Some ectoparasites of rodent and bats captured at Gua Musang, Kelantan

M. Shariff, Shabrina (1991) Some ectoparasites of rodent and bats captured at Gua Musang, Kelantan. [Journal / Magazine]

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Abstract

A reconnaissance survey of the small mammal fauna was being conducted at Gua Musang, Kelantan Darul Naim for two separate months, in July and October 1991. A total of 104 small mammal fauna were being documented representing 56 bats, 21 squirrels, 22 rats, 3 shrews and 2 gymnures. The rodents comprised of 6 species of squirrels, 7 species of rats and 1 species each of the shrew and gymnure while the bats belonged to 12 species. It was found that 49% of these small mammals were infested with 7 broad group of ectoparasites consisting of the mesostigmatid/ cheyletid mites, the larval trombiculid mites or chiggers, listrophorids, ticks, fleas, lice and bat flies. The maximum infestation rate of the ectoparasites in the host animal was attained in the mesostigmatid/cheyletid mites (32.35%). The lowest infestation rate however was observed in the fleas (1.96%). The infestation rate of the ectoparasites in the host animals thus ranged from 32.35% to 1.96%. Attempts were also undertaken to identify these groups of ectoparasites to the various taxonomic rank and their significance was discussed.

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