Abstract
BackgroundThe endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, particularly South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of significant medical importance. Considering the diversity and wide distribution of African mole-rats in South Africa, many of these bathyergids could act as carriers of zoonoses.MethodsThe present study assessed the ectoparasite community of the Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali). We aimed to identify possible parasitic arthropods that may infest this mole-rat species and explore host preference, contributions of seasonality, host sex and body mass as well as social class and colony size on ectoparasite assemblage prevalence and abundance.ResultsA limited number of ectoparasite species were found on C. h. mahali belonging to two significant taxa: mites (Acari) and fleas, with mites being the most prevalent and abundant. We recorded the presence of X. philoxera, a flea well known as the principal reservoir of plague in the southern African region on the Mahali mole-rats. Only three mite species were collected: Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis and Laelaps liberiensis. Seasonal peaks in prevalence and abundance of X. philoxera and A. scapularis were observed during summer. Xenopsylla philoxera abundance and A. scapularis loads significantly increased on reproductive mole-rat individuals in comparison to non-reproductive individuals.ConclusionDespite the wide distribution of the subterranean African mole-rats, studies investigating their parasitic fauna remain limited and scarce. This dearth in knowledge raises the concern regarding their potential role as an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling of their ectoparasitic community throughout their distributional range and research addressing their role as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa are urgently needed.
Highlights
The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of significant medical importance
Seasonal patterns can be linked to the parasite life-cycle and how, or to what degree, changes in temperature, rainfall and humidity may affect and/or determine the duration of the developmental stages in these parasites, as well as the periods, spent off-host by a particular ectoparasite [5,6,7]
The ectoparasites collected belonged to two major taxa, fleas and mites, with the androlaelapid mites being the most prevalent and abundant ectoparasites (Table 2)
Summary
The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of significant medical importance. Fagir et al Parasites Vectors (2021) 14:24 result from a number of these factors (i.e. abiotic and biotic) that are not always mutually exclusive, and their contributions may be difficult to disentangle [2, 4]. The immunosuppressive properties of testosterone, associated with breeding, could be a contributing factor to higher male infestation [9,10,11,12]. Another host-related factor affecting parasite burdens is linked to the degree of sociality [13]. Further research is required to disentangle the abiotic and biotic factors affecting differences in parasite burdens; this is true in social mammalian species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
