Ectoparasites on fallow deer, Dama dama (L.) in Pomerania, Poland

摘要

A total of 356 Dama dama individuals (about 20% of the population inhabiting Pomerania, Poland) were examined over a period of 6 years (1996-2001). The fallow deer were found to act as hosts for 8 parasitic arthropod species belonging to 4 orders: Diptera (Lipoptena cervi), Mallophaga (Damalinia meyeri), Anoplura (Solenopotes burmeisteri) and Acari (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Sarcoptes scabiei, Chorioptes texanus, Demodex kutzeri). The extent of infestation was species-dependent; the highest prevalence (76%) was typical of L. cervi, followed by L ricinus (29%) and D. meyeri (7%). On the other hand, the extent of infestation of small epidermal Acari was generally low, e.g., the prevalence of C. texanus did not exceed I Despite the relatively high prevalences, the infestations were symptomless.