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Prevalence of ectoparasites in black rat (Rattus rattus) from Mangrove forests of Qeshm Island, Iran

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Abstract

Rodents are mammals of the order Rodentia and can harbor a number of ectoparasites. Ectoparasites can transmit diseases to human and domestic animals in residential and non-residential areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in Rattus rattus from Mangrove forests and villages of Qeshm Island. The rodent samples were collected by live traps during 2013–2014. The gender, genus, and species of captured animals were recorded and ectoparasites were collected by skin surface brushing, and subsequently, samples were identified in a laboratory. Overall, 100 rodents were captured in the present study and three species of ectoparasites were collected as follows: Polyplax spinulosa (66%), Laelaps nuttalli (61%), and Liponyssoides muris (10%). Generally, 80 rodents (80%) were infested with at least one species of ectoparasites. Statistical analysis by the chi-square test did not show any significant relation between gender and ectoparasites (p ˃ 0.05). The results of our study indicate that high infestation of the ectoparasite community associated with the rodents captured from Mangrove forests and villages of Qeshm Island is important in terms of public health.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ms. Tahreh Ghadirian and Ms. Mona Hamzehpur for helping us in collecting the samples.

Funding

This study was funded by the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Eslami

  2. Young Researchers and Elites Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Yousefi

  3. Department of Entomology, Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA

    Ashley P. G. Dowling

Authors
  1. Ali Eslami
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  2. Ali Yousefi
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  3. Ashley P. G. Dowling
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Yousefi.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Eslami, A., Yousefi, A. & Dowling, A.P.G. Prevalence of ectoparasites in black rat (Rattus rattus) from Mangrove forests of Qeshm Island, Iran. Comp Clin Pathol 27, 1583–1586 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-018-2777-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-018-2777-3

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