Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bat Ectoparasites (Acari, Diptera, Hemiptera, Siphonaptera) in the Grand Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia): A Literature Review and New Data

  • Review
  • Published:
Acta Parasitologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Arthropods parasites of bats play a crucial role in both ecological and public health contexts, as they have the potential to transmit zoonotic agents. The study aims to identify the distribution, and host-parasite associations of bat ectoparasites in the Grand Maghreb region (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), which has been largely understudied.

Methods

A thorough analysis of published records was conducted and we included our own field data.

Results

The checklist reveals a total of 43 ectoparasite species, encompassing a range of taxa. The list comprises 9 tick species, 11 mite species (including a chigger-mite), 11 bat fly species, 3 species of bugs, and 9 species of fleas. Extensive research efforts uncovered 141 host-parasite associations. Our data presents several new country records, documenting for the first time the presence of Carios vespertilionis and Raymondia huberi in Tunisia, Ixodes simplex and Spinturnix plecotinus in Algeria.

Conclusion

By compiling and analysing available information, we have provided for the first time an up-to-date checklist of bat ectoparasites and their host associations in the region. This knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiological implications associated with bat ectoparasites, emphasizing their ecological and public health importance. The study's findings call for continued investigations and monitoring of bat ectoparasites to mitigate potential risks and safeguard both human and animal populations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Data is available upon request from the corresponding author.

References

  1. Simmons NB, Cirranello AL (2022) Bat Species of the World: A taxonomic and geographic database. Available from: https://batnames.org/. Accessed 20 Nov 2022

  2. Dietz C, von Helversen O, Dietmar N, Peter HC, Huston AM (2009) Bats of Britain. Europe and Northwest Africa. A & C Black, London

    Google Scholar 

  3. Zachos FE, Wilson DE, Mittermeier RA (2019) Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 9. Bats, 2nd edn, Lynx Edicions. Barcelona, Spain. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-020-00026-w

  4. Turmelle AS, Olival KJ (2009) Correlates of viral richness in bats (order Chiroptera). EcoHealth 6:522–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-009-0263-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Reeves WK, Beck J, Orlova MV et al (2016) Ecology of bats, their ectoparasites, and associated pathogens on Saint Kitts Island. J Med Entomol 53:1218–1225. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjw078

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Skirmuntt EC, Escalera-Zamudio M, Teeling EC, Smith A, Katzourakis A (2020) The potential role of endogenous viral elements in the evolution of bats as reservoirs for zoonotic viruses. Annu Rev Virol 7:103–119. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-virology-092818-015613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sándor AD, Mihalca AD, Domşa C et al (2021) Argasid ticks of Palearctic bats: distribution, host selection, and zoonotic importance. Front Vet Sci 8:684–737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.684737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sándor AD, Földvári M, Krawczyk A et al (2018) Eco-epidemiology of novel Bartonella genotypes from parasitic flies of insectivorous bats. Microb Ecol 76:1076–1088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1195-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Naia M, Brito JC (2021) Ecoregions of the Sahara-Sahel: characteristics and Conservation Status. CIBIO/InBIO. Biodeserts Report, Portugal

  10. Frick WF, Pollock JF, Hicks AC et al (2010) An emerging disease causes regional population collapse of a common North American bat species. Science 329:679–682. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1188594

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Letko M, Seifert SN, Olival KJ, Plowright RK, Munster VJ (2020) Bat-borne virus diversity, spillover, and emergence. Nat Rev Microbiol 18:461–471. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-020-0394-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Rudnick A (1960) A Revision of the Mites of the Family of Spinturnicidae (Acarina). California, Michigan

  13. Dusbábek F (1962) Parasitische Fledermausmilben der Tschechoslowakei I. Fam. Spinturnicidae Oudms., 1901 (Acarina, Gamasides). Čas Česk Spec Entomol 59:357–380

    Google Scholar 

  14. Maa TC (1965) An interim world list of batflies: (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae). J Med Entomol 4:377–386. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/1.4.377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hastriter MW, Bossard RL (2023) Robert E. Lewis World Species Flea (Siphonaptera) List. In: O. Bánki Y, Roskov M, Döring D et al Catalogue of Life Checklist (Version 2023–06–22). https://doi.org/10.48580/dfsr-48fy

  16. Jobling B (1930) A revision of the genus Raymondia Frauenfeld (Diptera pupipara, Streblidae). Parasitol 22:283–301. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003118200001115X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Usinger RL (1960) Monograph of Cimicidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera). Entomological Society of America, Washington D.C.

