Interrelationship between Ectoparasites and Wild Rodents from Northeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

SANTIAGO NAVA, MARCELA LARESCHI, DAMIÁN VOGLINO

MEMóRIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ.

Año: 2003 vol. 98 p. 45 - 49

0074-0276

Infestation parameters and indices of mites, ticks and fleas associated with wild rodents from northeasternBuenos Aires Province, Argentina, were studied. Host species similarity was also analyzed in relation to theirectoparasites. Fifty-five rodents were captured from January 2000 to March 2001. In total, 1,022 ectoparasites werecollected and three ectoparasite-host associations were new records. However, this is the first study on Craneopsyllaminerva wolffhuegeli infesting parameters. Ectoparasite total mean abundance and total prevalence were higher inHolochilus brasiliensis (MA = 47.7; P = 100%) and Scapteromys aquaticus (MA = 25.4; P = 95.4%), meanwhilespecific richness and diversity were higher in Oligoryzomys flavescens (S = 6; H = 1.3) and Akodon azarae (S = 4;H = 1.0). On the other hand, the only individual of Calomys laucha was not parasited. S. aquaticus-H. brasiliensis,which preferred similar microhabitats, shared the same ectoparasite species (Css = 100). Whereas, A. azarae, whichwas mostly associated with grassland, showed the highest difference with the other hosts (Css < 0.4). Consideringevery ectoparasite species, H. brasiliensis showed the highest mean abundance, prevalence and preference. Theresults suggest that the particular characteristics of this rodent would give it better possibilities not only of beinginfested by ectoparasites, but also of transmitting them to its progeny.