Host selection and influencing factors of parasitic fleas on the body surface of desert rodents, Inner Mongolia, China

Fleas frequently parasitize rodents and serve as major vectors for many zoonotic diseases. The Alxa Desert in Inner Mongolia, China, is a typical arid region in Asia, which is suitable for the coexistence of a variety of rodents in this environment. Understanding the host selection of fleas among these rodents and the factors influencing this selection is crucial for comprehending rodent-borne diseases and the vector roles of fleas. This study utilized live-trap methods to capture rodents coexisting in the Alxa Desert from April to October 2022. Body surface fleas were collected and analyzed for abundance across different hosts, sexes, and reproductive statuses. The results indicated that: (1) there were significant differences in the species and abundance of parasitic fleas on different rodent species, with Ophthalmopsylla kiritschenkoi and Mesopsylla hebes preferring the Dipus sagitta and Orientallactaga sibirica as their hosts, and Xenopsylla conformis preferring Meriones meridianus as its host. (2) Fleas exhibited sex-preferential host selection, showing a greater preference for male hosts. (3) Among rodents of different reproductive states, most fleas prefer to parasitize individuals in non-reproductive periods. (4) The mean abundance of fleas varied significantly between seasons (P < 0.05), with spring and autumn being the peak periods for flea parasitism. (5) Factors influencing the mean abundance of fleas included host species, sex, reproductive status, and season, with host species having the greatest impact.