Ectoparasite Species Research Articles

Insights into gut microbiota communities of Poecilobdella manillensis, a prevalent Asian medicinal leech.

Medicinal leeches (Annelida: Hirudinea) are fresh water ectoparasitic species which have been applied as traditional therapy. However, gut microbiota could bring high risks of opportunistic infections after leeching and arouses great interests. Here, gut bacterial and fungal communities of an Asian prevalent leech Poecilobdella manillensis were characterized and analysed through culture-independent sequencing. With high coverage in 18 samples (>0.999), a more complicated community was apparent after comparing with previous leech studies. A total of 779/939 OTUs of bacteria and fungi were detected from leech guts. The bacterial community was dominated by the phylum Bacteroidetes and Synergistetes. Genera Mucinivorans and Fretibacterium accounted mostly at the genus level, and genus Aeromonas showed an extremely low abundance (2.02%) on average. The fungal community was dominated by the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. At the genus level, the dominant OTUs included Mortierella, Geminibasidium and Fusarium. The analysis of core taxa included those above dominant genera and some low-abundance genera (>1%). The functional annotation of the bacterial community showed a close correlation with metabolism (34.8±0.6%). Some fungal species were predicted as opportunistic human pathogens including Fusarium and Chaetomiaceae. The present study provides fundamental rationales for further studies of such issues as bacteria-fungi-host interactions, host fitness, potential pathogens, and infecting risks after leeching. It shall facilitate in-depth explorations on the safe utilization of leech therapy. Present paper is the first-ever exploration on microbiota of a prevalent Asian medicinal leech based on culture-independent technical. And it is also the first report of gut fungi community of medicinal leech. The diversity and composition of bacteria in P. manillensis was far different from that of the European leech. The main components and core OTUs indicate a particular gut environment of medicinal leech. Unknown bacterial and fungal species were also recovered from leech gut.

Network Structure of Bat-Ectoparasitic Interactions in Tropical Dry Forests at Two Different Regions in Brazil

Network analysis has been used for understanding complex systems in biology for decades. However, scant information is available for networks of antagonistic interactions. The aim of this study was to describe and compare bat-ectoparasite interaction networks in tropical dry forests (TFDs) in the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, which have contrasting environmental conditions and surrounding matrix. Bats and ectoparasites were sampled at six sites in northern and central Minas Gerais State, southeast Brazil. Network connectance, nestedness and number of compartments were compared between regions, as well as bat species richness, abundance and centrality, and ectoparasite specialization. The effect of bat phylogenetic relatedness on the similarity of their associated ectoparasite species was also tested. Bat-ectoparasite networks were nested, connected and highly compartmentalized in TDFs from both regions, with no significant differences in network structure. In addition, host species richness negatively influenced nestedness and connectance, but was positively related to compartment number. These findings are likely related to the high specialization observed for bat-fly species (usually one exclusive parasite species per host), resulting in networks with few interactions. Bat abundance positively affected bat-fly richness, indicating that resource availability is important in determining host-parasite relationships. Finally, phylogenetically related species of bats possessed more similar ectoparasite faunas, which may be associated with evolutionary responses of ectoparasites to escape defensive mechanisms of different bat species. Our results suggest that local bat-ectoparasite interactions are influenced by both ecological factors and evolutionary constraints, but the effects of environmental conditions on network topology deserved further detailed studies.

First report of Babesia bigemina in Lama glama in a zoological garden of Veracruz, Mexico

Zoological gardens represent specialised centres for the preservation of biological inventories and genetic diversity, allowing the recognition of multiple species in critical conservation categories. However, the close coexistence of multiple species of vertebrates that may be associated with various species of ectoparasites may be the cause of the transmission of multiple infectious agents, among which tick-borne pathogens stand out. In these areas, several animal species usually live in a small space and proximity to other wildlife, visitors and keepers. In Mexico, little is known about the disease agents transmitted by arthropods in zoological gardens. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the presence of Babesia/Theileria in animals maintained in captivity. As a part of a project identifying vector-borne pathogens in wildlife, 24 animals were sampled in the Miguel Angel de Quevedo zoo. Molecular identification of Babesia/Theileria was realised through amplification of a fragment of the mitochondrial cytB gene and the ribosomal 18S-rDNA. Two neotropical camelids (Lama glama) tested positive (2/3=66.6%) to Babesia bigemina. Our results represent the first record of B. bigemina in animals in captivity in a zoological garden in Mexico and the first finding of this haemoparasite in neotropical camelids in Mexico.

