Distribution of Deer Keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Free-Living Cervids of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, Central Italy, and Establishment of the Allochthonous Ectoparasite Lipoptena fortisetosa.

Annalisa Andreani,Riccardo Bozzi,Antonio Belcari,Patrizia Sacchetti,Maria Paola Ponzetta,Laura Stancampiano

doi:10.3390/ani11102794

Annalisa Andreani, Riccardo Bozzi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102794

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Abstract

Simple SummaryIn recent years, the increased presence of wildlife in habitats close to urban settlements has raised concerns about the risk of pathogen transmission from wild animals to humans due to the spread of different parasites. For this reason, a survey aimed at describing the dispersal and parasitism level of two cervid ectoparasites was carried out in the northern Apennines, in central Italy. The presence of two hippoboscids, the autochthonous Lipoptena cervi and allochthonous L. fortisetosa, native to Eastern Asia and recently recorded in Italy, were assessed on their main host species (red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer), considering host sex and age. The alien species L. fortisetosa was found to be widespread in the study area, most likely competing with L. cervi. Moreover, red deer seemed to be the favored host of both flies, with differences in sex and age class preferences. This study demonstrated the importance of regularly monitoring the populations of these parasites, especially the invasive species, due to the risks to human health, as these insects are potential vectors of pathogens.Lipoptena fortisetosa and L. cervi are hematophagous ectoparasites belonging to the Hippoboscidae family and preferentially living on cervids. In recent years, they have received specific attention due to the great increase in the abundance of their host species, and to their medical and veterinary importance as possible vectors of pathogens harmful to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitism level of both of these flies on their main hosts in Italy, which are red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer, and to highlight a possible preference for a species, sex, or age class among the hosts. Deer keds were collected by examining 326 cervids hunted in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Outcomes showed that L. fortisetosa has greatly spread throughout the study area, where it competes with the autochthonous L. cervi. Moreover, red deer was the favored host species of both ectoparasites, while different preferences for host sex and age classes were observed in the two hippoboscids. The regular monitoring of deer ked populations, especially the allochthonous L. fortisetosa, which is continuously spreading in Europe, is recommended to expand the knowledge on these parasitic species that are potentially dangerous to public health.

Highlights

The aim of this research was to provide an insight into the presence and epidemiology of L. fortisetosa on cervids (Cervus elaphus, Dama dama, and Capreolus capreolus) in some areas of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, central Italy, and any differences in infestation with respect to the native parasite, L. cervi
The morphological analyses of the 23,074 collected flies revealed the presence of two hippoboscid species, identified as L. fortisetosa and L. cervi
18,441 were L. fortisetosa, and 4633 were L. cervi; even though the total highest number of insects was L. fortisetosa, some host animals were more infested with L. cervi

Summary

Introduction

A substantial expansion range of free-living ungulate species has occurred in many European countries [1], including Italy [2,3] and the Tuscany region in the northern Apennines [4], leading to a consequent increase in the abundance of their ectoparasites, which can potentially colonize and adapt to new territories and host species. notable is the spread of allochthonous ungulates and their ectoparasites in new countries, which demonstrates the adaptability of some alien species with the consequent risk of competition with native animals and a compromised ecosystem balance.In this respect, both the hippoboscid Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965 and its original hostCervus nippon (sika deer) have been recently reported in Italy [5,6].Members of the genus Lipoptena (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that permanently live on a restricted range of hosts, especially Cervidae [7,8].These flies attack several species, referred to as “accidental hosts” or “feeding hosts”, that are used as food sources only, but they are able to successfully thrive only on a few mammals, referred to as “definitive hosts” or “breeding hosts”, which have the requisites to guarantee the reproduction and survival of these flies [9,10].Parasites establish a close association with their suitable hosts through morphological and physiological adaptations [11,12]. Notable is the spread of allochthonous ungulates and their ectoparasites in new countries, which demonstrates the adaptability of some alien species with the consequent risk of competition with native animals and a compromised ecosystem balance In this respect, both the hippoboscid Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965 and its original host. Members of the genus Lipoptena (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that permanently live on a restricted range of hosts, especially Cervidae [7,8] These flies attack several species, referred to as “accidental hosts” or “feeding hosts”, that are used as food sources only, but they are able to successfully thrive only on a few mammals, referred to as “definitive hosts” or “breeding hosts”, which have the requisites to guarantee the reproduction and survival of these flies [9,10]. Moving to other specimens is possible, especially from cervid females to their fawns and vice versa, or moving can occur during allogrooming behavior among deer [13]

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