Predictors of the abundance of small mammals' parasitic fleas in households of Western Yunnan Province

Abstract

Objective To analyze the predictors of the abundance of small mammals' parasitic fleas in households of Western Yunnan Province. Methods Eight hundred households of 40 natural villages from 10 counties in Western Yunnan Province were selected as study objects. Five live-traps were placed in each household for 3 continuous nights. The parasitic fleas of small mammals were collected by comb method and identified under a microscope. Potential predictors (including social economy, ecological environment (like building structure), human intervention (like keep a cat), the species of small mammals, the characteristics of small mammals, etc.) of the abundance of parasitic fleas were collected through face to face interview and observation. A data set was established using Epi Data 3.02. The relationship between the abundance of parasitic fleas and the potential predictors was explored using hurdle negative binomial regression model under R software. Results A total of 992 parasitic fleas (including 5 species) were collected from 421 small mammals. The number of Leptopsylla segnis and Xenopsylla cheopis accounted for 91.03% (903/992). The following predictors were confirmed by the hurdle negative binomial regression model: the probability of parasitic fleas in households with brick concrete structure increased by about 1.38 times, while the number of parasitic fleas decreased by 63%; the number of parasitic fleas in cats of households was decreased by 66%; the probability of parasitic fleas in households with captured Rattus tanezumi increased by 172.16 times. Conclusions Xenopsylla cheopis and Leptopsylla segnis are predominant species. The abundance of parasitic fleas is closely related to small mammals' species, surroundings around household and human intervention. Key words: Myomorph; Small mammal parasitic flea; Abundance; Predictors; Household