Cleaner fish are potential super-spreaders.

Cleaning symbiosis is critical for maintaining healthy biological communities in tropical marine ecosystems. However, potential negative impacts of mutualism, such as the transmission of pathogens and parasites during cleaning interactions, have rarely been evaluated. Here, we investigated whether the dedicated bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, is susceptible to and can transmit generalist ectoparasites between client fish. In laboratory experiments, L. dimidiatus were exposed to infective stages of three generalist ectoparasite species with contrasting life histories. Labroides dimidiatus were susceptible to infection by the gnathiid isopod Gnathia aureamaculosa, but were significantly less susceptible to the ciliate protozoan Cryptocaryon irritans and the monogenean flatworm Neobenedenia girellae, compared with control host species (Coris batuensis or Lates calcarifer). The potential for parasite transmission from a client fish to the cleaner fish was simulated using experimentally transplanted mobile adult (i.e. egg-producing) monogenean flatworms on L. dimidiatus. Parasites remained attached to cleaners for an average of 2days, during which parasite egg production continued, but was reduced compared with that on control fish. Over this timespan, a wild cleaner may engage in several thousand cleaning interactions, providing numerous opportunities for mobile parasites to exploit cleaners as vectors. Our study provides the first experimental evidence that L. dimidiatus exhibits resistance to infective stages of some parasites yet has the potential to temporarily transport adult parasites. We propose that some parasites that evade being eaten by cleaner fish could exploit cleaning interactions as a mechanism for transmission and spread.

Identification of Ectoparasitic Bats in Buwun Cave

Bats (Ordo Chiroptera) are one of the animals that have an important role in the sustainability of the ecosystem such as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest control and guano producers. In addition to their important role, bats are also animals (hosts) for several types of ectoparasites. Ectoparasites are parasitic organisms that live on the surface of the host's body. Generally, suck blood and live on the host’s hair, feathers, or skin. The research was conducted in Buwun Cave Prabu Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency West Nusatenggara. Data collection on ectoparasites in bats was done manually with tweezers and a comb. Furthermore, samples of ectoparasites were identified based on sources of morphological evidence and referred to various references. The results showed that there were 3 species of bats identified, each consisting of 7 species of Eonycteris spelaea, 6 species of Rhinolopus simplex, and 3 Hipposideros diadema. Based on the results of the examination of the three bat species, there were 47 individual ectoparasites, which were identified in 3 species of ectoparasites, namely Cyclopodia horsfieldii, Amblyomma sp, and Meristapsis sp.

A preliminary survey of ectoparasites in Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal

A preliminary faunistic study was conducted explored the ectoparasites of animals in the Neora Valley National Park (NVNP), West Bengal, India. Many ectoparasites were observed on the bodies of domestic animals that graze on a regular basis in the national park. Major ones found include-Bovicola bovis (Linnaeus, 1758), Ixodes granulatus Supino 1897, and Dermacentor auratus Supino 1897, with B. bovis perhaps being reported for the first time in NVNP and India. The study also found that domestic animals and humans in NVNP are exposed to different ectoparasite species of medical and veterinary importance.

Some features of small mammalian’s ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

The paper deals with some features of small mammalians ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. It has been shown that on rodents and insectivores in the mixed forests and in the ecotone community from forest to agrocoenosis typical ectoparasite communities are observed. Only rare species demonstrate specificity in the choice of hosts. Two species of rodents Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis, being typically forest species, are characterized by the highest biodiversity of ectoparasites and high rates of their abundance. The presence of the same species of ectoparasites on the different species of small mammals indicates possible contacts between rodents and insectivores in the ecosystem and exchange of parasites. Using the method of principal components (PCA), the factors influencing parasite community have been identified. It has been shown that out of 10 factors influencing the small mammalian ectoparasites community, 5 are the most significant. Many factors influence the communities of ectoparasites of small mammals. The degree of that effect depends on different mammalian and mites biology. Factors regulate the number of parasite populations, and as a result, stable communities functioning for a long time are formed. Parasites, not showing specificity in the choice of hosts during interspecific contacts of animals in biocoenoses, spread from forest habitats to neighboring territories.

