Ectoparasites on small mammals in Iceland: Origin and population characteristics of a species‐poor insular community

Abstract

The Icelandic small mammal fauna is depauperated as is the associated ectoparasite fauna. Three small mammal species occur, viz. Apodemus sylvaticus L., Mus musculus L., and Rattus norvegicus Berk. (R. rattus is probably not a regular member). The mice supposedly came to the island by settlers from the 10th century and onwards. Apodemus and Mus from five localities altogether had seven ectoparasite species, five mites and two fleas. All species occurred on Apodemus whereas Mus was infested by four. Compared with the numbers of ectoparasite species recorded in similar studies in the Nordic countries, there are conspicuously few species in Iceland. Further, Apodemus had an overall higher infestation frequency than Mus (90% and 30%, respectively) and a higher total density of ectoparasites (3.3–20.3 and 0.5 inds/host, respectively). The density figures were high compared with those for mainland Apodemus. Especially the mite Laelaps agilis C. L. Koch and the flea Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (Heller) were common on Icelandic Apodemus. Reduced competition among parasites and/or low predator pressure on small mammals may explain the density figures obtained.The ectoparasite species compositions on small mammals in Scandinavia and Iceland have many features in common that renders it probable that Apodemus originate from Scandinavia.