| searching for generality in the patterns of parasite abundance and distribution: ectoparasites of a south african rodent, rhabdomys pumilio. | we studied abundance and distribution of seven ectoparasite species (fleas chiastopsylla rossi and dynopsyllus ellobius, a louse polyplax arvicanthis, mites androlaelaps fahrenholzi and laelaps giganteus and two ticks haemaphysalis elliptica and hyalomma truncatum) exploiting the same populations of the rodent host rhabdomys pumilio in south africa. we considered three general patterns of abundance and distribution, namely (i) aggregated distribution of parasites amongst individual hosts; (ii) p ... | 2009 | 19168068 |
| epifaunistic arthropod parasites of the four-striped mouse, rhabdomys pumilio, in the western cape province, south africa. | flea, lice, mite, and tick species associated with 510 rhabdomys pumilio were collected at 9 localities in the western cape province, south africa. the aims of the study were first to quantify the species richness, prevalence, and relative mean intensity of infestation of epifaunistic arthropod species associated with r. pumilio, and second to determine temporal variations in the mean abundance of the parasitic arthropods. each mouse was examined under a stereoscopic microscope and its parasites ... | 2007 | 17436941 |
| comparative phylogeography between two generalist flea species reveal a complex interaction between parasite life history and host vicariance: parasite-host association matters. | in parasitic taxa, life history traits such as microhabitat preference and host specificity can result in differential evolutionary responses to similar abiotic events. the present study investigates the influence of vicariance and host association on the genetic structure of two generalist flea species, listropsylla agrippinae, and chiastopsylla rossi. the taxa differ in the time spent on the host (predominantly fur vs. nest) and level of host specificity. | 2015 | 26058755 |
| remnant fragments within an agricultural matrix enhance conditions for a rodent host and its fleas. | habitat fragmentation can adversely impact biodiversity, although where remnant fragments of natural vegetation provide favourable conditions the negative effects of fragmentation may be mitigated. host-parasite systems in fragmented areas have only recently been examined, with parasites generally showing higher prevalence and richness in fragments, mediated by changes in host density. however, the effect of fragmentation on parasite body size and fecundity remains poorly investigated. thus, her ... | 2013 | 23101765 |