Infestation and seasonal fluctuation of chigger mites on the Southeast Asian house rat (Rattus brunneusculus) in southern Yunnan Province, China

Yan Lv; Xianguo Guo; Daochao Jin; Wenyu Song; Peiying Peng; Hao Lin; Rong Fan; Chengfu Zhao; Zhiwei Zhang; Keyu Mao; Tijun Qian; Wenge Dong; Zhihua Yang

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife (Apr 2021)

Infestation and seasonal fluctuation of chigger mites on the Southeast Asian house rat (Rattus brunneusculus) in southern Yunnan Province, China

Yan Lv,
Xianguo Guo,
Daochao Jin,
Wenyu Song,
Peiying Peng,
Hao Lin,
Rong Fan,
Chengfu Zhao,
Zhiwei Zhang,
Keyu Mao,
Tijun Qian,
Wenge Dong,
Zhihua Yang

Affiliations

Yan Lv: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China; Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, the Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management in Mountainous Region, Guiyang, 550025, China
Xianguo Guo: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China; Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, the Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management in Mountainous Region, Guiyang, 550025, China; Corresponding author. Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China.
Daochao Jin: Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, the Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management in Mountainous Region, Guiyang, 550025, China
Wenyu Song: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Peiying Peng: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Hao Lin: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Rong Fan: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Chengfu Zhao: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Zhiwei Zhang: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Keyu Mao: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Tijun Qian: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Wenge Dong: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China
Zhihua Yang: Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, 671000, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14
pp. 141 – 149

Abstract

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Chigger mites are the common ectoparasites of rodents and the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. The Southeast Asian house rat (Rattus brunneusculus) is an important reservoir host and infectious source of some zoonoses including scrub typhus. From April 2016 to March 2017, a 12-month consecutive investigation was made at Jingha village in southern Yunnan of China, which is an important focus of scrub typhus. The infestation and seasonal fluctuation of chigger mites on R. brunneusculus were studied based on the investigation. From 2,053 captured R. brunneusculus, a total of 99,221 chiggers were collected and identified as comprising 102 species with very high species diversity. The richness (S), diversity index (H′), evenness (E) and dominance index (D) of the chigger community on the rat varied in different months. Of the 102 chigger species, five main species accounted for 84.81% of the total chiggers (84,147/99,221). The five main chiggers were Walchia (W.) micropelta (32.65%), Ascoschoengastia indica (24.68%), Leptotrombidium (L.) deliense (19.02%), W. (W.) turmalis (4.63%) and L. (L.) scutellare (3.83%). Of the five chigger species, L. (L.) deliense and L. (L.) scutellare are the most important vectors of scrub typhus in China. The five chigger species showed different patterns of seasonal fluctuation. The seasonal fluctuation of L. (L.) deliense belonged to summer-autumn type with the highest peak in July, but L.(L.) scutellare mainly appeared in winter and spring with the peak from January to February. The temperature and rainfall were two key factors which influenced the seasonal fluctuation of chigger mites.

Published in International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

ISSN: 2213-2244 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-for-parasitology-parasites-and-wildlife/

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