Prevalence and intensity of fleas parasitizing an isolated population of screaming hairy armadillo in Buenos Aires province, Argentina: host-related factors and temporal dynamics.

Abstract

Fleas (Siphonaptera) of an isolated population of Chaetophractus vellerosus (Mammalia: Xenarthra) from Magdalena (Buenos Aires province) were studied, and their presence was associated with host-related factors (age, sex, weight, size, and physical condition) and temporal dynamics (seasonality and year). Three species of fleas were identified: Polygenis (Polygenis) platensis (Rhopalopsyllidae), Tunga penetrans (Tungidae), and Pulex irritans (Pulicidae). Prevalences were significant for year, season, and physical condition. Intensities were significantly different for year, physical condition, and weight. The intensities of fleas were higher in 2009 than in other years, probably because of lower rainfall than the annual average leading to extremely dry climatic conditions in 2008. Intensities decreased in individuals with major body weight and increased in individuals with poor physical condition. In this study, the dynamics of the flea community associated with an armadillo population is analyzed for the first time taking into account host-related factors and temporal dynamics, and also how these factors influence the community.