Occurrence of ectoparasitic arthropods (Siphonaptera, Acarina, and Anoplura) on rodents of Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast of Iran

Objective: To determine distribution of rodents’ arthropods and estimate infestation parameters\udof fleas, mites, ticks, and lice associated with wild rodents in Mashhad and its vicinity, Iran.\udMethods: The rodents were captured using live trap from April 2013 to December 2014 in\udMashhad and vicinity, Khorasan Razavi, Iran. The ectoparasites were collected from body\udsurface of rodents using brushing, combing or forceps and preserved in 70% ethanol. The\udsamples were examined by stereomicroscope and classified into four groups including fleas,\udmites, ticks, and lice. Dark specimens were made more transparent by soaking in potassium\udhydroxide or Nesbitt’s fluid (where appropriate). The specimens were mounted on glass slides\udusing Hoyer’s medium. Ectoparasitic identification was done based on the available keys and\udconfirmed by qualified taxonomists.\udResults: A total of 197 rodents were trapped representing 11 species which belong to the\udfamily Muridae (7 species), Cricetidae (3 species) and Sciuridae (1 species). The most common\udcaptured rodent species was Mus musculus (13.19%) and the least was Apodemus witherbeyi\ud(6.59%). In total 783 ectoparasites related to 3 orders, 8 families, 10 genera and 15 species\udwere collected. The infestation rates by fleas, mites, ticks, and lice on the rodents were 18.78%,\ud22.84%, 18.78% and 10.15 %, respectively.\udConclusions: Overall infestation rate was 42.13 % (83 out of 197 rodents). The most and\udleast frequency of ectoparasites belonged to mites (50.44%) and lice (14.04%), respectively.\udThe results suggested that the prevalence of ectoparasites could be influenced by rodent host\udspecies. Monitoring the rodent population and their ectoparasites is recommended to facilitate\udarthropod-borne disease control programs