南非 Mahali 鼹鼠 Cryptomys hottentotus mahali 的外寄生虫群落：医学重要媒介的潜在宿主。

Ectoparasitic community of the Mahali mole-rat, Cryptomys hottentotus mahali: potential host for vectors of medical importance in South Africa.

机构信息

Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028, South Africa.

Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.

出版信息

Parasit Vectors. 2021 Jan 6;14(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04537-w.

DOI:10.1186/s13071-020-04537-w

PMID:33407807

原文链接:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7788776/

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, particularly South Africa, are understudied as reservoirs of diseases of significant medical importance. Considering the diversity and wide distribution of African mole-rats in South Africa, many of these bathyergids could act as carriers of zoonoses.

METHODS

The present study assessed the ectoparasite community of the Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus mahali). We aimed to identify possible parasitic arthropods that may infest this mole-rat species and explore host preference, contributions of seasonality, host sex and body mass as well as social class and colony size on ectoparasite assemblage prevalence and abundance.

RESULTS

A limited number of ectoparasite species were found on C. h. mahali belonging to two significant taxa: mites (Acari) and fleas, with mites being the most prevalent and abundant. We recorded the presence of X. philoxera, a flea well known as the principal reservoir of plague in the southern African region on the Mahali mole-rats. Only three mite species were collected: Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis and Laelaps liberiensis. Seasonal peaks in prevalence and abundance of X. philoxera and A. scapularis were observed during summer. Xenopsylla philoxera abundance and A. scapularis loads significantly increased on reproductive mole-rat individuals in comparison to non-reproductive individuals.

CONCLUSION

Despite the wide distribution of the subterranean African mole-rats, studies investigating their parasitic fauna remain limited and scarce. This dearth in knowledge raises the concern regarding their potential role as an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling of their ectoparasitic community throughout their distributional range and research addressing their role as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa are urgently needed.

摘要

背景

在非洲，尤其是南非，地方性的滨鼠科（Bathyergidae）啮齿动物作为具有重要医学意义的疾病的储主，研究不足。考虑到南非非洲岩狸的多样性和广泛分布，其中许多滨鼠科动物可能是人畜共患病的携带者。

方法

本研究评估了 Mahali 岩狸（Cryptomys hottentotus mahali）的外寄生虫群落。我们旨在确定可能寄生在这种岩狸物种上的寄生虫，并探索季节性、宿主性别和体重、社会阶级和群体大小对外寄生虫组合的患病率和丰度的影响。

结果

在 C. h. mahali 上发现了数量有限的外寄生虫物种，属于两个重要的分类群：螨虫（蜱螨目）和跳蚤，其中螨虫最为普遍和丰富。我们记录了 X. philoxera 的存在，这种跳蚤是南非地区鼠疫的主要宿主。仅收集到三种螨虫：Androlaelaps scapularis、Androlaelaps capensis 和 Laelaps liberiensis。X. philoxera 和 A. scapularis 的患病率和丰度在夏季达到季节性高峰。与非繁殖个体相比，繁殖个体的 X. philoxera 丰度和 A. scapularis 负荷显著增加。