Parasite Community Analysis of The Gray Snapper Lutjanus Griseus (Perciformes,Lutjanidae) in a Tropical Region of The Southern Gulf of Mexico.

SummaryThe gray snapper Lutjanus griseus is a commercially important fish species along its distribution range in the western Atlantic Ocean. However, despite its importance, there is still little knowledge about its parasitic fauna for the Mexican coasts of the Gulf of Mexico. The aims of this research were to generate a list of the parasitic fauna present in juvenile gray snapper L. griseus from a coastal lagoon located in southeastern Mexico, to evaluate the infection levels of parasites and to determine the relationship between the abundance of parasites and the fish size and condition factor. Samples of L. griseus (12 – 29.2 mm) were obtained in two periods of the year (dry and rainy seasons) to examine the intra-annual variability of its parasitic fauna. A total of 17 parasite species were recorded belonging to six taxonomic groups (Myxozoa, Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda, Nematoda and Acanthocephala). The highest levels of infection (abundance, prevalence and intensity of infection) were found for the monogeneans Euryhaliotrema griseus and Euryhaliotrema fastigatum. There were no significant correlations between the total abundance of parasites and the fish condition and size (total length) in not any of the two seasons studied, suggesting that the body size and the biological condition index of the host did not directly influence the abundance of parasites in early life stages of L. griseus. Moreover, the species of parasites found that could be zoonotic for humans through the consumption of raw or inadequately cooked fish were the nematodes Contracaecum sp. type 1, Contracaecum sp. type 2, Cucullanus pargi and Pseudoterranova sp. The presence of the monogeneans E. griseus and E. fastigatum was also highlighted because these ectoparasite species are known to cause harm to fish under culture systems. All the parasite species found in this study, except nematodes, were new records of geographic distribution.

Morphometry Identification of Lice on Male Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus)

A rehabilitation center for Javan Lutung animals in East Java carries out routine checks on rehabilitated animals to prevent diseases that can affect health. Diseases that can infect these endangered animals are not only diseases that are inside the body but also outside the body such as lice infestation. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of louse that attack Javan langurs in an effort to increase information on ectoparasite species in these endemic animals. The sample was obtained from an adult Javan langur, then the sample was preserved by the unstained Slide mounting method. The results were observed using a microscope and body length was measured using the ImageJ software. The results showed that the ectoparasite shape has a flat-dorsoventral body with a total body length of 1.65 mm. From morphometry and morphological characteristics, the samples identified were the male species of Pedicinus ancoratus.

Six First Reports of Pin Nematodes from Portugal, with an Update of the Systematics, Genetic Diversity, and Phylogeny of the Genus Paratylenchus (Nematoda: Tylenchulidae)

Pin nematodes (Paratylenchus spp.) currently comprise 132 species of polyphagous plant ectoparasites with at least seven species that are plant pathogenic emphasizing the need for correct identification to establish an appropriate management strategy. Sequences of highly conserved regions of ribosomal and mitochondrial RNA genes are a powerful species-level diagnostic tool within Tylenchulidae. A nematological survey was conducted from 2019 to 2021 in commercial vineyards distributed in four major wine-producing regions in the Central and South Portugal. Nine populations of Paratylenchus spp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of grapevines that were characterized from morphological data and molecular phylogenetic analysis using two rRNA genes (D2–D3 expansion segments of the 28S, and partial 18S) and a region partial of the COI mtRNA gene. Contrasting morphological hypotheses with molecular data provided rapid detection of six species, specifically P. goodeyi, P. hamatus, P. pedrami, P. tenicaudatus, P. variabilis, and P. veruculatus. Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees for these molecular markers established phylogenetic relationships underscore the importance of using genomic and molecular phylogenetic data for accurate pin nematode identification at the species level. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Paratylenchus spp. in Portugal, extending the geographical distribution of these species in the Mediterranean Basin, and the first record of P. goodeyi, P. pedrami, P.variabilis, P. veruculatus and P. tenicaudatus parasitizing grapevine.

