Structure of parasitic arthropod communities in forest small mammals

Species composition and structure of ectoparasite arthropod communities were examined all year round six years in the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, Ural wood mouse Apodemus uralensis and the common shrew Sorex araneus in forests of the Ilmen'-Volkhov depression. In total, 4500 host samples have been examined and all ectoparasites have been collected. The species composition of ectoparasite community in small mammal species are as follows: the bank vole--29 insect, tick and mite species, the common shrew--23 species, the Ural wood mouse--16 species. In forest biotopes, many temporary ectoparasitic species occur on several host species living in the same habitats under a forest canopy and contacting each other. A parasitic supracommunity in the ecosystem examined has a pool of temporary ectoparasites, which is available for all the community of small mammals. A role of different rodent and shrew species are hosts of insects and ticks changes depending on a density of potential host populations and numerous other environment factors.     

Comparative study of Spanish and Italian terrestrial small mammal coenoses from different biotopes in Mediterranean peninsular tip regions

A comparison of terrestrial small mammal coenoses belonging to nine different biotopes in the tips of the Iberian and Italian peninsulas was carried out using the pitfall trapping method. The influence of both habitat type and peninsular effect on composition of small mammal coenoses was analysed. In Southern Italy, 203 specimens belonging to seven species were trapped: Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822), Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811), C. leucodon (Hermann, 1780), Microtus savii (de Sélys-Longchamps, 1838), Apodemus sylvaticus (L., 1758), A. flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) and Mus musculus domesticus Schwarz & Schwarz, 1943. In Southern Spain 428 specimens belonging to five species were trapped: Suncus etruscus, Crocidura russula (Hermann, 1780), Microtus duodecimcostatus (de Sélys-Longchamps, 1839), Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus spretus Lataste, 1883. The relative density of small mammals occurring in the nine Spanish sampling stations was twice that recorded in the Italian stations; however the number of species recorded in the different biotopes show similar mean values, ranging from three to five in Andalusia and from three to six in Calabria. Apodemus sylvaticus was the dominant species in the Calabrian stations, whereas Crocidura russula prevailed in Andalusia. The biotic diversity values are very similar in the Calabrian and Andalusian biotopes. By contrast, the Insectivora/Rodentia ratio was always higher in Andalusia. The more xerophytic biotopes showed greater similarities between the communities in Southern Spain and Southern Italy, while the cooler biotopes differed between these two peninsulas.     

川西南地区小型兽类型体外寄生革螨群落研究

1987年7月－1988年11月在川西南地区共采集到小型兽类体外革螨32种,178只,高山姬鼠,大耳姬鼠和社鼠体外寄生革螨群落结构复杂,生物多样性指数较高,在这些革螨群落中,如厩真厉螨为高山姬鼠和大耳姬鼠的优势种,福建厉螨为社鼠的优势种,毒厉螨为褐家和阳金小鼠的优势种,松鼠真厉螨为橙腹松鼠的优势种,金氏厉螨为黑腹绒鼠的优势种,臊鼠赫刺螨为灰麝鼯的优势种,而其余12种小型兽类革螨群落的优势种不明显。     

Structure and seasonal dynamics of an ectoparasite community on the common shrew (Sorex araneus) in the Il'men'-Volkhov lowland

Species composition, seasonal dynamics, and a load of ectoparasites per individual and population of the common shrew Sorex araneus have been examined in coniferous and mixed forests of the Ilmen'-Volkhov lowland (a neighbourhood of Oskuy village, Chudovo district, Novgorod Province) during the period 1999-2003. Trapping of mammals was carried monthly, with exception of few accidental gaps. The Gero traps were used for catching micromammalian hosts. The lines of trap were checked 2 times a day, places of lines changed each 3-5 day. Total number of micromammalians collected during the period of study is 3215, including 1115 specimens of the common shrew S. araneus and 246 ones of the pigmy shrew S. minutus. Parasite fauna on the common shrew included 23 ectoparasite species: fleas--12, ixodid ticks--2, gamasid mites--7, and myobiid mites--2 species. Among recorded species, 9 fleas species and some gamasid species are accidental parasites. These accidental ectoparasite species are common to the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus in the territory investigated. Species composition, occurrence and abundance indices of parasites changed during the year. In total, about 55% shrew specimens are infected with ectoparasites. The infracommunity of ectoparasites on the common shrew usually consists of 6 species or less. Mean number of all ectoparasite individuals per one host specimens varies from 4 to 83. The greatest number of parasites (50 and 83) was recorded on the shrews, which carried 5 and 4 parasites species, respectively. Biodiversity of parasite species in the ectoparasite community on the common shrew and the load of parasites per one host specimen are lower than those in the bank vole. In forest biotopes explored, the most part of temporary ectoparasite species found on the common shrew was also recorded on other small mammals, which could have contacts with this host. It is possible to conclude that among the parasite supracommunity in the explored ecosystem, the temporary ectoparasites represent a "fond" of temporary parasites, which are common for most small mammal species. A role of different shrew and rodent species as main of additional hosts changes depending on a population density of potential mammalian hosts and other environment factors.     

