Parasite-host interactions of bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) in Brazilian tropical dry forests.
Parasitol Res
; 115(1): 367-77, 2016 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26475479
ABSTRACT
Studies on the parasitology of ectoparasitic bat flies are scarce, and they are needed to identify patterns in parasitism. Hence, in the present study, we assessed community composition, prevalence, average infestation intensity, and specificity in the fly-bat associations in Brazilian tropical dry forests. In order to do that, we used the parasitological indices known as prevalence and average infestation intensity, along with an index of host specificity. We collected 1098 bat flies of 38 species. Five of the associations found are new to Brazil, 9 are new to southeastern Brazil, and 10 are new to science. Average infestation intensity varied from 1 to 9 and prevalence 0 to 100 %. In terms of specificity, 76 % of the bat flies were associated to a single host (monoxenic). These results highlight the low capacity of bat flies to survive on a not usual host especially due to an immunological incompatibility between parasites and hosts and dispersal barriers.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Quirópteros
/
Dípteros
/
Ectoparasitoses
Tipo de estudo:
Prevalence_studies
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article