Fleas are one of the most interesting and fascinating taxa of ectoparasites All species in this relatively small order are obligatory haematophagous (blood-feeding) parasites of higher vertebrates This book examines how functional, ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes of host-parasite relationships are realized in this particular system As such it provides an in-depth case study of a host-parasite system, demonstrating how fleas can be used as a model taxon for testing ecological and evolutionary hypotheses The book moves from basic descriptive aspects, to functional issues and finally to evolutionary explanations It extracts several general principles that apply equally well to other host-parasite systems, so it appeals not only to flea biologists but also to 'mainstream' parasitologists and ecologists

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Functional and Evolutionary Ecology of Fleas: A Model for Ecological Parasitology

http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/~danh/Neurodiversity/Fall%202012/2012-11-07_Dan-BatMothCapture/Goerlitz&&Holderfed_2010_BatStealthEcho.pdf

An aerial-hawking bat uses stealth echolocation to counter moth hearing

Abstract This article reviews patterns, causes and consequences of gender-biased infestation of small mammalian hosts by macroparasites. We start with a description of gender biases in parasite infestation and discuss variation in these patterns among host and parasite taxa. We also look at temporal and spatial variations in gender-biased parasitism and demonstrate that they can vary seasonally and be mediated by environmental conditions. Then, we present main hypotheses that examine mechanisms of gender-biased parasitism. One group of these hypotheses focuses on differences between male and female hosts in their probability to be attacked by parasites, while another group links gender-biased parasitism with differences in parasite performance in male vs. female hosts. Finally, we discuss possible consequences of male-biased parasitism for individual parasites, their populations and communities.

Gender-biased parasitism in small mammals: patterns, mechanisms, consequences

Large-scale semi-automated acoustic monitoring allows to detect temporal decline of bush-crickets

Sex-biased parasitism is rarely investigated in relation to host tolerance and resistance, which are two defense strategies hosts can adopt when challenged by parasites. Health or fitness deteriorations in less tolerant individuals with increasing parasite burden would be faster than those in more tolerant ones. Hence, the body condition and reproductive potential of an infected individual host can be considered proxies for tolerance to parasitism. We studied Mediterranean populations of the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and its helminth parasites. We assessed their resistance using the phytohemagglutinin test and spleen size, and their tolerance using body condition in males and females and testes mass in males. In order to avoid spurious correlations, we took into account the phylogeographic structure of the Mediterranean wood mouse populations. We used a mixed model adapted from the animal model used in quantitative genetics. While helminth infection did not differ between the two sexes, females and males differed in their measured defenses. Females seem to invest more in immune defense with increasing risk of parasite diversity, but also appear to be potentially more tolerant of parasitic diversity. These results suggest the existence of sexual differences in resistance and tolerance, and that measurements of parasitic loads alone could be insufficient to detect any underlying sexual differences in the two strategies that have evolved in response to multiple parasitic attacks.

Is there sex-biased resistance and tolerance in Mediterranean wood mouse ( Apodemus sylvaticus ) populations facing multiple helminth infections?

In the Western Carpathians (central Slovakia), we recorded Nyctalus leisleri in six foraging habitats. The body condition of foraging females and young varied during the season (May to August). Parturition occurred about mid-June and the first flying young were captured in the first half of July. The ectoparasites were recorded in 56.5% of examined bats and comprised seven arthropod species of mites, fleas and flies; the most common were the mites Spinturnix helvetiae (55.4%) and Steatonyssus spinosus (31.3%). Pregnant females were the most infested. Ectoparasitic flies Nycteribia latreillii and Nycteribia (Acrocholidia) vexata were recorded for the first time in this species. Seven orders of insects were found in the faecal pellets examined. By frequency (F%) and volume (V%), the major food items comprised Lepidoptera (F = 100.0, V = 55.7) and Diptera (F = 91.5, V = 25.6). The four most abundant prey categories by volume varied significantly seasonally.