Une faune de petits mammiferes d'age turolien moyen(Miocene superieur) a Cucuron (Vaucluse); donnees nouvelles sur le genre Stephanomys (Rodentia) et consequences stratigraphiques

A small mammal fauna, including rodents and a new species of Murid, Stephanomys stadii n. sp., has been found in a continental formation underlying the deposits with the famous big mammal fauna of Mont Luberon. This fauna of small mammals is a little younger than the fauna of Los Mansuetos (Spain), so, the Pikermian fauna of Mont Luberon, which is said to be of the same age as the fauna of Pikermi is younger than the fauna of big and small mammals of Los Mansuetos.     

Tick-borne zoonotic bacteria in wild and domestic small mammals in northern Spain

The prevalence and diversity of tick-borne zoonotic bacteria (Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, and spotted fever group rickettsiae) infecting 253 small mammals captured in the Basque Country (Spain) were assessed using PCR and reverse line blot hybridization. Trapping sites were selected around sheep farms (study 1, 2000 to 2002) and recreational parks (study 2, 2003 to 2005). The majority of the studied mammals (162) were wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), but six other different species were also analyzed: yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), shrews (Crocidura russula and Sorex coronatus), bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), domestic mice (Mus domesticus), and moles (Talpa europaea). The results showed an infection rate ranging from 10.7% to 68.8%, depending on the small mammal species. One C. russula shrew and one A. sylvaticus mouse gave positive reactions for A. phagocytophilum, and C. burnetii was detected in two domestic mice and one A. sylvaticus mouse in a farm. The DNA of Borrelia spp. was detected in 67 animals (26.5%), most of them presenting positive hybridization with the probe for Borrelia sp. strain R57, the new Borrelia species previously detected in small mammals in our region. Furthermore, a second PCR and reverse line blot hybridization specific for B. burgdorferi sensu lato revealed the presence of Borrelia afzelii in 6.3% of C. glareolus voles and 14.3% of S. coronatus shrews. All small mammals were negative for spotted fever group rickettsiae. These results highlight the relevance of small mammals as reservoirs of some zoonotic bacteria.     

萧山围垦农区小型兽类种群动态的研究

１９８５年４月１９９２年１２月,作者采用夹夜法对萧山围垦农区小型兽类的种群动态进行了连续逐月定点定时的研究。种群的季节消长规律呈前峰型曲线的种群有黑线姬鼠、小家鼠和褐家鼠（室内）,呈后峰型曲线的种群有臭Ｑｕ和褐家鼠（室外）。黑线姬鼠季节消长规律与农区作物类型、小兽群落组成、冬季死亡率和怀孕率等因素有关,并受环境因子的影响。     

Structure of populations and ecological nishes of ectoparasites in the parasite communities of small forest mammals

