Ectoparasitic flies (Diptera, Streblidae) on bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in a dry tropical forest in the northern Colombia

Adrián Alonso Durán De La Ossa,Gustavo Graciolli,Deivys Moises Álvarez García

doi:10.11606/0031-1049.2017.57.08

Adrián Alonso Durán De La Ossa, Gustavo Graciolli + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.11606/0031-1049.2017.57.08

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Abstract

This work represents the first report of host-parasite associations between flies of the family Streblidae and their host bats in the Colombian Caribbean region. Specimens were collected in a dry tropical forest in the Sucre department. A total of 17 species (eight genera) of Streblidae, as well as 19 species from five bat families were recorded. Strebla mirabilis, Trichobius costalimai, Trichobius parasiticus and Paradyschiria parvuloides were the most abundant ectoparasites. Prevalence of ectoparasites on bat assemblage was 48.57%. In nine bat species, more than one Streblidae species were recorded. Trichobius costalimai had the greatest number of host species. We have found remarkable new associations between Artibeus planirostris and Trichobius costalimai, Lophostoma silvicolum and Strebla mirabilis, as well as Lophostoma silvicolum and Trichobius parasiticus.

Highlights

Streblidae Kolenati, 1863 is a family of bloodsucking flies specialized in ectoparasitism of bats
Streblid flies are distributed in all biogeographic regions, with a greater diversity in the Americas (Guerrero, 1993)
It is divided into five subfamilies: Nycteriboscinae, Ascodipterinae, Trichobiinae, Streblinae, and Nycterophiliinae, the last three being found in the New World and are comprised of 26 genera and 158 species (Dick et al, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Streblidae Kolenati, 1863 is a family of bloodsucking flies specialized in ectoparasitism of bats. Like all Hippoboscoidea, fertilization and embryonic period occur inside females, and three instars larvae develop through nourishment by intrauterine glands. Gravid female flies leave the host, looking for a suitable substrate at the refuge sites and deposit a single 3rd instar larva that is ready to pupate, a phenomenon known as adenotrophic viviparity (Dick & Dittmar, 2014). Streblid flies are distributed in all biogeographic regions, with a greater diversity in the Americas (Guerrero, 1993). It is divided into five subfamilies: Nycteriboscinae, Ascodipterinae, Trichobiinae, Streblinae, and Nycterophiliinae, the last three being found in the New World and are comprised of 26 genera and 158 species (Dick et al, 2016).

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