First record of family Otopheidomenidae Treat (Acari: Mesostigmata) in Central Asia, with description of a new species of Nabiseius Chant and Lindquist

We present the first record of Otopheidomenidae Treat in Central Asia on the basis of a new ectoparasitic species, Nabiseius palifer Joharchi and Khaustov n. sp., collected on damsel bug, Nabis palifer Seidenstücker (Hemiptera: Nabidae), from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult female and immature stages (including larva and deutonymphal stages) and compared with closely related species.

A Survey of the Ectoparasites Found on Wild Birds in Northwest Turkey

Background: Turkey is home to various resident and migratory wild bird species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ectoparasites found on 188 injured or rescued resident and migratory wild birds from Bursa and surroundings between 2015 and 2019. Methods: Sampled birds were examined for different ectoparasites and all of the collected parasites were placed into tubes containing 70% ethyl alcohol. After mounting onto slides or fixing onto a plate, each parasite was identified to species using a light or stereo microscope. Result: Results revealed that 88 (46.8%) of the examined wild birds were infested with one or two of 3 different species of ectoparasites. The species identified were 38 lice, three ticks and two flies. The lice were highly prevalent (40.4%) species than the flies (2.1%) and ticks (2.1%). The results also first geographically documented the lice and ked fly species as follows, with additional new host records: Fulicoffula gallinula and Pseudomenapon pilosum in the common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus); Ciconiphilus decimfasciatus in the grey heron (Ardea cinerea); Saemundssonia clayae in the Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola); Ardeicola ixobrychae in the common little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) and the ked fly as Ornithophila metallica in the Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) in Turkey. The study results provided valuable data on the ectoparasites living on migratory and resident bird species during their migration throughout northwest Turkey. Further research on the related pathogens that these ectoparasites harbor is in need.

Patterns of deer ked (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) and tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) infestation on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the eastern United States

BackgroundWhite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) host numerous ectoparasitic species in the eastern USA, most notably various species of ticks and two species of deer keds. Several pathogens transmitted by ticks to humans and other animal hosts have also been found in deer keds. Little is known about the acquisition and potential for transmission of these pathogens by deer keds; however, tick-deer ked co-feeding transmission is one possible scenario. On-host localization of ticks and deer keds on white-tailed deer was evaluated across several geographical regions of the eastern US to define tick-deer ked spatial relationships on host deer, which may impact the vector-borne disease ecology of these ectoparasites.MethodsTicks and deer keds were collected from hunter-harvested white-tailed deer from six states in the eastern US. Each deer was divided into three body sections, and each section was checked for 4 person-minutes. Differences in ectoparasite counts across body sections and/or states were evaluated using a Bayesian generalized mixed model.ResultsA total of 168 white-tailed deer were inspected for ticks and deer keds across the study sites. Ticks (n = 1636) were collected from all surveyed states, with Ixodes scapularis (n = 1427) being the predominant species. Counts of I. scapularis from the head and front sections were greater than from the rear section. Neotropical deer keds (Lipoptena mazamae) from Alabama and Tennessee (n = 247) were more often found on the rear body section. European deer keds from Pennsylvania (all Lipoptena cervi, n = 314) were found on all body sections of deer.ConclusionsThe distributions of ticks and deer keds on white-tailed deer were significantly different from each other, providing the first evidence of possible on-host niche partitioning of ticks and two geographically distinct deer ked species (L. cervi in the northeast and L. mazamae in the southeast). These differences in spatial distributions may have implications for acquisition and/or transmission of vector-borne pathogens and therefore warrant further study over a wider geographic range and longer time frame.Graphical

Prevalence of Ectoparasites Infesting Local Chickens in Selected Sub-Urban Communities around Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria

A study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of ectoparasites infesting local chickens in five sub-urban communities namely Babbar Ruga, Barhim, Kambarawa, Modoji and Morawa, around Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria. Physical examination to search for ectoparasites on both skin and feathers was performed and ectoparasite species were identified. The prevalence was observed to be higher in Modoji and Kambarawa than that of the other three communities. This study revealed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence of ectoparasites infesting local chickens among the five communities. Out of the mean number of 300 chickens examined, 73.66 (24.55%) harboured ectoparasites. Also, 8.78% of male chickens were infested by ectoparasites which was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from that of their female counterparts (10.78%). Local chickens within the age group of 11 and above had the highest (8.33%) infestation, while those within the age group of 0-5 had the least (3.00%). Findings of this study also showed the prevalent rate of ticks and mites as 19.44 and 5.11%, respectively. Among the ectoparasite species identified, Argas persicus had the highest prevalence (19.44%) followed by Dermanyssus gallinae (3.11%) and Ornithonyssus syviarum (2.00%). There is need for more investigations on ectoparasites infesting local chickens in other parts of Katsina State, Nigeria.

