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

Authors: MAESTAS, SARAH - University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Tidwell, Jason; Zavala, Manuel; GOOLSBY, JOHN - Retired ARS Employee; Maestas, Lauren

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Wildlife are hosts for parasites such as fleas and ticks that may transmit human and animal pathogens. Little is known about the ecology of many parasite species from south Texas, or their role in pathogen maintenance and transmission. Much attention has been given to the role of nilgai antelope in south Texas as cattle fever tick hosts and their ability to spread ticks, but little attention has been given to other parasite species that may utilize nilgai antelope as hosts. South Texas is a hot-spot for flea-borne typhus, therefore it is important to examine flea species presence and abundance, and host use in this region. Fleas were opportunistically collected from wildlife hosts during depredation activities or during handling in the course of other research activities in several south Texas counties. A total of nine wildlife species were sampled, from which three flea species were identified. A total of 99 javelina fleas were collected from nilgai, coyotes, bobcats, javelina, feral swine, and a black-tailed jackrabbit. Nine rabbit fleas were collected from cottontail rabbits, and one sticktight flea was collected from a raccoon. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of fleas from nilgai antelope. Javelina fleas, though often considered a specialist species, was collected from a wide range of hosts, including two (nilgai antelope and black-tailed jackrabbit) that represent a new host record for this species. The role of javelina fleas as a pathogen vector is unknown, but its apparent abundance in this region warrants further investigation.

Technical Abstract: Wildlife are hosts for ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks that may act as vectors of human and animal pathogens. Little is known about the ecology of many ectoparasite species native to south Texas, or their role in pathogen maintenance and transmission. Much attention has been given to the role of introduced nilgai antelope in south Texas as cattle fever tick hosts and agents of dispersal, but little attention has been given to other ectoparasite species that may utilize nilgai antelope as hosts. As south Texas is a hot-spot for murine typhus, it is important to examine flea species presence and abundance and host use in this region. Fleas were opportunistically collected from wildlife hosts during depredation activities or during handling in the course of other research activities in several south Texas counties. A total of nine wildlife species were sampled, from which three flea species were identified. A total of 99 Pulex porcinus were collected from nilgai, coyotes, bobcats, javelina, feral swine, and a black-tailed jackrabbit. Nine Euhoplopsyllus glacialis were collected from cottontail rabbits, and one Echidnophaga gallinacea was collected from a raccoon. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of fleas from nilgai antelope. Pulex porcinus, though often considered a specialist species, was collected from a wide range of hosts, including two (nilgai antelope and black-tailed jackrabbit) that represent a new host record for this species. The role of P. porcinus as a pathogen vector is unknown, but its apparent abundance in this region warrants further investigation.