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Barbier E, André MR, Bernard E. A wingless fly on a winged mammal: host-parasite dynamics between Basilia travassosi (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) and Myotis lavali (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Parasitol Res 2024; 123:269. [PMID: 38995426 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08294-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Nycteribiidae encompasses a specialized group of wingless blood-sucking flies that parasitize bats worldwide. Such relationships are frequently species- or genus-specific, indicating unique eco-evolutionary processes. However, despite this significance, comprehensive studies on the relationships of these flies with their hosts, particularly in the New World, have been scarce. Here, we provide a detailed description of the parasitological patterns of nycteribiid flies infesting a population of Myotis lavali bats in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, considering the potential influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the establishment of nycteribiids on bat hosts. From July 2014 to June 2015, we captured 165 M. lavali bats and collected 390 Basilia travassosi flies. Notably, B. travassosi displayed a high prevalence and was the exclusive fly species parasitizing M. lavali in the surveyed area. Moreover, there was a significant predominance of female flies, indicating a female-biased pattern. The distribution pattern of the flies was aggregated; most hosts exhibited minimal or no parasitism, while a minority displayed heavy infestation. Sexually active male bats exhibited greater susceptibility to parasitism compared to their inactive counterparts, possibly due to behavioral changes during the peak reproductive period. We observed a greater prevalence and abundance of flies during the rainy season, coinciding with the peak reproductive phase of the host species. No obvious correlation was observed between the parasite load and bat body mass. Our findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of nycteribiid-bat interactions and emphasize the importance of considering various factors when exploring bat-parasite associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eder Barbier
- Laboratório de Ciência Aplicada à Conservação da Biodiversidade, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Enrico Bernard
- Laboratório de Ciência Aplicada à Conservação da Biodiversidade, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil
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Yang J, Wang Y, Yang H, Zhang X, Zheng X, Huang X. Infection status and molecular detection of pathogens carried by ectoparasites of Miniopterus fuliginosus bats in Yunnan, China. Parasitol Int 2024; 98:102823. [PMID: 37967717 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Bats serve as natural hosts for various infectious agents that can affect both humans and animals, and they are geographically widespread. In recent years, the prevalence of bat-associated pathogens has surged on a global scale, consequently generating significant interest in bats and their ectoparasites. In this study, we specifically selected the Miniopterus fuliginosus as the host and conducted bat captures in Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and the other in Mouding Township, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, located in Yunnan Province, China. Ectoparasites were meticulously collected from the bat body surface, alongside blood samples for subsequent analyses. Following collection, the ectoparasites were methodically identified and subjected to comprehensive ecological analysis. Additionally, DNA was extracted from both the bat blood and bat flies, with conventional PCR techniques utilized for molecular screening of four pathogens: Anaplasma sp., Babesia sp., Hepatozoon sp., and Bartonella sp. The capture efforts yielded a total of 37 M. fuliginosus, from which 388 ectoparasites were recovered, including 197 gamasid mites (Cr = 50.77%, PM = 94.59%, MA = 5.32, MI = 5.63) and 191 bat flies (Cr = 49.23%, PM = 75.68%, MA = 5.16, MI = 6.82). Notably, Steatonyssus nyctali (Y = 0.28, m*/m = 2.44) and Nycteribia allotopa (Y = 0.23,m*/m = 1.54) predominated among different individuals of M. fuliginosus, exhibiting an aggregated distribution pattern. The infection rates of Bartonella sp. were identified to be 18.92% (7/37) among bats and 37.17% (71/191) among bat flies, based on the testing of 37 bats and 191 bat flies. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Bartonella sequences exhibited similarity to those found in bats and bat flies within China and South Korea. This study not only contributes to our comprehension of ectoparasite infection in M. fuliginosus but also establishes a foundation for potential exploration of their role as vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Yang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yujian Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin St, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Shatai South Road, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xianzheng Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiaobin Huang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China.
