Mammal fleas (Siphonaptera) of Alaska and Yukon Territory

Abstract

Twenty-five taxa (species and subspecies) of mammal fleas were recorded from 127 collections in Alaska. Twenty-one of the taxa were collected in 58 new localities. Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes pseudagyrtes Baker is new for Alaska, and Microtus xanthognathus is a new host for this flea. Chaetopsylla tuberculaticeps (Bezzi) was collected north of the Brooks Range for the first time, and in southeastern Alaska it was found breeding in a bear den. Five records of fleas from nests of shrews, voles, and tree squirrels are included, but most collections were from 17 species of wild mammals, two commensal rodents, domestic dog and cat, and man. Six records of six taxa of rodent fleas from Yukon Territory were added. Checklists for Alaska and Yukon Territory and distribution maps for 16 taxa are provided.