The paper reports the results of eight-year investigations on the ectoparasites of rodents and insectivores carried out in southern taiga of the Ilmen-Volkhov lowland (Novgorod Region) and Kurgolovsky reserve (Leningrad Region). Twelve species of small mammals were captured including three dominate species--bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus (2722 specimens), common shrew Sorex araneus (1658 specimens), and wood mouse Apodemus uralensis (367 specimens). Parasite community of the bank vole comprises 34 species of mites, ticks, and insects, the community of common shrew comprises 25 species, and the community of A. uralensis includes 28 species. Taxonomic diversity of the ectoparasite communities was shown to be based on the diversity of types of parasitism and ecological nishes of the host body. Permanent ectoparasites are found to be represented by 2 species of lie and 14 species of acariform mites. The group of temporary parasites includes 13 species of fleas, 10 species of gamasid mites. 3 ixodid species and 1 Trombiculidae. There is a common pool of temporary parasites of small mammals in the ecological system of taiga. Significance of different shrew and rodent species as hosts were found to be dependent on the population density in possible hosts and many other factors. Species diversity in the parasite communities of different small mammal species is dependent on the number of possible ecological nishes in the host body. Actual infill of these nishes by ectoparasites is usually lesser than potential one. Species composition of temporary parasites, their occurrence and abundance changes according to season. Interspecific competition in the temporary parasite species can decrease because of the seasonal disjunction of their population peaks. Diversification of the ecological niches of ectoparasites allow simultaneous feeding of more parasite individuals on one host, than in the case of parasitising of single species or several species with similar ecological nishes. The distribution of parasites on their hosts was also studied. The aggregative distribution has been found in ixodid larvae only, and the distribution of fleas was close to the Poisson distribution. Deviations from the aggregative distribution can be an effect of several independent factors, including limited ability of small mammals for providing numerous parasites with food. On the most part of hosts simultaneous parasitizing of no more than 1-3 individuals of each tick, mite, and flea species was registered. Excessive infestation by ectoparasites may probably be limited by effective reactions of self-purification in the mammal hosts.     

Effects of urban habitat fragmentation on common small mammals: species versus communities

There is an increasing interest in understanding how species respond to the modifications of habitat attributes in urban areas. Patterns in the occurrence and abundance of small mammal communities in 15 isolated patches of remnant natural and semi-natural habitat of Porto Metropolitan Area (Portugal) were assessed against environmental characteristics (from both the patch and the surrounding matrix) of each patch using multiple regressions and canonical correspondence analysis. Four species of common small mammals were found: wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) and house mouse (Mus musculus). Our results showed that both relative abundance and species richness were negatively affected by urbanization. The species richness also displayed a negative association with the increase of forest around the patch but relative abundance showed the opposite trend. At the species level, the relative abundance of A. sylvaticus and C. russula showed a negative association with urbanization. Our results reveal that these two species also benefit from a mosaic of habitats and pervious areas in the surrounding matrix. The relative abundance of M. spretus and M. musculus showed a negative effect of forest area around the patch. Understanding how the increase of urbanization affects small mammals will be particularly useful for the managers of urban landscapes, as these animals occupy a pivotal position in the ecosystems.     

Ectoparasites of the particolored bat (Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758, Chiroptera,Mammalia) in the Urals and adjacent regions

The ectoparasite fauna on the most widespread synanthropic chiropteran species, the particolored bat (Vespertilio murinus L., 1758), is described from localities in the Urals and West Siberia. 86 individual bats have been examined, off which 463 ectoparasite specimens from 8 species have been collected. The species composition and ecology of these arthropods are analyzed. The core of the ectoparasite fauna on the particolored bat in the Urals has been found to consist of gamasine mites of the genus Steatonyssus.     

舟山岛东部地区小型兽类的群落组成与动态分析

１９９０年７月至１９９２年１２月在浙江舟山岛东部地区每月定点调查小型兽类的群落组成和数量动态。该地区可划分为室内、房周围、稻田区、山地和山林等五类生境的５个小兽群落。群落相似性指数以稻田区的黑线姬鼠＋黄毛鼠群落与山地的黑线姬鼠＋黄毛鼠群落最高,多样性指数和均匀性指数以房周围臭Ｑｕ＋黄毛鼠＋褐家鼠群落最高。各群落的全年数量动态可分为双峰型（室内和山地生境）与单峰型（其余３种生境）。对各群落种类组成的     

The relationships between Ixodes ricinus and small mammal species at the woodland–pasture interface

Ixodes ricinus, as vector, and small mammals, as reservoirs, are implicated in pathogen transmission between wild fauna, domestic animals and humans at the woodland–pasture interface. The ecological relationship between ticks and small mammals was monitored in 2005 on four bocage (enclosed pastureland) sites in central France, where questing ticks were collected by dragging and small mammals were trapped. Questing I. ricinus tick and small mammal locations in the environment were assessed through correspondence analysis. I. ricinus larval burden on small mammals was modeled using a negative binomial law. The correspondence analyses underlined three landscape features: grassland, hedgerow, and woodland. Seven small mammal species were trapped, while questing ticks were all I. ricinus, with the highest abundance in woodland and the lowest in pasture. The small mammals were overall more abundant in hedgerow, less present in woodland and sparse in grassland. They carried mainly I. ricinus, and secondarily I. acuminatus and I. trianguliceps. The most likely profile for a tick-infested small mammal corresponded to a male wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in woodland or hedgerow during a dry day. A. sylvaticus, which was the only species captured in grassland, but was also present in hedgerow and woodland, may be a primary means of transfer of I. ricinus larvae from woodland to pasture.     

