Host-ectoparasite relationships on bats in Gomantong forest reserve, Sabah, Malaysia

• Main Author: Nurul Najmaini Harun
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: SD Forestry
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/19495/1/Host%20ectoparasite%20relationships%20on%20bats%20in%20Gomantong%20forest%20reserve.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/19495/

The study of host-ectoparasites relationships in bats was conducted in Gomantong Forest Reserve, Sabah on December 2007 and December 2008 focusing on the patterns of ectoparasites distribution in bat hosts. This study examined if morphological characteristics of the host bats influence the levels of parasitism. The bats were captured using mist-nets and were examined for ectoparasite by screening the wing membranes and body. Sex, weight, forearm length, and reproductive stage were recorded for each bat. There were 288 individual bats in the sample that belong to eleven species i.e. Myotis muricola, Hipposideros cervinus, Balionyderis maculata, Rhinolophus arcuatus, Hipposideros diadema, Kerivoula papillosa, Cynopterus brachyotis, Rhinolophus creagh;' Rhinolophus philipinensis, Hipposideros dyacorum, and Cynopterus horsfieldi. The bats hosted 404 individuals of ectoparasites from six families i.e. Streblidae, Nycteribiidae, Spintumicidae, Laelapidae, Psoroptidae, and Ixodidae. Seven individuals (1.7%) of ectoparasites were unidentified, which were even to five mites, a larva and an insect. Three groups of ectoparasites were detected, which were bat flies, mites, and ticks. No lice and fleas had been recorded from this study. Bat flies attributed for the highest infestation as against mites and ticks. The overall prevalence was 50.69 %. The highest infestation rate was seen in Rhinolophus arcuatus i.e. 92.86 % while the most preferable host for many kinds of ectoparasites families was Myotis muricola. There were Significant differences in the infestation rates due to bats speCies, bats sex, bats reproductive stages, body size of bats, and also with emerging-arrival time. The levels of parasitism in bats were not related to parasite species on host, locality, distance from riparian area, canopy cover, or weather conditions. Ectoparasites from the family Nycteribiidae infected most of the host species, whereas the most dominant ectoparasites in terms of individual numbers were ectoparasites from the family Streblidae.