Abstract
We studied, simultaneously, postnatal variation in ectoparasite load in neonates, lactating, pregnant and non-pregnant females — in a free-ranging nursing colony of Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus) in Kerend Cave, western Iran. During this survey we monitored 120 (78 ♂♂, 42 ♀♀) neonate bats, as well as 21 pregnant, 42 lactating and 15 non-pregnant females. These individuals yielded a total of 1857 wing mites of the species Spinturnix emarginata. The first 14 days following the birth of pups was found to be associated with a rapid increase in numbers of S. emarginata on the neonates — up to an average (± SE) 21.3 ± 5.34 ectoparasites per individual. This was followed by a sudden reduction in parasite load to a stabilised rate of 5.9 ± 0.98 parasites per individual at the end of the postnatal period. The average ectoparasite load for all neonates over 42 days of the postnatal period was 11.5 ± 0.81. No significant difference was noted as regards average parasite load for neonate males (11.9 ± 1.11) and f...
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