  18. Estrada-Peña A, Balcells E, Serra-Cobo J (1991) Los artropodos ectoparásitos de murciélagos en España. In: Los Murciélagos de España y Portugal. Benza J, de Paz O edn. Madrid, Spain, pp 330–332.

  19. Morel PC, Mouchet J (1965) Les Tiques du Cameroun (Ixodidae et Argasidae). Ann de Parasitol 40:477–496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Roubaud E, Colas-Belcour J (1933) Argas boueti, nouvelle espèce d’Ixodide parasite des chauves-souris au Soudan français. Parasitol 25:472–476. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182000019685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bendjeddou ML, Loumassine HA, Scheffler I, Bouslama Z, Amr Z (2017) Bat ectoparasites (Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Siphonaptera, Heteroptera, Mesostigmata, Argasidae, and Ixodidae) from Algeria. J Vector Ecol 1:13–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvec.12235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Beaucournu JC, Clerc B (1968) Argas (Secretargas) transgariepinus White, 1846, tique nouvelle pour la France et l’Algérie. Vie Mil 19:233–236

    Google Scholar 

  23. Medard P, Guiguen C, Beaucournu JC (1997) Nouvelles récoltes Argas transgariepinus White, 1846 tique de Chiroptères (Acarina-Ixodoidea-Argasidae) en France et au Maroc. Bull Pathol Ani Sau 17:31–35

    Google Scholar 

  24. Petney TN, Jaenson TGT, Pfäffle MP (2017) Argas vespertilionis (Latreille, 1796). In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 37−40. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_8

  25. Benda P, Spitzenberger F, Hanák V, Andreas M, Reiter A, Ševčík M, Uhrin M (2014) Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Part 11. On the bat fauna of Libya II. Acta Soc Zool Bohem 78:1–162

    Google Scholar 

  26. Nuttall GH, Warburton C, Cooper WF, Robinson LE (1915) A Monograph of the Ixodoidea. Part III. The genus Haemaphysalis. Camb 12:349–550

    Google Scholar 

  27. Anciaux de Faveaux M (1984) The parasites of the African Chiroptera. Annales - Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale - Sciences Zoologiques, Belgium

  28. Nuttall GH (1916) Notes on ticks. IV. Relating to the genus Ixodes and including a description of three new species and two new varieties. Parasit 3:294–337. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182000010623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hadjouti R, Mamouni I (2016) Contribution au répertoire des agents microbiens et à l'inventaire des ectoparasites des chauves-souris de la région nord de la wilaya de Bouira. Dissertation, Universite M'hamed Bougara Boumerdes

  30. Bailly-Choumara H, Morel PC (1974) Sur les tiques du Maroc. Bull Soc Sc Nat Ph Maroc 54:71–80. https://doi.org/10.3406/rhpr.1974.4216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bailly-Choumara H, Morel PC, Rageau J (1976) Sommaire des données actuelles sur les tiques au Maroc. Bull Inst Sci 1:101–117

    Google Scholar 

  32. Colas-Belcour J (1929) Presence de Ornithodoros coniceps en Tunisie. Arch Inst Pasteur Tunis 18:265–267

    Google Scholar 

  33. Estrada-Peña A, Ibañez C, Trujillo D (1990) Nuevas citas de ácaros parásitos de quirópteros en la Península Ibérica, Norte de África e Islas de la Macaronesia. Rev Iber Parasitol 50:91–94

    Google Scholar 

  34. Khelfaoui F, Kebaci A, Benyacoub S (2018) New data on insecta and acarina parasitizing bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in Numidia, Eastern Algeria. Bull Soc Zool Fr 2:63–73