中国云南部分人间鼠疫流行区蚤类区系调查(英文)

归纳了中国云南 13个人间鼠疫流行区的调查资料 ,对调查疫区的蚤类区系进行了研究。总计捕获12 0 77只小兽 ,隶属啮齿目、食虫目及攀目 3个目中的 9科、2 9属、4 7种。从小兽体表共采获 9369只蚤 ,经分类鉴定 ,隶属 5科、18属、33种。 33种蚤及 4 7种小兽宿主均按其分类阶元详细列于文末。结果表明 ,山区蚤及小兽宿主的种数明显多于坝区。坝区农耕地的优势种相对简单 ,优势种地位突出 ,黄胸鼠及印鼠客蚤分别是最重要的宿主及蚤种 (构成比分别为 83 2 7%和 75 32 % )。山区的优势种相对较复杂 ,优势种的种类较多 ,但其构成比较低 ( 10 96%～ 4 7 95% )。黄胸鼠及绒鼠为山区地带的两种优势宿主 ,缓慢细蚤、端凹栉眼蚤、印鼠客蚤、偏远古蚤及短突栉眼蚤为山区地带的 5种优势蚤种。多数蚤种可寄生两种以上的小兽宿主 ,但其所寄生的主要宿主并不多。结果提示 ,作为疫区主要媒介的印鼠客蚤及其所对应的主要寄生宿主 (黄胸鼠 )在坝区突出的优势种地位 ,似可解释近年疫区的鼠疫病人主要出现在坝区的原因     

Mammal density and patterns of ectoparasite species richness and abundance

Patterns of species richness, prevalence and abundance of ectoparasites have rarely been investigated at both the levels of populations and species of hosts. Here, we investigated the effects in changes in small mammal density on species richness, abundance and prevalence of ectoparasitic fleas. The comparative analyses were conducted for different small mammal species and among several populations during a long-term survey. We tested the hypothesis that an increase in host density should be linked with an increase in parasite species richness both among host species and among populations within host species, as predicted by epidemiological models. We also used host species density data from literature. We found that host density has a major influence on the species richness of ectoparasite communities of small mammals among host populations. We found no relationship between data of host density from the literature and parasite species richness. In contrast with epidemiological hypotheses, we found no relationships between abundance, or prevalence, and host density, either among host species or among host populations. Moreover, a decrease in abundance of fleas in relation with an increase in host density was observed for two mammal species (Apodemus agrarius and A. flavicollis). The decrease or the lack of increase in flea abundance in relation with an increase in host density suggests anti-parasitic behavioural activities such as grooming.     

四川九寨沟自然保护区兽类调查

2002 年至2003 年, 对九寨沟自然保护区兽类进行了6 次野外考察。调查确认, 保护区有兽类78 种, 其中东洋界种类50 种, 古北界种类25 种, 广布种3 种; 有10 种分布型。保护区兽类物种分布体现了较高的南北类群渗透性和残遗性; 有20 种国家I、II 级保护动物, 其中I 级6 种, 珍稀性较明显; 有四川林跳鼠、四川毛尾睡鼠、沟牙田鼠等稀有小型种类; 随着海拔增加, 兽类分布呈现古北界种类增多, 东洋界种类减少的趋势, 但在海拔3 200～3 600 m , 古北界和东洋界种类都仍然丰富, 仍然表现出区系的过渡性特征。     

甘肃莲花山秋季森林小型哺乳类群落结构初步研究

对甘肃省莲花山自然保护区秋季森林小型哺乳类群落的种类组成、多样性和生物量进行了初步研究共捕获7种138只,其中洮州绒鼾、大林姬鼠、中国鼩鼱为群落优势种。区系组成上,东洋界物种偏多。洮州绒鼾、大林姬鼠两种的生物量占绝对优势,水份可能足决定研究区域群落生物量的重要因素。     

Patterns of parasite species richness of Western Palaeartic micro-mammals: island effects