Prevalence of ectoparasites in pet animals in Palpa, Nepal.

Pet animals (dog, cat and rabbit) are kept for pleasure, enjoyment and companionship instead of their utility. They harbor many ectoparasites (tick, flea, mite) which have public health significance in developing countries. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites on pet animals of Tansen Municipality of Palpa, Nepal. A total of 134 pet animals (cats, dogs and rabbits) were screened for ectoparasites, and semi-structured questionnaire were asked to get information regarding management practices (knowledge, attitude and practice of ectoparasite infestation) by owner. The ectoparasites were collected by hand picking and preserved in labelled vials containing 70% ethanol. A total of ninety-two (68.7%) pet animals were found to be infested with one or more ectoparasites. Among the pet animals examined, 73.9% (65/88), 58.3% (21/36) and 60% (6/10) were dogs, cats and rabbits respectively were found infected with ectoparasites. Four ectoparasite species were detected, of which one was tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), two were fleas (Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis) and, one was louse (Linognathus setosus). Comparison of overall prevalence of ectoparasites among pet animals indicated that dogs were more susceptible to ectoparasite infestation. Only few of the respondents knew about the ectoparasites and diseases caused by them. The present study determined that high prevalence of parasites, and the low level of public awareness is the fundamental reason behind pet related zoonotic disease. Extensive public education about pet related zoonoses is needed to create awareness in public and to reduce the risk of harboring zoonotic diseases of public health importance.

A report of ectoparasites on cave nectar bat (Eonycteris spelaea) among cave-dwelling in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Studies were conducted from March to August 2021 in 4 caves located in Lombok Island (Gunung Tunak cave, Gale-Gale cave, Buwun cave, and Tanjung Ringgit cave). Eonycteris spelaea was infested with 7 species of ectoparasites consisting of 4 species from the class Insecta (Diptera: Eucampsipoda sundaica and Cyclopodia horsfieldii, and Siphonaptera: Ischnopsyllus hexactenus and Thaumapsylla breviceps), and 3 species from the class Arachnida (Amblyomma sp., Ancystropus sp, and Meristaspis sp.).

Trypsin Genes Are Regulated through the miRNA Bantam and Associated with Drug Sensitivity in the Sea Louse Caligus rogercresseyi.

The role of trypsin genes in pharmacological sensitivity has been described in numerous arthropod species, including the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi. This ectoparasite species is mainly controlled by xenobiotic drugs in Atlantic salmon farming. However, the post-transcriptional regulation of trypsin genes and the molecular components involved in drug response remain unclear. In particular, the miRNA bantam family has previously been associated with drug response in arthropods and is also found in C. rogercresseyi, showing a high diversity of isomiRs. This study aimed to uncover molecular interactions among trypsin genes and bantam miRNAs in the sea louse C. rogercresseyi in response to delousing drugs. Herein, putative mRNA/miRNA sequences were identified and localized in the C. rogercresseyi genome through genome mapping and blast analyses. Expression analyses were obtained from the mRNA transcriptome and small-RNA libraries from groups with differential sensitivity to three drugs used as anti-sea lice agents: azamethiphos, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin. The validation was conducted by qPCR analyses and luciferase assay of selected bantam and trypsin genes identified from in silico transcript prediction. A total of 60 trypsin genes were identified in the C. rogercresseyi genome, and 39 bantam miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to drug exposure. Notably, expression analyses and correlation among values obtained from trypsin and bantam revealed an opposite trend and potential binding sites with significant ΔG values. The luciferase assay showed a reduction of around 50% in the expression levels of the trypsin 2-like gene, which could imply that this gene is a potential target for bantam. The role of trypsin genes and bantam miRNAs in the pharmacological sensitivity of sea lice and the use of miRNAs as potential markers in these parasites are discussed in this study.

