Environmental factors affecting ectoparasite density in bridge-roosting Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera: Molossidae).

摘要

Ectoparasites can be detrimental to the health of the host on which they live, affecting them in many direct and indirect ways. This study focuses on the environmental factors that affect the parasite abundance within bat colonies, specifically temperature and humidity. A total of 750 Tadarida brasiliensis were collected from under highway bridges on ten collection trips spanning from May to August 2006. Ectoparasites were counted and the ambient temperature and relative humidity recorded for each bridge location per trip. Temperature and humidity were compared to mite abundance, using multiple statistical tests, to determine if there was a significant influence of either variable on mite abundance. Temperature and humidity did show rather consistent overall affects on parasite abundance, although the biome in which the collection site was located determined which of the variables possessed the dominant effect.