Ectoparasites of small mammals in four localities of wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia

• Main Authors: Madinah, A., Fatimah, Abang, Mariana, A.., M.T, Abdullah
• Format: E-Article
• Language: English
• Published: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2011
• Subjects: QL Zoology; SF Animal culture
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/1171/1/Interaction%20of%20Ectoparasites-small%20Mammals%20in%20Tropical%20Rainforest%20of%20Malaysia.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/1171/

Field surveys of ectoparasites on rodents and scandents were conducted in four localities of wildlife reserves in Peninsular Malaysia from October 2008 to November 2009. A total of 16 animals comprising 5 species of hosts were caught and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined were Maxomys rajah,Maxomys whiteheadi, Leopoldamys sabanus, Lariscus insignis and Tupaia glis. Of these hosts, 9 genera, consisting of 14 species of ectoparasites were extracted. Three species of ticks (Ixodidae), 7 species of mesostigmatid mites (Laelaptidae), 3 species of chiggers (Trombiculidae) and 1 species of listrophorid mites (Listrophoriidae) were identified. The infestation rate of ectoparasites observed ranged from 12.5% to 62.5%. Among the ectoparasites found, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known medical importance.