Variable effects of host characteristics on species richness of flea infracommunities in rodents from three continents

摘要: We studied the effect of host gender and body mass on species richness flea infracommunities in nine rodent from three biomes (temperate zone central Europe, desert Middle East tropics Africa). Using season- species-specific generalized linear mixed models controlling for year-to-year variation, spatial clustering sampling over-dispersion data, we found inconsistent associations between characteristics richness. strong support male-biased parasitism, especially during reproductive period (higher male hosts than females) all considered European rodents (Apodemus agrarius, Myodes glareolus Microtus arvalis) one (Dipodillus dasyurus). In contrast, two African (Lophuromys kilonzoi Praomys delectorum) demonstrated a trend female-biased Positive number were detected mainly males (five species: A. M. glareolus, arvalis, D. dasyurus Mastomys natalensis) not females (except natalensis). The results this study earlier reports that gender-biased, general, male-biased, particular, infestation by ectoparasites is universal rule. This suggests mechanisms parasite acquisition an individual are have evolved independently different host-flea systems.