identification was achieved by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and subsequently confirmed by sequencing of amplicons. Nine out of seventy-three Amblyomma longirostre and one of two Amblyomma calcaratum ticks were shown to be co-infected with R. bellii and Rickettsia amblyommatis, while two out of sixty-seven Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré ticks were recorded as co-infected with R. bellii and the Rickettsia parkeri-like bacterium, strain ApPR. Interestingly, our data represent the first records of R. bellii in association with A. calcaratum and Amblyomma sp. haplotype Nazaré. The novel PCR-RFLP systems reported herein, provide an alternative, rapid and cost-efficient (relative to strategies based on sequencing or real-time PCR), approach to evaluate rickettsial co-infection of ticks, a potentially significant phenomenon that has most likely been underestimated to date.

Molecular detection of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. in bat ectoparasites in Brazil.

The family Streblidae comprises a monophyletic group of Hippoboscoidea, hematophagous dipterans that parasitize bats. Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. have been reported in bats sampled in Europe, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America. However, there are few reports on the Bartonella and Rickettsia bacteria infecting Hippoboscoidea flies and mites. While Spinturnicidae mites are ectoparasites found only in bats, those belonging to the family Macronyssidae comprise mites that also parasitize other mammal species. This study investigates the occurrence and assesses the phylogenetic positioning of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. found in Streblidae flies and Spinturnicidae and Macronyssidae mites collected from bats captured in Brazil. From May 2011 to April 2012 and September 2013 to December 2014, 400 Streblidae flies, 100 Macronyssidaes, and 100 Spinturnicidae mites were collected from bats captured in two sites in northeastern Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Forty (19.8%) out of 202 Streblidae flies were positive for Bartonella spp. in qPCR assays based on the nuoG gene. Among the flies positive for the bacterium, six (18%) were Paratrichobius longicrus, seven (29%) Strebla guajiro, two (40%) Aspidoptera phyllostomatis, five (11%) Aspidoptera falcata, one (10%) Trichobius anducei, one (25%) Megistopoda aranea, and 18 (32%) Trichobius joblingi, and collected from bats of the following species: Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Artibeus planirostris, Sturnira lilium, and Artibeus obscurus. Six sequences were obtained for Bartonella (nuoG [n = 2], gltA [n = 2], rpoB [n = 1], ribC = 1]). The phylogenetic analysis based on gltA (750pb) gene showed that the Bartonella sequences clustered with Bartonella genotypes detected in bats and ectoparasites previously sampled in Latin America, including Brazil. Only one sample (0.49%) of the species Trichobius joblingi collected from a specimen of Carollia perspicillata was positive for Rickettsia sp. in cPCR based on the gltA gene (401bp). This sequence was clustered with a 'Candidatus Rickettsia andaenae" genotype detected in an Amblyomma parvum tick collected from a rodent in the southern region of Brazilian Pantanal. The sampled Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites were negative for Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. This study demonstrated the first occurrence of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. DNA in Streblidae flies collected from bats in Brazil.

Richness of ectoparasitic flies (Diptera: Streblidae) of bats (Chiroptera)-a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in Brazil.

The family Streblidae consists of obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of bats. The richness of Streblidae may be affected by environmental and host-related variables, collection methods, and sampling effort. The purposes of this study were to list the Streblidae species recorded in Brazil, verify their distribution in the Brazilian biomes and states, and pinpoint the parameters that favored the greatest richness. Through queries in online databases and libraries, 86 publications were found containing records of 83 species in 24 genera. The state with the largest number of publications was São Paulo and Federal District presented the highest richness of Streblidae. The largest number of records of Streblidae species was in Cerrado biome. The meta-analyses utilizing 26 Brazilian inventories showed that the richness of Streblidae was positively correlated with the number of flies and richness and abundance of Phyllostomidae. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the distribution of research on Streblidae in Brazil and confirming the specificity between Streblidae and Phyllostomidae.