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Dos Santos da Silva A, Barbier E, Júnior WRT, da Silva LAM, de Oliveira JB. Parasitism on bats by bat flies in remnants of a humid forest enclave area in Northeastern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 37:100826. [PMID: 36623906 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Flies are the main bloodsucking ectoparasites of Neotropical bats. The aim of this study was to describe the community of flies on bats from a humid forest enclave, surrounded by the semiarid landscape of the Caatinga domain, in Northeastern Brazil. In addition, we tested the influence of dry and rainy periods on the parasitological indices. Fieldwork was carried out in three anthropized remnants of a humid forest enclave in the Agreste mesoregion of Pernambuco state, Northeastern Brazil. Bats were captured monthly, from August 2018 to July 2019, and the ectoparasites were collected. Overall, 807 bats of 14 species and 11 genera of the families Phyllostomidae (13 spp.) and Vespertilionidae (1 sp.) were captured. Only four bat species had >50 individuals captured, and Carollia perspicillata was the most abundant species (259/807; 32%). Five hundred and seventy-one bat flies from 13 species (11 Streblidae and 2 Nycteribiidae) were collected, of which Trichobius joblingi was the most prevalent fly (197/571; 34.5%). Only the parasitism by T. joblingi was influenced by seasonality, with higher prevalence (P = 0.01) and intensity of infestation (P = 0.02) in the dry season. No lesions associated with parasitism were observed in any of the captured bats. Our results suggest that the bat-fly relationship can be affected in different ways by environmental variables, depending on the species involved. The results of this work contribute to the knowledge about ectoparasites of bats in the Neotropical region, with emphasis on humid forest enclaves, where studies of the host-parasite-environment relationship are scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson Dos Santos da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia (LAPAR), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Eder Barbier
- Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Wallace Rodrigues Telino Júnior
- Laboratório de Ensino de Zoologia (LABEZoo), Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco, Avenida Bom Pastor, 55292-270 Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Luiz Augustinho Menezes da Silva
- Grupo de Estudo de Morcegos do Nordeste (GEMNE), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória de Santo Antão, Núcleo de Biologia, Rua Alto do Reservatório, s/n, 55608-680 Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Bianque de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitologia (LAPAR), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociência Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, 52171-900 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Ectoparasitic flies of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in urban green areas of northeastern Brazil. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:117-126. [PMID: 36289082 PMCID: PMC9607744 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07703-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In urban and degraded areas, ectoparasite abundance can be affected by increasing human population density and habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to characterize the ectoparasitic fly community associated with bats in the urban green areas of Sergipe, Brazil. Campaigns were conducted monthly, for two consecutive nights, between September 2019 and February 2021. To capture the bats, ten mist nets were set up inside and at the edge of the habitat fragments. All ectoparasites found were removed from the bats and stored in 70% alcohol. The specificity index, parasitological rates, and level of parasite aggregation were calculated, and the influence of host sex and seasonality on parasitological rates were verified for the most parasitized bats. The collected ectoparasites corresponded to the families Nycteribiidae (S = 1; n = 26) and Streblidae (S = 13; n = 849), with Trichobius costalimai and Medistopoda aranea being the most abundant species. For some interactions, there was an influence of host sex on the prevalence rates, with the highest number of parasites being found on females, which can be explained by their greater susceptibility to parasitism owing to their long stay in roosts. The seasonality influenced the parasitological rates, and opposing patterns (from what was expected) were observed for some interactions; this influence may be due to the biological differences between parasite species. This study provides relevant data on this interaction, especially for urban areas in northeastern Brazil, expanding the number of studies in the State of Sergipe and promoting future studies.
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Gómez-Corea W, España FG, Mejía-Quintanilla D, Alvarez MRDV. Bat fly (Diptera: Streblidae) and common vampire bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) association in Honduras: prevalence, mean intensity, infracommunities and influence of the biological characteristics of the host. ZOOLOGIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-4689.v39.e21018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Variation of dipteran ectoparasites (Streblidae) on Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838 (Phyllostomidae) in two caves in southeastern Brazil. Parasitol Res 2021; 121:255-265. [PMID: 34837125 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Bats are parasitized by many different arthropods, among which the dipteran families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae are exclusive to bats. Researches that relate the ecology of ectoparasites with their hosts are fundamental for understanding issues related to the interactions between these two groups, in addition to epidemiological aspects of pathogen transmission. The present study evaluated the rate of infestation by dipteran (Streblidae) ectoparasites in two colonies of Anoura geoffroyi associated with caves in the southeastern Brazil. It also evaluated whether parasitological indices differ significantly with regard to host sex and reproductive condition. A total of 1377 bats were captured, of which 84% were parasitized. From these, a total of 5047 streblid bat flies belonging to three species of three genera were collected and identified. The most abundant was Exastinion clovisi (57%), followed by Anastrebla modestini (30%) and Trichobius propinquus (13%). In general, the populations of ectoparasites fluctuated throughout the year, with peaks of abundance during the rainy season. The sex ratios for the species of ectoparasites were close to one, which differs from what is reported in the literature. In addition, there were significant differences in parasitism rates in relation to host sex and reproductive condition. In both populations, ectoparasite infestation of pregnant or lactating females was significantly higher than for non-reproductive females. New studies aimed at assessing whether these higher rates of infestation have any effect on female bat reproduction are needed.
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