We studied seasonal variation of ectoparasite load (number of parasites per individual bat) in free-ranging populations of the lesser mouse-eared bat Myotis blythii in western Iran. Data for 1 species each of batfly (Nycteribidae), tick (Ixodidae), and mite (Spinturnicidae) are reported for a 1 yr period. Patterns of parasite load during this time differed considerably among species. However, the parasite load increased markedly in pregnant females in spring and early summer. During the same time frame, parasite load decreased in solitary males when they roosted apart from maternity clusters. However, in late summer, when bats began swarming, males showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in parasite load. Using the ratio of body mass to length of forearm as an index of body condition, no significant correlation was found.
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June 2008
ECTOPARASITOLOGY|
June 01 2008
Variation in Ectoparasite Load Reflects Life History Traits in the Lesser Mouse-eared Bat Myotis blythii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Western Iran
Mozafar Sharifi;
Mozafar Sharifi
Razi University Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Baghabrisham 67149, Kermanshah, Iran. sharifimozafar@gmail.com
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Fatema Mozafari;
Fatema Mozafari
Razi University Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Baghabrisham 67149, Kermanshah, Iran. sharifimozafar@gmail.com
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Najmeh Taghinezhad;
Najmeh Taghinezhad
Razi University Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Baghabrisham 67149, Kermanshah, Iran. sharifimozafar@gmail.com
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Hossain Javanbakht
Hossain Javanbakht
Razi University Center for Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Baghabrisham 67149, Kermanshah, Iran. sharifimozafar@gmail.com
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J Parasitol (2008) 94 (3): 622–625.
Citation
Mozafar Sharifi, Fatema Mozafari, Najmeh Taghinezhad, Hossain Javanbakht; Variation in Ectoparasite Load Reflects Life History Traits in the Lesser Mouse-eared Bat Myotis blythii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Western Iran. J Parasitol 1 June 2008; 94 (3): 622–625. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-1334.1
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