Host morphophysiological conditions and environment abiotic factors correlate with bat flies (Streblidae) prevalence and intensity in Artibeus Leach, 1821 (Phyllostomidae) / Correlação entre as condições morfofisiológicas do hospedeiro e fatores abióticos ambientais com a prevalência e intensidade de moscas (Streblidae) em Artibeus Leach, 1821 (Phyllostomidae)

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to correlate Streblidae parasitism rates with temperature and humidity as well as sex, age and reproductive condition of Artibeus bats. Streblidae specimens were collected during two years in the Tinguá Biological Reserve and in two areas inside buffer zone, located in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro State and preserved as wet specimens. The abundance of Streblidae species parasitizing Artibeus was analyzed, and no differences were found between them. However, the number of females parasitizing Artibeus fimbriatus was higher. Moreover, regarding sex, Artibeus females were more parasitized, particularly A. fimbriatus and A. lituratus. There was no correlation between mean intensity of infestation and body mass index of Artibeus species, even when correlated to abiotic data. This study contributes to better understand the parasitism on Artibeus by Streblidae, and based on results, it is clear that Streblidae show no preferences in terms of reproductive condition, body size, age, sex, temperature and humidity in parasitizing Artibeus species.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi de correlacionar as taxas de parasitismo de Streblidae com a temperatura e umidade, bem como sexo, idade e condução reprodutiva dos morcegos Artibeus. Os espécimes de Streblidae foram coletados durante dois anos na Reserva Biológica do Tinguá e em duas áreas dentro da zona de amortecimento, localizadas em Nova Iguaçu, estado do Rio de Janeiro, e preservados em coleção úmida. A abundância de espécies de Streblidae que parasitaram Artibeus foi analisada e não foram encontradas diferenças entre elas. No entanto, o número de fêmeas que parasitaram Artibeus fimbriatus foi maior. Além disso, em relação ao sexo, as fêmeas de Artibeus foram mais parasitadas, principalmente, A. fimbriatus e A. lituratus. Não houve correlação entre a intensidade média de infestação e o índice de corpóreo das espécies de Artibeus, mesmo quando correlacionados com dados abióticos. Este estudo contribui para uma melhor compreensão do parasitismo em Artibeus por Streblidae e, com base nos resultados, as moscas Streblidae não demostraram preferências em termos de condição reprodutiva, tamanho corporal, idade, sexo, temperatura e umidade ao parasitar as espécies de Artibeus.

New records for Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae) on non-passerine birds in Brazil.

The aim of this paper was to provide new records of Amblyomma sculptum on two species of terricolous birds in two areas of the Cerrado (savannah- like) bioma: two specimens of Cariama cristata were captured in the state of Goiás and one specimen ofCrax fasciolata was captured in the state of Minas Gerais. One of the C. cristata was parasitized by 15 larvae, six nymphs, one male and two females whereas the C. fasciolata was parasitized by seven larvae and eight nymphs. This paper presents a new locality for occurrence of parasitism A. sculptum in C. cristata and a new host for C fasciolata.

New host records of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Acari: Ixodidae) on birds in Brazil.

Birds are an important component of the life histories and bioecology of a number of tick species and of some tick associated pathogens. An examination of the data concerning bird/tick associations in the Neotropics, showed that the tick Haemaphysalis leporispalustrisis (Packard, 1869) was rarely recorded infesting birds. The current study reports parasitism by H. leporispalustris in wild birds collected from Atlantic rain forest environments in the states of Rio de Janeiro (4LL) and Minas Gerais (17LL, 1NN), Brazil. All ticks were identified morphologically to the genus level; total DNA was extracted from each Haemaphysalis tick and examined by PCR and nucleotide sequencing of fragments of the eukaryotic genes encoding 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA. The bird species Arremon semitorquatus, Corythopis delalandi, Fluvicola nengeta, Troglodytes musculus, and Volatinia jacarina were recorded as hosts for H. leporispalustris for the first time in South America, and Turdus rufiventris represented a new record for Brazil.

New records for Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae) on non-passerine birds in Brazil / Novos registros de Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae) em aves não-passeriformes no Brasil

Abstract The aim of this paper was to provide new records of Amblyomma sculptum on two species of terricolous birds in two areas of the Cerrado (savannah- like) bioma: two specimens of Cariama cristata were captured in the state of Goiás and one specimen ofCrax fasciolata was captured in the state of Minas Gerais. One of the C. cristata was parasitized by 15 larvae, six nymphs, one male and two females whereas the C. fasciolata was parasitized by seven larvae and eight nymphs. This paper presents a new locality for occurrence of parasitism A. sculptum in C. cristata and a new host for C fasciolata.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar novos registros de Amblyomma sculptum em duas espécies de aves terrícolas em duas áreas do bioma Cerrado: dois espécimes de Cariama cristata foram capturados no Estado de Goiás e um exemplar de Crax fasciolata foi capturado no Estado de Minas Gerais. Um dos exemplares de C. fasciolataestava parasitado por 15 larvas, seis ninfas, um macho e duas fêmeas, enquantoC. fasciolata estava parasitada por sete larvas e oito ninfas. Neste registro são apresentados nova localidade para ocorrência do parasitismo de A. sculptum em C. cristata e novo hospedeiro para C. fasciolata.

Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observations on life cycle under laboratory conditions.

The natural hosts of Amblyomma nodosum in the immature stages are a variety of birds and the anteater in the adult stage. However, so far no data have been published about this tick's life cycle. To fill this gap, a record was made of its development under laboratory conditions. All the procedures were controlled in a BOD chamber set at 27±1 °C and 80±10% relative humidity and scotophase. The parasitic stages were raised on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758), from which more than 50% of larvae and nymphs were recovered, although only a small portion performed ecdysis. The adults did not fixed on the rabbits, which suggests that the experimental conditions were unsuitable for the requirements of this species. The data obtained here indicate that A. nodosum is highly dependent on its host and environment whereas under laboratory conditions and host chosen for the study was not obtained satisfactory results and new studies with different hosts and new environmental conditions should be elaborated.

Ornithodoros faccinii n. sp. (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) parasitizing the frog Thoropa miliaris (Amphibia: Anura: Cycloramphidae) in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Most argasid ticks from the Neotropical region are parasites of mammals and birds, with a few records from reptiles. Many species of the genus Ornithodoros are known only through larval descriptions, and their chaetotaxy and morphological characteristics have been used to separate the taxa. In the present study, we describe the larva and the nymph of first instar of a new species of the genus Ornithodoros that was collected from frogs of the species Thoropa miliaris. METHODS: Larvae of Ornithodoros were collected from frogs of the species T. miliaris at waterfalls in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. The larval and nymphal description was based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular analysis using the argasid 16S rRNA sequences available in GenBank was also conducted. RESULTS: Ornithodoros faccinii sp. n. is closely related to Ornithodoros clarki Jones & Clifford, Ornithodoros marinkellei Kohls, Clifford & Jones, Ornithodoros capensis Neumann and Ornithodoros sawaii Kitaoka & Susuki. However, the larval morphology of the new species is unique. The mitochondrial 16S rDNA partial sequence of O. faccinii generated in the present study was deposited in GenBank under the number KP861242. CONCLUSIONS: The larvae collected from Thoropa miliaris are a new species, Ornithodoros faccinii n. sp. This is the first report of argasid ticks on frogs in Brazil, the second on frogs and the third on Amphibia in the Neotropical region.

Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observations on life cycle under laboratory conditions / Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observações sobre o ciclo biológico em condições de laboratório

The natural hosts of Amblyomma nodosum in the immature stages are a variety of birds and the anteater in the adult stage. However, so far no data have been published about this ticks life cycle. To fill this gap, a record was made of its development under laboratory conditions. All the procedures were controlled in a BOD chamber set at 27±1 °C and 80±10% relative humidity and scotophase. The parasitic stages were raised on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758), from which more than 50% of larvae and nymphs were recovered, although only a small portion performed ecdysis. The adults did not fixed on the rabbits, which suggests that the experimental conditions were unsuitable for the requirements of this species. The data obtained here indicate that A. nodosum is highly dependent on its host and environment whereas under laboratory conditions and host chosen for the study was not obtained satisfactory results and new studies with different hosts and new environmental conditions should be elaborated.

Os hospedeiros naturais deAmblyomma nodosum, nos estágios imaturos, são uma variedade de pássaros e, na fase adulta, são os tamanduás. No entanto, até agora não há dados publicados sobre o ciclo de vida desse carrapato. Para preencher essa lacuna, um registro foi realizado sobre o desenvolvimento em condições de laboratório. Todos os procedimentos foram controlados em câmaras tipo BOD a 27±1 °C e 80±10% de umidade relativa e escotofase. As fases parasitárias foram desenvolvidas em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculusLinnaeus, 1758), a partir dos quais mais de 50% das larvas e ninfas foram recuperados, embora apenas uma pequena porção tenha realizado ecdise. Os adultos não se fixaram nos coelhos, o que sugere que as condições experimentais eram inadequadas para os requisitos dessa espécie. Os dados obtidos indicam queA. nodosumé altamente dependente de seu hospedeiro e ambiente, enquanto em condições de laboratório e pela escolha do hospedeiro para o estudo não foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios, e novos estudos com diferentes hospedeiros e novas condições ambientais devem ser elaborados.

