Ectoparasitic acari of small mammals from montane area of Cameron Highlands, Pahang

M. Shariff, Shabrina and Rafaee, . and Hamid, . (1992) Ectoparasitic acari of small mammals from montane area of Cameron Highlands, Pahang. [Journal / Magazine]

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Abstract

Studies on ectoparasitic acari were further continued at various randomly selected habitats. One such locality was situated at the montane forest of Cameron Highlands in Pahang Darul Makmur. Studies were conducted for a ten day period each in the months of January and July 1993. A total of 128 small mammals assemblage inclusive of bats were captured. These trapped fauna comprised primarily of rodents belonging to 5 species of rats, 3 species of squirrels, 2 species of shrews and 1 species of civet. The bats however consisted of 7 species. Only 68.55 % of the individuals were infested with ectoparasites. Seven groups of ectoparasites were recovered from these specimens. They encompassed the listrophorids, mesostigmatid / cheyletid / spinturnicid mites, ticks, fleas, lice, larval trombiculid mites or chiggers and bat files. Infestation was pronounced in the rats especially Niviventer rapit with listrophorids and the mites dominating as the maximum parasite loads. Fleas were the least prevalent and were encountered in the rats namely Leopoldamys edwardsi and Rattus r. diardii. The infestation rate in these specimens varied from 2.65 % to 37.04%. These harboured ectoparasites fall under the category of 2 Orders namely Acariformes and Parasitiformes.

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