A new record of fleas from nilgai antelope in southern Texas and fleas from other wildlife.

Abstract

Wildlife are hosts of ectoparasites, such as fleas and ticks that may transmit human and animal pathogens. Little is known about the ecology of many ectoparasite species native to southern Texas, or their role in pathogen maintenance and transmission. Much attention has been given to the role of nonnative nilgai antelope as cattle fever tick hosts and agents of dispersal, but little attention has been given to other ectoparasites that may utilize nilgai antelope as hosts. As southern Texas is a hot-spot for flea-borne (murine) typhus, it is important to examine flea species presence, abundance, and host use in this region. Fleas were opportunistically collected during wildlife depredation activities, from hunter-harvested animals, or during handling in the course of other research activities in several southern Texas counties. A total of 9 wildlife species were sampled, from which 3 flea species were identified. A total of 83 Pulex porcinus (Jordan and Rothschild) were collected from nilgai, coyotes, bobcats, javelina, feral swine, and a black-tailed jackrabbit. In total, 9 Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinis (Baker) were collected from cottontail rabbits, and 1 Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood) was collected from a raccoon. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of fleas from nilgai antelope. Pulex porcinus, although often considered a specialist species, was collected from a wide range of hosts, including 2 (nilgai antelope and black-tailed jackrabbit) that represent new host records for this species. The role of P. porcinus as a pathogen vector is unknown, but its apparent abundance in this region warrants further investigation.