Amblyomma auricularium (Acari: Ixodidae): underwater survival of the non-parasitic phase of feeding females.

To determine the effects of immersion in water on the biological parameters of engorged females of the tick species Amblyomma auricularium, 60 females were distributed in six groups, each comprising 10 individuals. The control group - G1 (not immersed) was fixed dorsally in a Petri dish and incubated at 27 ± 1°C and 80% RH. The other groups were subjected to immersion periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, and the sixth group to continuous immersion. After the immersion period, the females were placed in Petri dishes to begin laying. Eggs were collected every 72 hours and kept in biological chambers. All the groups showed significant differences (p <0.05) during the pre-oviposition period. The laying period and the average weight of overall posture did not change. The egg incubation period also did not differ significantly, but the hatching rate in the group immersed for 96h showed a significant difference. Thus, immersion for up to 96 hours does not impair the survival of A. auricularium females, although it may delay egg laying and reduce the number of offspring.

Amblyomma auricularium (Acari: Ixodidae): underwater survival of the non-parasitic phase of feeding females / Amblyomma auricularium (Acari: Ixodidae): sobrevivência subaquática da fase não parasitária de fêmeas alimentadas

To determine the effects of immersion in water on the biological parameters of engorged females of the tick species Amblyomma auricularium, 60 females were distributed in six groups, each comprising 10 individuals. The control group – G1 (not immersed) was fixed dorsally in a Petri dish and incubated at 27 ± 1°C and 80% RH. The other groups were subjected to immersion periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, and the sixth group to continuous immersion. After the immersion period, the females were placed in Petri dishes to begin laying. Eggs were collected every 72 hours and kept in biological chambers. All the groups showed significant differences (p <0.05) during the pre-oviposition period. The laying period and the average weight of overall posture did not change. The egg incubation period also did not differ significantly, but the hatching rate in the group immersed for 96h showed a significant difference. Thus, immersion for up to 96 hours does not impair the survival of A. auricularium females, although it may delay egg laying and reduce the number of offspring.

A fim de conhecer os efeitos da imersão em água sobre os parâmetros biológicos de fêmeas ingurgitadas de Amblyomma auricularium, 60 fêmeas foram distribuídas em seis grupos, cada um contendo 10 indivíduos. O grupo controle G1 (sem imersão) foi fixado dorsalmente numa placa de Petri e incubado a 27 ± 1°C e 80 % de HR. Os demais grupos foram submetidos a períodos de imersão de 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas e, o último grupo, em imersão continua. Após o período de imersão, as fêmeas foram colocadas em placas de Petri para iniciar a postura. Os ovos foram coletados a cada 72 horas e mantidos em câmaras biológicas. Houve diferença significativa (p <0,05) em relação ao período de pré-oviposição de todos os grupos. O período de postura e o peso médio da postura total não se alterou. O período de incubação dos ovos também não diferiram significativamente, mas houve uma diferença significativa na taxa de eclosão das larvas no grupo imerso por 96 horas. Assim, a imersão por até 96 horas não compromete a sobrevivência de fêmeas de A. auricularium, mas pode retardar a postura de ovos e reduzir o número de descendentes.

Streblidae (Diptera) on bats (Chiroptera) in an area of Atlantic Forest, state of Rio de Janeiro.

Because of the few records of Streblidae on bats, despite extensive study on these mammals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, a survey was carried out in an area of Atlantic Forest, in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, known as the Tinguá region. Thirteen species were added to the list of Streblidae in the state of Rio de Janeiro, of which two were new records for Brazil. Thirty-one species have now been reported this state.

Free-living ixodid ticks in an urban Atlantic Forest fragment, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As a consequence of the importance of ticks in forests in protected areas, was conducted survey of species of free-living ticks in the Natural Park Municipal Curió, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Monthly samples were taken by dragging method, dry ice traps and visual search in two transects. Adults and nymphs of Amblyomma cajennense (n= 147), Amblyomma brasiliense (n= 4) and Amblyomma parvum (n= 1) were collected. This is the first occurrence of A. parvum in the state. No correlation was found between the abundance of stages of A. cajennense and rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. The highest abundances of adults were in the months of January and May, and nymphs in September and October. The low diversity of parasites on Curió Park can be attributed to the proximity of households with pets, which would also explain the higher abundance of A. cajennense that is commonly found in areas impacted by anthropogenic pressure.