We investigate the patterns of parasite species richness of small mammals of the Western Palaearctic, and the effects of insularity. We compiled 28 studies dealing with 16 species of mammals. There was a significant effect of area size on the total parasite species richness, controlling for host sample size. Four mammal species were sufficiently sampled. Two are associated with humans: Mus musculus, and Rattus rattus , and two are not associated with humans, Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glaerolus. We show that there is an effect of insularity on parasite species richness of A. sylvaticus . Rodents associated with humans show no effect of insularity on parasite species richness. These rodents appear to reflect a more complex pattern of parasite species richness, probably because of their close association with humans. Host specificity of parasites significantly decreases on islands, with the exception of Rattus rattus . We use parasitological data in order to explore the geographical connections between host populations. We show that parasites may help to resolve these connections but we emphasise that parasites are better geographic than phylogenetic markers.     

Small mammals in new farm woodlands

A number of recently planted farm woodlands, along with adjacent agricultural land and hedgerows were surveyed using live traps to compare their importance for small mammals. Small mammal numbers were far higher in newly planted woodlands than in both hedgerows and agricultural land. Seven species were trapped in farm woods compared with five in hedgerows and two in agricultural land. The most frequently trapped species in the establishing woodlands was the harvest mouse Micromys minutus, followed by the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus. The potential importance of newly planted farm woodlands for small mammals is discussed.     

Living on the verge: are roads a more suitable refuge for small mammals than streams in Mediterranean pastureland?

The retention of natural habitat corridors is a useful and practical conservation tool that can attenuate the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on wildlife. Linear structures may contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by providing additional habitats for small fauna living in highly modified environments. We assessed the importance of road verges as refuge areas for small mammals, in highly intensified grazed pastures, within a Mediterranean landscape and compared the role of road verges as refuges with that of riparian galleries, which have been described as important shelter locations for small fauna. For this purpose, a small mammal trapping study was undertaken on two road verges and beside two small streams in southern Portugal. We captured 457 individuals of five different species, with Mus spretus the most common species captured, followed by Crocidura russula. Captures were 4.6-fold higher immediately beside both roads and streams than 12 m away in the surrounding matrix. Individuals captured in the matrix presented a smaller body size and lower body condition, suggesting that this suboptimal habitat is occupied mainly by subadults. M. spretus was 46% more abundant by roads than by streams, while C. russula was present in similar numbers in both habitats. M. spretus individuals were larger near streams but exhibited no difference in body condition between habitats. C. russula had a better body condition and slightly higher body lengths at roadsides. Our results show that roadside verges in intensively grazed Mediterranean landscapes act as important refuges and constitute equally vital habitats for small mammals as do riparian vegetation strips in landscapes where other suitable habitats are scarce.     

Distribution of gamasid mites on small mammals in Yunnan Province, China

An investigation of gamasid mites on the body surface of small mammals was carried out in Yunnan Province of China from 1990 to 2004. The small mammal hosts were captured from 25 counties which represent five geographical subregions, namely Middle Subregion of Hengduan Mountains, Southern Subregion of Hengduan Mountains, Eastern Plateau Subregion of Yunnan, Western Plateau Subregion of Yunnan and Southern Moun- tainous Subregion of Yunnan. The captured 10 803 small mammal hosts belong to nine families, 29 genera and 52 species in four orders （Rodentia, Insectivora, Scandentia and Lagomorpha）. A total of 68 571 gamasid mites were collected from the body surface of the captured small mammal hosts and all the gamasid mites were identified to 10 families, 33 genera and 112 species. This paper lists all the mite species, together with their taxonomic position （genera and families） and their corresponding hosts. Much more mite species were found in the Middle Subregion of Hengduan Mountains than in other geographical subregions. The total individuals of mites and small mammals in the Middle Subregion of Hengduan Mountains are also the most plentiful in the five geographical subregions. Three dominant mite species and three dominant small mammal hosts were determined as the dominant species in the investigated areas of Yunnan Province. The dominant hosts are Rattus flavipectus （which accounts for 34.85% of the total individuals）, Apodemus chevrieri （13.43%） and Rattus norvegicus （10.40%） while the dominant gamasid mite species are Laelaps nuttalli （Hirst, 1915） （27.84%）, Laelaps echidninus （Berlese, 1887） （18.38%） and Laelaps guizhouensis （Gu et Wang, 1981） （14.79%）. The results showed the high species diversity of gamasid mites in Yunnan Province and the uneven distribution feature in different subregions.