Study on ecology of small mammals and their ectoparasites in six areas of Sichuan province, China

Objective To gather the basic information of small mammals and their ectoparasites in Sichuan province, China,including species composition, predominant species, and parasitism, and to explore the public health and veterinary significance of the investigation.MethodsSmall mammals were captured alive with baited mouse traps in 6 areas of Sichuan province. All the ectoparasites of the hosts were thoroughly collected. Small mammals and ectoparasites were identified and classified separately. The composition ratio(C), prevalence(P), and average ectoparasite abundance(A) were determined to reflect the prevalence and density of ectoparasites.ResultsA total of 447 small mammals were caught in the 6 areas of Sichuan, belonging to 7 species, 6 genera, 2 families, and 2 orders. Apodemus agrarius and Anourosorex squamipes were the predominant species in studied areas. Of the 282 individuals of A. squamipes and 165 rodents identified in this study, 376(84.12%) were infested with 55 species of ectoparasites, including 33 species of chigger mites, 15 species of gamasid mites, 5 species of fleas, and 2 species ofsucking louses.ConclusionThere are diverse ectoparasites on small mammals in this study. Fourteen species of ectoparasites were reported to be related to human diseases. Small mammals are highly potential natural reservoirs of Yesinia pestis,hemorrhagic fever viruses,scrub typhus,etc., of which the public health significance should be concerned.