Fleas infecting northern white-breasted hedgehogs, Erinaceus roumanicus (Barrett-Hamilton), collected from 2009-2011 in Budapest (Hungary) were studied. A total of 305 white-breasted hedgehogs were captured and 1,251 fleas were collected. The flea community comprised two species, the hedgehog flea Archaeopsylla erinacei (Bouche, 1835) and the dog flea Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826), although the latter was only found on three hedgehogs. Fleas were found on half of the host specimens (51%; n = 156) where their distribution was strongly aggregated. The sex ratio of A. erinacei was biased towards females and was correlated with host size. Interestingly, the sex ratio of fleas became more equal on heavier hosts. It had been expected that, under high competition, the sex ratio would be female biased because it is known that female ectoparasites dominate on poorer hosts. The body size of a random sample of 200 fleas (100 female and 100 male) was measured under a microscope. The analyses showed directional asymmetry in two features - the distance between the top of the head and the eye, and head length. In this two body traits the left side was significantly greater than right side in both sexes of A. erinacei. Our data shed light on the complex nature of the flea population infecting northern white-breasted hedgehogs in an urban area.
- MeSH
- Flea Infestations parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Hedgehogs parasitology MeSH
- Coinfection veterinary MeSH
- Linear Models MeSH
- Siphonaptera anatomy & histology classification MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Hungary MeSH
- Keywords
- přenos patogenů blechami, přípravky na ošetření zvířat,
- MeSH
- Housing MeSH
- Insect Control * MeSH
- DEET administration & dosage adverse effects therapeutic use MeSH
- Animals, Domestic MeSH
- Flea Infestations * pathology prevention & control transmission therapy MeSH
- Insecticides * administration & dosage classification therapeutic use MeSH
- Insect Bites and Stings complications prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pruritus therapy MeSH
- First Aid MeSH
- Insect Repellents * MeSH
- Sanitation MeSH
- Siphonaptera * anatomy & histology classification parasitology growth & development drug effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
To further investigate the diversity of Trypanosomatidae we have examined the species present within the flea (Siphonaptera) population in the Czech Republic. Out of 1549 fleas, 239 were found to be infected by trypanosomatids. Axenic cultures were established from 90 infected specimens and 29 of them were further characterized. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the SL RNA, gGAPDH, and SSU rRNA genes revealed a striking diversity within this group and analyzed isolates were classified into 16 Typing units (TUs) of which 15 typified new species. In addition to one Trypanosoma species, two TUs grouped within the sub-family Leishmaniinae, two clustered together with Herpetomonas, wheras 11 TUs formed a novel clade branching off between Trypanosoma spp. and remaining trypanosomatids. We propose to recognize this clade as a new genus Blechomonas and a new subfamily Blechomonadinae, and provide molecular and morphological description of 11 TUs representing this genus. Our finding of such an ancient host-specific group sheds new light at the origin of Trypanosomatidae and the roots of dixenous parasitism. The strict host restriction of Blechomonas to Siphonaptera with adult fleas' dependence on blood meal may reflect passing of parasites from larvae through pupae to adults and implies potential transmission to the warm-blooded vertebrates.
- MeSH
- Biodiversity * MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Rodentia MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- Siphonaptera classification genetics parasitology MeSH
- Trypanosomatina classification genetics isolation & purification physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Wild passerine birds (Passeriformes) from the northeastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for ectoparasites during the pre-breeding period in 2007. Two species of fleas of the genera Ceratophyllus and Dasypsyllus (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae), and 23 species of chewing lice belonging to the genera Ricinus, Myrsidea, Menacanthus (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae), Brueelia, Penenirmus, and Philopterus (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) were found on 108 birds of 16 species. Distribution of insect ectoparasites found on wild birds during pre-breeding was compared with previous data from the post-breeding period. There was no difference in total prevalence of chewing lice in pre-breeding and post-breeding periods. Higher prevalence of fleas and slightly higher mean intensity of chewing lice were found on birds during the pre-breeding period. There was a significant difference in total prevalence but equal mean intensity of chewing lice on resident and migrating birds.
- MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Breeding MeSH
- Animals, Wild MeSH
- Insecta classification growth & development MeSH
- Ectoparasitic Infestations epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Animal Migration MeSH
- Bird Diseases epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Passeriformes parasitology MeSH
- Phthiraptera classification growth & development MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Birds MeSH
- Siphonaptera classification growth & development MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