Variation of dipteran ectoparasites (Streblidae) on Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838 (Phyllostomidae) in two caves in southeastern Brazil.

Bats are parasitized by many different arthropods, among which the dipteran families Nycteribiidae and Streblidae are exclusive to bats. Researches that relate the ecology of ectoparasites with their hosts are fundamental for understanding issues related to the interactions between these two groups, in addition to epidemiological aspects of pathogen transmission. The present study evaluated the rate of infestation by dipteran (Streblidae) ectoparasites in two colonies of Anoura geoffroyi associated with caves in the southeastern Brazil. It also evaluated whether parasitological indices differ significantly with regard to host sex and reproductive condition. A total of 1377 bats were captured, of which 84% were parasitized. From these, a total of 5047 streblid bat flies belonging to three species of three genera were collected and identified. The most abundant was Exastinion clovisi (57%), followed by Anastrebla modestini (30%) and Trichobius propinquus (13%). In general, the populations of ectoparasites fluctuated throughout the year, with peaks of abundance during the rainy season. The sex ratios for the species of ectoparasites were close to one, which differs from what is reported in the literature. In addition, there were significant differences in parasitism rates in relation to host sex and reproductive condition. In both populations, ectoparasite infestation of pregnant or lactating females was significantly higher than for non-reproductive females. New studies aimed at assessing whether these higher rates of infestation have any effect on female bat reproduction are needed.

Communities of ectoparasitic arthropods associated with the root vole Microtus oeconomus in north-eastern Poland

Ectoparasitic arthropods communities associated with root voles Microtus oeconomus (Pallas, 1776) were analysed in north-eastern Poland. The first M. oeconomus parasites recorded in the history were the fleas Palaeopsylla similis Dampf, Ctenophthalmus congerer Rothschild, C. bisoctodentatus Kolenati, and C. solutus Jordan et Rothschild. Ctenophthalmus uncinatus (Wagner) and Doratopsylla dasycnema (Rothschild) fleas and the Ixodes apronophorus Schulze tick were recorded on M. oeconomus in Poland for the first time. These species are relatively rare in Poland and specific to other species of small mammals. The incidence of M. oeconomus infestations with I. apronophorus, D. dasycnema and C. uncinatus ranged from 0.5 to 0.8 %, respectively. There are large differences in the infestation of Dermacentor reticulatus larvae and nymphs between July and August. In July, D. reticulatus may be considered the dominant ectoparasite species, in August, it is partly replaced by I. ricinus and fleas and is subdominant.

First assessment of ectoparasite prevalence in Apennine populations of Eurasian red squirrel: does habitat fragmentation affect parasite presence?

Although habitat fragmentation is widely reported to affect species survival and distribution, its effect in terms of host-parasite interactions in small mammal communities is poorly studied yet. Using information collected from carcasses of 34 road-kill and two preyed-upon individuals, we present the first comprehensive study dealing with the relationship between habitat fragmentation and the presence of different ectoparasite species infecting a small Sciurus vulgaris population inhabiting the Apennine ridge. We predicted that the probability to find individuals infested by parasites would be lower in highly fragmented areas because of the trade-off effects over both mammal and ectoparasite communities. Our findings showed that the most frequent ectoparasites were the squirrel fleas Ceratophyllus sciurorum and hard ticks Ixodes ricinus. Males showed higher presence of ectoparasites than females, probably because of different behaviour in space use and higher hormone levels, which may compromise host’s resistance to infection. As to the relationship with habitat fragmentation, we did not find support that individuals in highly fragmented areas would be less susceptible to C. sciurorum infestation because of lower red squirrel relative density. The presence of highly suitable habitat patches in fragmented habitats may have favoured the presence of squirrels, hence promoting C. sciurorum transmission among specimens. Similarly, we did not find support that habitat fragmentation would have reduced the likelihood of generalist ectoparasites transmission among squirrels. This finding may be explained by the increasing tolerance of generalist ectoparasites towards habitat fragmentation because of the presence of species (e.g., roe deer Capreolus capreolus) able to better exploit ecotonal areas. We believe that our research provides interesting preliminary results on ectoparasites infesting red squirrels in the Apennine area, and of the potential impact which habitat fragmentation may have on them. Nevertheless, the effect of habitat fragmentation over parasite communities is still poorly considered, and further researches are needed.