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bendjoudi D, Yedou W, Beneldjouzi A et al (2019) On Bat Ectoparasites (Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Siphonaptera, Mesostigmata and Ixodidae) from Chrea National Park (Central Atlas Mountains), Algeria. Bull Soc Zool Fr 2:67–76

    Google Scholar 

  36. Leulmi H, Aouadi A, Bitam I (2016) Detection of Bartonella tamiae, Coxiella burnetii and rickettsiae in arthropods and tissues from wild and domestic animals in northeastern Algeria. Par Vec 27:6–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1316-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Arthur DR (1956) The Ixodes ticks of Chiroptera (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae). J Parasitol 2:180–196. https://doi.org/10.2307/3274734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Zerguini M, Zizi A (2013) Etude des parasites des Chiroptères au niveau de la grotte d'Aokas, Bejaia. MSc Thesis, Université d'Abderrahmane Mira Bejaia

  39. Neumann LG (1916) Ixodides (acariens). Arch Zool Exp Gén 55:517–527

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hirst S (1916) Notes on Parasitic Acari. J Zool Res 2:59–89

    Google Scholar 

  41. Nuttall GHF, Cooper WF, Warburton C, Robinson LE (1911) Ticks, a monograph of the Ixodoidea. University Press, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  42. Senevet G (1937) Ixodoïdés. Paul Lechevalier et fils, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  43. Hirst S (1922) On some new parasitic mites. Proc Zool Soc 4:769–802. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1921.tb03291.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Till WM, Evans GO (1964) The genus Steatonyssus Kolenati (Acari: Mesostigmata). Bull Br Mus Nat Hist Zool 11:511–582. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.4724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Deunff J (1977) Observations sur les Spinturnicidae de la region palearctique occidentale (Acarina, Mesostigmata) spécifité, répartition et morphologie. Acaro 8:602–617

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kalúz S, Ševčík M (2014) A new species of the genus Grandjeana (Koçak and Kemal, 2009) (Acari: Trombiculidae) from Mauritanian bat with a key to species of the genus. Int J Acarol 1:31–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2013.875063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Amr ZS, Qumsiyeh MB (1993) Records of bats flies from Jordan, Libya and Algeria. Entomol News 104:43–46

    Google Scholar 

  48. Hůrka K (1982) On the insect bat ectoparasites of coastal Libya (Cimicidae, Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Ischnopsyllidae). Věst Česk Zoo 46:85–91

    Google Scholar 

  49. Theodor O (1967) An illustrated catalogue of the Rothschild collection of Nycteribiidae in the British Museum (Natural History), with keys and short descriptions for the identification of subfamilies, genera, species and subspecies. British Museum (Natural History), London

  50. Aellen V (1955) Etude d’une collection de Nycteribiidae et de Streblidae (Diptera: Pupipara) de la région paléarctique occidentale, particulièrement de la Suisse. Bull Soc Neuch Sci Nat 78:81–104

    Google Scholar 

  51. Hůrka K (1984) New taxa and new records of Palearctic Nycteribiidae and Streblidae (Diptera: Pupipara). Věs Česk É Zoo 48:90–101

    Google Scholar 

  52. Vermeil C (1960) Contribution à l’étude des Nycteribiidae et des Streblidae (Diptera, Pupipara) de Tunisie. Ann Parasitol 35:737–743. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/1960355737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Hůrka K (1984) Notes on the taxonomy and distribution of Ischnopsyllidae (Siphonaptera), with description of a new species from Vietnam. Acta entomol Boh 81:204–211

    Google Scholar 

  54. Falcoz L (1923) Biospeologica. Diptera Pupipara, Arch Zoo Exp Gen 49:521–552

    Google Scholar 

  55. Séguy E (1933) Mission Saharienne Augiéras-Draper, 1927–1928. Insect Diptères. Bull Mus Nat His Nat 5:122–127

    Google Scholar 

  56. Anciaux de Faveaux M (1976) Distribution des chiroptères en Algérie, avec notes écologiques et parasitologiques. Bull Soc His Nat Afr Nor 67:69–80

    Google Scholar 

  57. Hufnagl E, Craig-Bennett A, Van Weerd E (1972) Libyan mammals, vol 3. Oleander Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Google Scholar 

  58. Grenier P (1957) Contribution à l'étude des puces de mammifères sauvages de la forêt de Nefifik. Arc Inst Past Mar 5: 206−207.

