ECTOPARASITE FLEAS' OF COTTONTAIL RABBITS2 AND BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS3 INHABITING THE HIGH PLAINS OF WEST TEXAS

摘要

A survey of fleas parasitizing prairie dogs, Cynomys ludovicianus, and cottontail rabbits, Sylvilagus spp, was conducted from August 2003 to January 2004 in Lubbock, Texas. This study involved the sampling of fleas from active prairie dog burrows aswell as the capture of other small mammals inhabiting praiiie dog towns. Of the 174 active burrows that were sampled, only five yielded fleas The sampled rabbits had a mean number of 7.9 SEM 1 32 fleas each range of zero to 30, while the prairie dogshad a minimum of one and a maximum of 22 fleas each, with the average prairie dog having a flea burden of 6.9 SEM 1.52. Identification of the fleas revealed three species: Oropsylla hirsuta Baker formerly Opisocrostis hirsutus, Pulex spp, and Euhoplopsyllus glacialis Taschenburg. The majority of fleas 99% parasitizing the rabbits were E, glacialis The majority of fleas 74% on praiiie dogs weie Pulex spp., with the remaining fleas 0 hirsuta All of the fleas collected from within praiiie dog burrows were identified as O hirsuta.