Seasonal study on ectoparasitic acari and insecta from the wild rodent Scapteromys aquaticus in Punta Lara, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

MARCELA LARESCHI

Proceedings of the XI International Congress of Acarology, Mérida, Mexico

Lugar: Mexico DF; Año: 2007

Seasonal variation of infestation parameters of Scapteromys aquaticus ectoparasites in Punta Lara, Argentina, was studied. All the hosts were parasitized with 4,598 specimens belonging to 15 species. The higher total mean abundance was shown in fall (MA=102.26), and seasonal specific richness varied from 9 to 10. Summer and fall communities showed the highest similarity (Css=84.61). Only Laelaps manghinhosi, Hoplopluera scapteromydis and Eutrombicula alfreddugesi seasonal mean abundance and prevalence were both significant. Whereas, only Ornithonyssus bacoti, Androlaelaps fahrenholzi and Laelaps paulistanensis seasonal prevalence was significant. Seasonal data presented in this study allow to identificate ectoparasite species closely related with S. aquaticus, from those which constitute secondary associations. This information contributes to a better understanding of ectoparasite-host relationships.