Ectoparasites of Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats with Emphasis on Anatomical Site Preferences forChiroptonyssus robustipes(Acari: Macronyssidae)

Abstract

Seven species of arthropods were recovered from 45 Brazilian free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis (I. Geoffrey), captured from May 1994 to May 1995 from a roost in Jenkins County, GA. Six species of mites were found infesting the bats, representing 5 families: Macronyssidae, Cheyletidae, Sarcoptidae, Rosensteiniidae, and Uropodidae. The macronyssid mite chiroptonyssus robustipes (Ewing) and the hemipteran bat bug, Cimex adjunctus (Barber), were collected from the host and the roost. C. robustipes was the most abundant mite (2,508 specimens) and the macronyssid Steatonyssus ceratognathus (Ewing) (189 specimens) was the 2nd most abundant mite found infesting the bats. The predatory cheyletid mite Cheyletonella vespertilionis Womersley (51 specimens) was also collected from the bats, and this is thought to be the 1st report of this mite from Georgia. In addition, Teinocoptes sp. (Sarcoptidae, 8 specimens), Nycteriglyphus sp. (Rosensteiniidae, 8 specimens), and uropodid mites (5 specimens) were removed from the bats. Of the 45 bats examined, all 30 females and 14 of 15 males were infested with C. robustipes. Twenty-three bat anatomical areas were designated and all C. robustipes mites were counted to ascertain anatomical preference. This mite was significantly more abundant on the ventral wing membrane areas posterior to the radiusulna and on the lower torso. Protonymphs of C. robustipes predominated on the wing membranes of the bats, whereas adult mites were more concentrated on the torso and head.