Abstract
Background
Arthropods parasites of bats play a crucial role in both ecological and public health contexts, as they have the potential to transmit zoonotic agents. The study aims to identify the distribution, and host-parasite associations of bat ectoparasites in the Grand Maghreb region (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), which has been largely understudied.
Methods
A thorough analysis of published records was conducted and we included our own field data.
Results
The checklist reveals a total of 43 ectoparasite species, encompassing a range of taxa. The list comprises 9 tick species, 11 mite species (including a chigger-mite), 11 bat fly species, 3 species of bugs, and 9 species of fleas. Extensive research efforts uncovered 141 host-parasite associations. Our data presents several new country records, documenting for the first time the presence of Carios vespertilionis and Raymondia huberi in Tunisia, Ixodes simplex and Spinturnix plecotinus in Algeria.
Conclusion
By compiling and analysing available information, we have provided for the first time an up-to-date checklist of bat ectoparasites and their host associations in the region. This knowledge contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiological implications associated with bat ectoparasites, emphasizing their ecological and public health importance. The study's findings call for continued investigations and monitoring of bat ectoparasites to mitigate potential risks and safeguard both human and animal populations.
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Data Availability
Data is available upon request from the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Mohamed Rayan Guinoune for his assistance in the field, we also thank Ingo Scheffler, and the World Bat library—Geneva (http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/) for facilitating access to older literature.
Funding
MLB was supported by the Romanian governmental scholarship E1-1/687. While working for this study, ADS was funded by Project no. TKP2020-NKA-01 implemented with the support provided from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary, financed under the “Tématerületi Kiválósági Program 2020” (2020-4.1.1-TKP2020) funding scheme, and also supported by OTKA K-132794 of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office.
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Conceptualisation: MLB and ADS, fieldwork: MLB, FK, AA, and NM, morphological identification of bats: MLB and AA, morphological identification of parasites: MLB, FK and ADS, writing of the first draft of the manuscript: MLB, data curation: MLB and ADS, data analysis and map design: MLB, review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: SA and ADM. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
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Bendjeddou, M.L., Khelfaoui, F., Abiadh, A. et al. Bat Ectoparasites (Acari, Diptera, Hemiptera, Siphonaptera) in the Grand Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia): A Literature Review and New Data. Acta Parasit. 69, 106–120 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00732-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00732-8