Phenology, diet, and ectoparasites of Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri) in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

A b s t r a c t . The food composition of noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) was investigated using droppings analyses methods (29 samples/ 322 pellets) over two winters (2001/2002 and 2002/2003) in ten urban and rural localities in Central Europe (Slovakia, Czech Republic). Two orders of arachnids (Araneida, Acarina) and nine orders of insects (Homoptera, Heteroptera, Psocoptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Siphonaptera) were identified in the droppings. The most important order in all samples was Lepidoptera (mean F = 53 %, mean V = 35 %), followed by Diptera (F = 38 %, V = 12 %), Coleoptera (F = 21 %, V = 9 %) and Araneida (F = 15 %, V = 3 %). Differences were found in the composition of the most important food components among two urban and one rural locality as well as in the portion of secondary components (hair, slime). Regarding seasonal changes in the food composition, three periods were identified in winter – the beginning (November – January), the middle (February) and the end of the season (March). Some seasonal trends could be identified in the Diptera and Coleoptera, with a decrease in frequency and volume in the middle of the winter. The most important food component (Lepidoptera) showed no seasonal trend over winter. The bats could hunt insects outside or collect them also very probably directly in the shelters.

Winter diet of the noctule bat Nyctalus noctula

Many thermophilous species are predicted to shift their ranges to higher lati- tudes and altitudes in response to climate warm- ing. The range trend was analysed for two orthop- teran species Ruspolia nitidula (Scopoli, 1786) and Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabricius, 1781) of tropical origin at their northern limits. Their northern range seems to have been stable for more than 100 years irrespective that they are good fliers and in spite of a rapid increase of records within their northern range supported by hard data. In 2000-2006, the authors found R. nitidula on 87 localities (only 19 had been known before 2000) and A. thalassinus on 35 localities (9 before 2000) in Slovakia. The authors consider that this in- crease of records is more due to intensified map- ping, and it does not support the hypothesis that the global warming affects the spreading of the species. For both these endangered thermo-hy- grophilous species, habitat choice, population dynamics, phenology, threats and conservation aspects were analysed and discussed in the con- text of their main ranges.

Did the northern range of distribution of two tropical orthopterans (insecta) change recently

Mass hibernacula of several tens of thousands of Pipistrellus pipistrellus associated with the swarming of bats during seasonal movements should serve as important sites of gene flow in this species. The massive occurrence of hibernating bats which is observed in few caves in the Carpathian Mountains encourages the idea that the genetic diversity at these sites will be greater comparing to known situation in surrounding region. This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of individuals that aggregate in two such caves in Slovakia and Romania with the help of a common and available genetic marker. Using an mtDNA cytochrome b, 571 bp long fragment, very low haplotype diversity was found within both mass hibernacula of P. pipistrellus (15 haplotypes only, from which one significantly predominated with > 80% in both caves). The initial screening did not suggest that hibernating bats migrated to mass hibernacula from remote areas behind central European region. However, reliable study of the species’ migratory behaviour is required to understand more about the phenomenon of the mass hibernacula of these bats.

Haplotype diversity in common pipistrelle’s mass hibernacula from central Europe

Altitudinal preferences, somatic and population adaptations in different ecological conditions were analysed in flightless bush-cricket species Polysarcus denticauda (Charpentier, 1825). Altitudinal analysis was performed in GIS software (more than 60 sites in Slovakia, Central Europe). Seasonal occurrence and population density were recorded in selected sites. To compare differences, absolute values of measurements (length of body, hind femur and tibia, cerci and weight) and Body Condition Index were taken from males. Study species prefers mesophilous montane up to alpine meadows in higher elevations (over 600 m a.s.l.). The development started over one month earlier in lowlands and populations reached several fold higher density there.Males from lowlands had body parameters significantly bigger apart from cerci. Cerci were significantly longer in males from mountains. However, males of the same size were significantly heavier in higher altitudes. In conclusion, refuges of montane meadows ecosystem support species survival nowadays.

/pdf/somatic-and-population-adaptations-of-polysarcus-denticauda-2xixezcfbz.pdf

Peter Kanuch

Papers

Phenology, diet, and ectoparasites of Leisler's bat (Nyctalus leisleri) in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

Winter diet of the noctule bat Nyctalus noctula

Did the northern range of distribution of two tropical orthopterans (insecta) change recently

Haplotype diversity in common pipistrelle’s mass hibernacula from central Europe

Somatic and population adaptations of Polysarcus denticauda (Orthoptera) in extreme altitudes