Abstract

ROJAS, Andrés et al. Ectoparasites of the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) in Costa Rica: parasitism rates and biogeographic trends. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.2, pp.181-187. ISSN 0327-9383.

A descriptive study was carried out to determine the ectoparasitic fauna of the common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) from twelve locations and eight different life zones in Costa Rica. The biogeographic trends of ectoparasites were described using Geographical Information Systems. A total of sixty seven bats were collected using mist nets and submitted for necropsy. Two species of batflies (Diptera: Streblidae) were identified: Trichobius parasiticus (82.14%) and Strebla wiedemanni (4.05%), as well as two species of mites: Radfordiella desmodi (13.57%) (Acarina: Macronyssidae) and Periglischrus herrerai (0.24%) (Acarina: Spinturnicidae). The highest percentages of infestation were given by T. parasiticus (91.04%) and R. desmodi (19.40%), with an intensity of infestation of 5.65 and 4.38 per bat, respectively. T. parasiticus was the species which was most frequently found infesting vampire bats in their natural habitat; it seems to be the ectoparasite with the widest geographic and ecologic distribution. Additionally new geographical distribution for T. parasiticus and S. wiedemanni are proposed. Humidity, altitude, and average environmental temperature could be factors that influenced the biogeography of the ectoparasitic species found. The finding of Radfordiella desmodi and Periglischrus herrerai are the first reports of these mites for Costa Rica.

Keywords : Costa Rica; Ecological patterns; Ectoparasites; Vampire bats.

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