Ectoparasite compostion of bats at Setiu, Terengganu

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).