Geographic distribution and composition of the parasite assemblage of the insectivorous bat, Miniopterus natalensis (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae), in South Africa

All free-living animal species have their own unique parasite assemblages. These parasites can have a significant impact on the fitness and ecology of their hosts, and through them the ecological systems in which they occur. Gaining knowledge about these parasites offers important information on the biology, systematics and phylogenies of their hosts. During this study the following were collected: flea, fly, mite, tick and helminth species from 96 Natal Long-Fingered bat (Miniopterus natalensis Smith, 1834) individuals sampled from seven localities across South Africa. This study aimed to both identify the species forming part of this parasite assemblage, and attempted to explain the distribution of the parasites and the factors influencing it.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Wood, Simon

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jacobs, David S

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11224

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11224