Arthropod Ectoparasites of Rattus norvegicus in Four Governorates in Egypt and the Effect of Host Location, Sex and Age on Their Prevalence

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

1 Zoology and Agric. Nematology Dept., Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

2 Dept. of Entomology and Pesticides, Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ., Giza, Egypt

Abstract

A total of 83 Norway rat hosts were captured from four governorates using live traps and examined for their arthropod ectoparasites. 77.2% of Rattus norvegici@ were infested with at least one ectoparasite. Results revealed that 938ectoparasites, comprising: 140 (14.93%) fleas, 234 (24.95%) lice and 564 (60.1%) mites, belong to 4 orders, 7 families, 9 generaand 9 species. The 9 ectoparasites species included three fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis, Echidnophnga gnllinace‹in and Ctenocephnlides felis), two sucking lice (Hoplopleurn oenomydis and Polyplnx spinulosn) and four mites (Ornithonusstis  b‹rcoti,Lealap < /em>s  niittnlli,  Liponyssoides  snnguineus  and  Rndfordia  ensifera).  Location  is  a  key  factor affects the Infection prevalence and general indices of ectoparasite since location alteration involves many criteria like geographical situation, ecological condition, rodent predators, seasonal activities, human practices andsources of infection that influence the ectoparasite prevalence and indices. No host sex-associated differences in the prevalence of infection were found for ectoparasites but host age may affect the foraging choices for them.

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