Risks Associated With Ectoparasites of Wild Mammals in the Department of Quindío, Colombia

Animals impounded by local regulatory agencies could be used as a source of ectoparasites for monitoring vectors of zoonotic pathogens. In the period between April 2004 and September 2005, 41 wild mammals were either impounded by the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Quindío (CRQ) or voluntarily delivered to this institution. The mammals represented 6 different orders and 14 species, from which 17 individuals (41%) had ectoparasites. A total of 582 arthropod ectoparasites were identified from 11 different genera. The highest mean intensities corresponded to the chewing lice Gyropus ovale, the flea Xenopsylla cheopis, and the ticks Amblyomma sp. This is the first systematic ectoparasite infestation data for a sample of wild mammals in the department of Quindío, Colombia, that shows the presence of ectoparasitic vectors of zoonotic pathogens. These results may help to evaluate the risks associated with the increased contacts of wild mammals with domestic animals and people in this region. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 4, No. 3, 2006. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med • Vol. 4, No. 3, 2006. 188 The objective of the work reported herein was to identify the arthropod ectoparasites parasitizing wild mammals in the department of Quindío to provide information on the risks associated with contacts of the wild fauna with domestic animals and people in this region. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty one wild mammals impounded by the CRQ or voluntarily delivered to the institution between April 2004 and September 2005 were analyzed. Wild mammals were captured in different municipalities of the department of Quindío. The mammals were classified according to the Emmons and Feer guidelines for families and genera and the Colombian field guide for terrestrial and flying mammals. For examination, each animal was restrained and anesthesia was administered to 4 sloths only (3 Choloepus hoffmanni and 1 Choloepus didactylus) following CRQ guidelines and protocols. Mammals were examined for ectoparasites using the method of Bittencourt and Rocha. This method was modified to examine 10 of the 12 body areas originally described for rodents. The animals were put on a white bed sheet and then combed with a flea comb or a toothbrush to remove the ectoparasites. Ectoparasites were collected by hand or using a narrow pointed set of pliers. The ectoparasites found on each host were stored in independent flasks in 70% ethanol. Ectoparasites were taken to the University of Quindío, and counted and grouped according to morphotype. Samples were then taken from each morphotype group, bleached with KOH, and placed on microplates for taxonomic identification under the microscope. Ectoparasites were identified following the keys provided for Mallophaga, Siphonaptera, Diptera, and mites and ticks. Photographic registries were taken for both host and ectoparasites. Voucher specimens from this study are deposited in the University of Quindío entomology laboratory collection. Infestation parameters calculated for each ectoparasite species parasitizing each host species were prevalence (percent of hosts infested), mean intensity (mean per infested host), species richness (S = number of species), and Shannon diversity's index (H = -Σ [pi ln pi], where pi = proportion of each ectoparasite species in the sample) following Bush et al and Lareschi et al.