  59. Beaucournu JC, Kowalski K (1985) Données nouvelles sur les puces (Insecta, Siphonaptera) d’Algérie. Bull Soc Path Exo 78:378–392

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Costa Lima A, Hathaway R (1946) Pulgas: Bibliografia, catalogo e animais por elas sugados. Monograph edn. Oswaldo Cruz

  61. Hopkins GHE, Rothschild M (1952) An Illustrated Catalogue of the Rothschild Collection of Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the British Museum (Natural History) with Keys and Short Descriptions for the Identification of Families, Genera, Species and Subspecies. Vol. I. Tungidae and Pulicidae. British Museum (Natural History), London

  62. Hastriter MW, Tipton VJ (1975) Fleas (Siphonaptera) associated with small mammals of Morocco. J Egy Pub Heal Ass 50:79–169

    Google Scholar 

  63. Beaucournu JC (1982) Les Siphonaptères et leurs hôtes: rapports phylétiques, convergences et déviations. Mem Mus Nat His Nat Zoo 6:203–208

    Google Scholar 

  64. Beaucoumu JC, Launay H (1990) Les puces de France et du Bassin méditerranéen occidental. Fédération française des Sociétés de Sciences naturelles, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  65. Jordan K, Rothschild C (1912) On Siphonaptera collected in Algeria. Novi Zoo 2:357–372. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.1553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Beaucournu JC, Kock D (1996) Notes on the Ischnopsyllinae of the African continent, III. Additions to the distribution of species (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae). Sencken bio 75:163–169

    Google Scholar 

  67. Quetglas J, Nogueras J, Ibáñez C, Beaucournu JC (2014) Presencia en la Península Ibérica de una pulga africana de murciélagos: Rhinolophopsylla unipectinata arabs (Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllidae) y otras nuevas citas de pulgas de murciélagos para España y Marruecos. Gal 26:41–47. https://doi.org/10.7325/Galemys.2014.A4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Hoogstraal H (1958) Bat ticks of the genus Argas (Ixodoidea, Argasidae), 3. The subgenus Carios, a redescription of A. vespertilionis (Latreille, 1802), and variation within an Egyptian population. Ann Entomol Soc Am 51:541–587. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/51.1.19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Hoogstraal H (1985) Argasid and nuttallielid ticks as parasites and vectors. Adv Parasitol 24:136–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-308X(08)60563-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Petney TN, Pfäffle MP, Estrada-Peña A (2017) Argas transgariepinus White, 1846. In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 33−36. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_9

  71. Hoogstraal H, Clifford CM, Keirans JE, Kaiser MN, Evans DE (1976) The Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) capensis group (Acarina: Ixodoidea: Argasidae) of the palearctic and oriental regions. O. (A.) maritimus: identity, marine bird hosts, virus infections, and distribution in Western Europe and Northwestern Africa. J Parasitol 62:799–810. https://doi.org/10.2307/327896

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Kleinerman G, Baneth G (2017) Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) coniceps (Canestrini, 1890). In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 51–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_12

  73. Estrada-Peña A, Kleinerman G, Baneth G (2017) Genus Ornithodoros Koch, 1844. In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 41–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_10

  74. Sándor AD, Corduneanu A, Péter A et al (2019) Bats and ticks: Host selection and seasonality of bat-specialist ticks in Eastern Europe. Par Vec 12:605–612. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3861-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Hornok S (2017) Ixodes simplex Neumann, 1906. In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 103−107. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_21

  76. Bush SE, Robbins RG (2012) New host and locality records for Ixodes simplex Neumann and Ixodes vespertilionis Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) from bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) in southern China. Int J Acarol 38:1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2011.569509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D (2017) Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (Latreille, 1806) In: Ticks of Europe and North Africa, 1st edn. Springer, Cham, pp 323−327. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63760-0_62

