Ornithodoros yumatensis from the Southeastern Brown Bat (Myotis austroriparius) in Florida

Abstract

biger, 617 p.). Alligator size (length) was poorly correlated with parasite number in that only S. oxycephala was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with a low correlation coefficient of 0.42. Contrasting size and sex, however, the habitat of the alligator significantly affected total number of parasites. When 10 alligators from urban areas were compared to 10 alligators of about equal weight and sex ratio from rural areas, the rural alligators had significantly (chi-square analysis, P < 0.05) more parasites of all four species. Reasons for lessened parasitism in urban alligators are not known, but may include water quality, alternate hosts, or population density of alligators (Cheng, loc. cit.). In spite of e unknown factor(s) influencing umbers of parasites in the two h bitats, th data do suggest that high densi y populations of alligators in more rural, conservation areas are probably carrying a heavier parasite load than measured in this study. Appreciation is acknowledged to the Everglades alligator control agents without whose help this study could not have been accomplished, and to Allen Woodward for encouragement. nate hosts, or populati n density of alligato s (Cheng, loc. cit.). In spite of the unknown factor(s) influencing numbers of parasites in the two hab ta s, the data do suggest that high density populations of alligators in more rural, conserva ion areas are probably carryi g a heavier p rasite load than measured in thi