Abstract:
A study of bat ectoparasites was carried out at Pulau Che Selamah which is located at
Setiu, Terengganu from August 2006 until January 2007. The objectives of this study
were to determine the bat ectoparasites composition, to compare prevalence and
abundance of ectoparasite among the bat species and to establish a checklist of the
ectoparasites. Bats were captured by using mist-net in order to obtain ectoparasites.
Ectoparasites were removed from bats and preserved in 70% alcohol for identification
purpose. A total of 56 individual of bats were captured, including Balionycteris
maculata, Eonycteris spelaea, Cynopterus brachyotis and Penthetor lucasi. From
those bats, a total of 357 individual ectoparasites were collected which represented
five orders, including Ctenocephalides sp., Streblid, Nycteribiid, Argasid, Myobiid
mite, Spinturnicid mite, Ancystropus spp. and Merislaspis spp. The maximum
ectoparasites' infested index was attained in Argasid (1.63) while the minimum was
indicated by Myobiid mite (0.05).