Ectoparasite Community Structure of Two Bats (Myotis lucifugus and M. septentrionalis) from the Maritimes of Canada

Abstract

<p>Prevalence of bat ectoparasites on sympatric <i>Myotis lucifugus</i> and <i>M. septentrionalis</i> was quantitatively characterized in Nova Scotiaand New Brunswick by making systematic collections at swarming sites. Six species of ectoparasite were recorded, including <i>Myodopsylla</i> insignis, <i>Spinturnix americanus</i>, <i>Cimex adjunctus</i>, <i>Macronyssu scrosbyi</i>, <i>Androlaelap scasalis</i>, and an unknown species of the genus <i>Acanthophthirius</i>. Male <i>M. lucifugus</i> and <i>M. septentrionalis</i> had similar prevalence of any ectoparasite (22% and 23%,resp.). Female <i>M. lucifugus</i> and <i>M. septentrionalis</i> had 2-3 times higher prevalence than did conspecific males (68% and 44%, resp.. Prevalence of infection of both genders of young of the year was not different from one another and the highest prevalence of anyectoparasite (<i>M. lucifugus</i> 64%, <i>M. septentrionalis</i> 72%) among all bat groups. Ectoparasite prevalence and intensity varied pos-itively with roost group size and negatively with grooming efficacy and energy budgets, suggesting that these variables may be im-portant in ectoparasite community structure.</p>