  78. Mechouk N, Mihalca AD, Deak G, Bouslama Z (2022) Synopsis of the ticks of Algeria with new hosts and localities records. Par Vect 15:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05424-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Orlova MV, Laverty TM, Reeves WK et al (2020) The first finding of parasitic mite, Parasteatonyssus nyctinomi (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Macronyssidae), in Namibia. J South Afr Vet Ass 91:1–3. https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v91i0.2002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Stanyukovich MK (1997) Keys to the gamasid mites (Acari, Parasitiformes, Mesostigmata, Macronyssoidea et Laelaptoidea) parasitizing bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from Russia and adjacent countries. Rud Nat Sch 7:13–46

    Google Scholar 

  81. Lanza B (1999) I parassiti dei pipistrelli (Mammalia, Chiroptera) della fauna italiana. Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Monografie, Torino

  82. Krištofík J, Danko Š (2012) Arthropod ectoparasites (Acarina, Heteroptera, Diptera, Siphonaptera) of bats in Slovakia. Ves 16:167–189

    Google Scholar 

  83. Imaz E, Aihartza JR, Totorika MJ (1999) Ectoparasites on bats (Gamasida, Ixodida, Diptera) in Biscay (Iberian Peninsula). Misc Zoo 22:21–30

    Google Scholar 

  84. Beron P (2020) Acarorum Catalogus VI. Order Mesostigmata. Gamasina: Dermanyssoidea (Rhinonyssidae, Spinturnicidae). National Museum of Natural History, Sofia https://doi.org/10.3897/ab.e54206

  85. Orlova MV, Klimov PB, Orlov OL et al (2021) A checklist of bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) of Russia, with new host and geographical records. Zoo 3:537–564. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4974.3.4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Theodor O, Moscona A (1954) On bat parasites in Palestine. I. Nycteribiidae, Streblidae, Hemiptera. Siphonaptera Parasitol 44:157–245. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182000018862

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Szentiványi T, Estók P, Földvári M (2016) Checklist of host associations of European bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae, Streblidae). Zoo 2:101–126. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4205.2.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Péter A, Mihalca AD, Sándor AD (2022) Annotated checklist of the bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) of Romania. Zoo 1:111–127. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5120.1.7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Ševčík M, Benda P, Lucan RK (2013) Diptera Pupipara from bats of two large eastern Mediterranean islands, Crete and Cyprus. Tur J Zoo 1:31–37. https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1112-20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Hůrka K (1964) Distribution, bionomy and ecology of the European bat flies with special regard to the Czechoslovak fauna (Diptera, Nycteribidae). Acta Univer Caro 4:167–231

    Google Scholar 

  91. Bruyndonckx N, Dubey S, Ruedi M, Christe P (2009) Molecular cophylogenetic relationships between European bats and their ectoparasitic mites (Acari, Spinturnicidae). Mol Phyl Evol 2:227–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.02.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Hůrka K (1962) Beitrag zur Nycteribien-und Streblidenfauna Albaniens nebst Bemerkungen zur Fauna von Bulgarien, Ungarn und UdSSR. Entomol 59:156–164

    Google Scholar 

  93. Shapiro T, Barbier E, Monadjem A (2016) First record of Streblidae, Raymondia alulata Speiser, 1908 (Diptera: Streblidae), in Swaziland and a review of the genus Raymondia and their hosts in Africa. Acta Chiro 18:249–268. https://doi.org/10.3161/15081109ACC2016.18.1.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Balvín O, Bartonička T, Simov N, Paunović M, Vilímová J (2014) Distribution and host relations of species of the genus Cimex on bats in Europe. Fol Zoo 63:281–289. https://doi.org/10.25225/fozo.v63.i4.a7.2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Quetglas J, Balvín O, Lučan RK, Benda P (2012) First records of the bat bug Cacodmus vicinus (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) from Europe and further data on its distribution. Vesper 16:243–248

