The relationship of ectoparasite prevalence to the capturing season, locality and species of the murine rodent hosts in Iran

The role of rodents in the transmission of different parasitic infections has been well documented. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between capturing season and rodent habitat with ectoparasite prevalence in the murine rodents from Mashhad and vicinity, in northeast Iran. In addition, the host species-related effects on ectoparasitic prevalence were studied. A field survey of ectoparasites was carried out in 20 localities from April 2013 to April 2015. A total of 74 murine rodents were captured: 17.56% Apodemus witherbeyi, 35.13% Mus musculus, 21.62% Nesokia indica and 25.67% Rattus norvegicus. A total of 413 ectoparasites were collected as follows: 19.85% fleas, 24.45% ticks, 39.70% mites and 16.22% lice. The most infested rodent was R. norvegicus (P = 89.47%) and the most common ectoparasites were mites. The highest prevalence was observed in summer (P = 31.57%) and ticks were the most common ectoparasite for this season. Behesht Reza and Mashhad railway station were the highest infested areas with P = 12.28%. Prevalence of overall ectoparasites (P = 74.32%) was higher in Behest Reza cemetery and Mashhad railway station compared to the other localities. Seasonal changes in the prevalence of some ectoparasites paralleled those in the relative abundance of their hosts. Furthermore, the prevalence of some ectoparasites showed differences related to the locality of their hosts. There were significant differences between the prevalence of each of ectoparasitic group in all four species. These relationships are useful in understanding the role of arthropod vectors as well as their reservoirs in the transmission of diseases in humans and other animals.