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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Host-ectoparasite associations; the role of host traits, season and habitat on parasitism interactions of the rodents of northeastern Iran

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Abstract Background Rodents play a significant role as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. Nevertheless, their ectoparasite assemblage and host-ectoparasite associations are poorly known. This study intended to give new insights on the relationships between ectoparasites and rodents in northeastern Iran. Methods Rodents were captured using live traps during the year of 2016–2020 and their ectoparasites were collected. Parasitological indices such as infestation rate, prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were analyzed. Results A total of 284 rodents, belonging to 17 species, were trapped which infested by 178 ectoparasites from five orders Siphonaptera, Phthiraptera, Ixodida, Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes. Overall infestation rate was 50.3%. Flea Nosopsyllus fasciatus and louse Polyplax asiatica were dominated among all fleas and lice, respectively. Haemaphysalis punctata and Haemolaelaps sp. were recorded as the most abundant tick and mite, respectively. Nosopsyllus fasciatus exhibited low and Polyplax asiatica moderate host specificity. Around 64.2% of ectoparasites shared more than one host and others were singletons. Seasonal fluctuations were found in the occurrence of ectoparasite; fleas and lice were more abundant in spring and winter, respectively. Ticks demonstrated high abundance in spring and summer and mites were more common in autumn. Overall prevalence of ectoparasite on male rodents was greater than females (56.4% vs. 44.4%), while similar mean intensity were detected for both sexes. Conclusions This study extend the knowledge on the distribution, seasonality and host choice of four main groups of ectoparasites in associations with rodents. Further studies are needed to can provide deep insight into how relationships and interactions between ectoparasite and rodents are formed, and how they can be applied in epidemiology.