    Google Scholar 

  96. Lewis RE (1962) A preliminary list of the fleas of Lebanon. Proc R Entomol Soc Lond Ser A Gen Entomol 37:49–60. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1962.tb00287.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  97. Hopkins GHE, Rothschild M (1956) An Illustrated Catalogue of the Rothschild Collection of Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the British Museum (Natural History). With keys and short descriptions for the identification of families, genera, species, and subspecies of the order. Vol. II, Coptopsyllidae, Vermipsyllidae, Stephanocircidae, Macropsyllidae, Ischnopsyllidae, Hypsophthalmidae and Xiphiopsyllidae. British Museum (Natural History), London

  98. Jordan K (1942) On four new Paleartic bat-fleas in the British Museum collection. Acta Soc Zoo Boh 61:243–250

    Google Scholar 

  99. Hůrka K (1997) New data on taxonomy and distribution of Palaearctic, Oriental and Neotropical Ischnopsyllidae (Siphonaptera), Nycteribiidae and Streblidae (Diptera). Acta Soc Zoo Boh 61:23–33

    Google Scholar 

  100. Hůrka K (1963) Bat fleas (Aphaniptera, Ischnopsyllidae) of Czechoslovakia. II. Subgenus Hexactenopsylla Oud., Genus Rhinolophopsylla Oud., Subgenus Nycteridopsylla Oud. Dinycteridopsylla Ioff Acta Univ Carol 2:1–73

    Google Scholar 

  101. Zajkowska P, Moniuszko H, Mąkol J (2018) Host-parasite associations between bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and chiggers (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) -a review and checklist. Ann Zool Fen 68:97–178. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2018.68.1.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  102. Aukema B, Rieger C, Rabitsch W (2013) Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic Region, vol 6. Supplement. Netherlands Entomological Society, Ponsen and Looijen, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  103. Graciolli G, Claudio JB, de Carvalho J (2012) Do fly parasites of bats and their hosts coevolve? Speciation in Trichobius phyllostomae group (Diptera, Streblidae) and their hosts (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) suggests that they do not. Rev Bras Entomol 56:436–450. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0085-56262012000400007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  104. Bendjeddou ML, Bouam I, Aulagnier S et al (2022) First record of the lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros (Borkhausen, 1797), in Libya and potential distribution in North Africa. Mammalia 86:328–332. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2021-0130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Van Cakenberghe V, Seamark ECJ (2022) African Chiroptera. African Bats, Pretoria. https://doi.org/10.3161/00034541ANZ2018.68.1.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mohamed Rayan Guinoune for his assistance in the field, we also thank Ingo Scheffler, and the World Bat library—Geneva (http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/) for facilitating access to older literature.

Funding

MLB was supported by the Romanian governmental scholarship E1-1/687. While working for this study, ADS was funded by Project no. TKP2020-NKA-01 implemented with the support provided from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary, financed under the “Tématerületi Kiválósági Program 2020” (2020-4.1.1-TKP2020) funding scheme, and also supported by OTKA K-132794 of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3–5, 300472, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou, Noureddine Mechouk, Andrei Daniel Mihalca & Attila D. Sándor

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Badji Mokhtar, B.P.12, 23000, Annaba, Algeria

    Farouk Khelfaoui

  3. Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Campus Universitaire, El Manar II, 1092, Tunis, Tunisia

    Awatef Abiadh

  4. Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary

    Attila D. Sándor

  5. HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary

    Attila D. Sándor

Authors
  1. Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Farouk Khelfaoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Awatef Abiadh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Noureddine Mechouk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Andrei Daniel Mihalca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Attila D. Sándor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualisation: MLB and ADS, fieldwork: MLB, FK, AA, and NM, morphological identification of bats: MLB and AA, morphological identification of parasites: MLB, FK and ADS, writing of the first draft of the manuscript: MLB, data curation: MLB and ADS, data analysis and map design: MLB, review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: SA and ADM. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The funders had no role in the design of the study, in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Ethical Approval

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

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bendjeddou, M.L., Khelfaoui, F., Abiadh, A. et al. Bat Ectoparasites (Acari, Diptera, Hemiptera, Siphonaptera) in the Grand Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia): A Literature Review and New Data. Acta Parasit. 69, 106–120 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00732-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00732-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation