Trichobius joblingi, Aspidoptera falcata, and Megistopoda proxima (Diptera: Streblidae) Parasitic on Carollia perspicillata and Sturnira lillium (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) in Southeastern Brazil: Sex Ratios, Seasonality, Host Site Preference, and Effect of Parasitism on the Host

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 167 - 170
• Main Authors: Linhares, Arício X, Komeno, Carlos A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence, KS American Society of Parasitologists 01-02-2000
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Bats; Biological and medical sciences; Ectoparasites; Female animals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Insect ecology; Male animals; Parasite hosts; Parasites; Parasitism; RESEARCH NOTES; Sex ratio; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Wetland ecology; Host parasite relation; Insecta; Population structure; Host; Sex ratio; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Site selection; Seasonal variation; Arthropoda; Body size; Population dynamics; Parasitism; Ectoparasite; Invertebrata; Carollia perspicillata; Chiroptera; Diptera; Population density
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2000)086[0167:TJAFAM]2.0.CO;2

This note examines the effect of parasitism on host size, the preference of the parasite for a specific host body area, and the seasonal abundance for the 3 most abundant bat flies (i.e., Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, a parasite of the bat Carollia perspicillata [Linnaeus], and Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel and Megistopoda proxima [Séguy], parasites on Sturnira lilium [Geoffroy]). Trichobius joblingi and A. falcata are moderately dorsoventrally flattened and were collected on the wing membranes of their hosts, and M. proxima is moderately laterally compressed, has long, thin hind legs, and was collected in the body fur of the host. These 3 parasites also showed distinct seasonal patterns. There was a significant negative correlation between the simultaneous occurrence of A. falcata and M. proxima on the host. Parasitism by M. proxima was correlated with a significant weight loss in male S. lilium, which may reflect the large size, high activity, and constant feeding of this parasite, thereby causing a significant negative effect on the host. Sex ratios favoring male flies could be explained by the tendency of female flies to leave the host immediately before the bat leaves the shelter in search for food or immediately after bats are collected but could also be a consequence of higher mortality among females, especially gravid ones. Finally, collecting may have influenced the skewed sex ratio because male flies, being more active, were more evident to the collector.