Ectoparasites composition on batas at coastal area of KUSTEM

Abstract

Ectoparasites compositions on bats study were conducted from September 2005 until January 2006. The objective is to identify and to examine the ectoparasites composition among bats. Forty two bats representing four bats species comprising species of Cynopterus brachyotis, C. horsfieldii, Eonycteris spelaea and Kerivoula papillosa were captured at coastal area in Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia (KUSTEM). Each bat was captured to examine the presence of ectoparasites. A total of 39 ectoparasites were collected on 26 infested bats, this including Argas sp. and Nycteribia spp. Study revealed that the most infested bat was C. brachyotis with 67. 7% of infestation and Nycteribia spp. is the most abundant ectoparasites. Male bats hosted higher densities of ectoparasites than female.