Effect of host and environment related factors on the distribution of the ectoparasites of the montane grass mouse Akodon montensis (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion in northeastern Argentina, with emphasis on laelapids (Mesostigmata)
2022
Urdapilleta,Mara | Galliari,Carlos A. | Navarro-Febre,Tomás | Lareschi,Marcela
Abstract Akodon montensis Thomas is the dominant rodent species in the Urugua-í Provincial Park in northeastern Argentina. Herein we analyze the effect of variables related to the hosts and the environment on the parasitic burden (PB), which includes the Ixodida, Siphonaptera and Mesostigmata (Laelapidae and Macronyssidae). In addition, we analyze host and environmental variables on specific richness (SL), and mean abundance of mites of the Laelapidae family (MAL), since these were the most abundant taxon and the only one with sufficient quantity for analysis. The variables PB, SL and MAL were used with the logarithm transformed data in the analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to test differences between rodents of different sex in an exploratory analysis, and the Levene test was then used to confirm the homogeneity of variances. Differences in these parameters were tested between the states of rodent’s sexual maturity. To test the effect of trapped site and its interaction with the sex of the rodent on MAL and SL, a two-way ANOVA was performed. The PAST software was used. The results support that the sex of the host would be the main factor that modulates PB and MAL, but not SL. The size and weight of the hosts (as a proxy for age), the reproductive stage and site of capture of the rodents, would not affect any of the variables analyzed. The results obtained in the present study contribute to the comprehension of the epidemiological role of ectoparasites, mainly laelapids.
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