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The occurrence of stickfast fleas Echidnophaga spp. on wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) in Victoria
Author(s) -
SHEPHERD ROSAMOND C. H.,
EDMONDS J. W.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
australian journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 0307-692X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1978.tb01178.x
Subject(s) - infestation , biology , ecology , zoology , veterinary medicine , botany , medicine
A survey of rabbits collected throughout Victoria showed that Echidnophaga spp. were present only in the north‐west of Victoria, the Mallee region, in an area bounded by the 400 mm isohyet. There was a correlation with rainfall within this area. Overall, the ratio of male fleas to female fleas was about 0.5:1, peaking at 0.9:1 in late summer or early autumn. The infestation rates of male and female rabbits were similar, although female rabbits were generally more heavily infested than male rabbits. The species collected were E. myrmecobii and E. perilis with an occasional specimen of E. gallinacea. E. perilis was more commonly found in the southern area of the Mallee, and E. myrmecobii in the northern area. Gravid female E. myrmecobii were present in every collection but no gravid E. perilis were found during the winter months.