2011 NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST 18(4):527–533 New Ectoparasite Records for Bats in West Virginia and a Review of Previous Records Nicholas S. Gikas1,*, Dale W. Sparks2, John O. Whitaker, Jr.1, and Joseph S. Johnson3 Abstract. - We collected ectoparasites from 5 Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Myotis) and 12 Myotis leibii (Eastern Small-Footed Myotis) captured in Grant County, WV during summer 2008. We recovered Euschoengastia pipistrelli from Northern Myotis and Leptotrombidium myotis, Androlaelaps casalis, Cryptonysuss desultorius, and Ornithodorus kelleyi from Eastern Small-Footed Myotis. This is the first report of parasites from either bat in West Virginia, and each ectoparasite species collected represents a new state host locality record, with C. desultorius and O. kelleyi being new state records. Because records of ectoparasites are often widely scattered and both bats have undergone extensive taxonomic revision, we summarize all available records of ectoparasites from both species of bats. Introduction Ectoparasites may affect fitness of hosts by increasing mortality and decreasing reproductive opportunities (Hart 1992). Previous research has suggested that bats with higher ectoparasite loads have lower weight (Giorgi et al. 2001), groom more frequently (ter Hofstede and Fenton 2005), and switch roosts more often (Bartonicka and Gaisler 2007; Ellison et al. 2007; Lewis 1996; Reckardt and Kerth 2006, 2007). As such, an understanding of the ectoparasite fauna of bats is a critical element of understanding their ecology. Although ectoparasites have been reported from some small mammals in West Virginia (Joy and Briscoe 1994, Joy et al. 1973), these only include Trichobius corynorhini Cockerell (Bat Fly) from Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus Handley (Virginia Big-Eared Bats) (Whitaker 1957) and the mites Acanthophthirius caudatus Banks, Leptotrombidium myotis Ewing, Euschoengastia pipistrelli Brennan, Spinturnix americanus Banks, and Macronyssus unidens Radovsky from Myotis lucifugus LeConte (Little Brown Bats) and Steatonyssus occidentalis Ewing from an undetermined species (Radovsky 1967, Rudnick 1960, Whitaker and Wilson 1974, Whitaker et al. 2007). Because few mites have been reported from this state (Radovsky 1967, Rudnick 1960, Whitaker and Wilson 1974, Whitaker et al. 2007, Yunker 1958), we examined 17 bats that were captured as part of a survey for the federally endangered Myotis sodalis Miller and Allen (Indiana Myotis). 1Center for North American Bat Research and Conservation, Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809. 2Environmental Solutions and Innovations, 781 Neeb Road, Cincinnati, OH 45233. 3215 Thomas Poe Cooper Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546. *Corresponding author - ngikas@indstate.edu. 528 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 18, No. 4 Field-Site Description The study took place along the ridgeline of New Creek Mountain, located in Grant and Mineral counties, WV. New Creek Mountain is predominantly forested with mixed hardwood and softwood stands. Dominant tree species include Quercus coccinea Muenchh. (Scarlet Oak), Nyssa sylvatica Marshall (Black Gum), Acer rubrum L. (Red Maple), Q. velutina Lam. (Black Oak), Q. prinus L. (Chestnut Oak), and Q. alba L. (White Oak) on xeric and subxeric south- to southwestern-facing slopes. Mesic to submesic locations on eastern and southeastern slopes are dominated by A. saccharum Marshall (Sugar Maple), Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American Beech), Liriodendron tulipifera L. (Tuliptree), Betula lenta L. (Sweet Birch), Q. rubra L. (Northern Red Oak), and White Oak. Non-forested landcover consists of sandstone talus slopes, small man-made clearings, forest roads, and transmission lines. Talus slopes are limited to two general areas: the western slope of the mountain, and the base of a large vertical cliff marking the southern terminus of the ridgeline. Methods Bats were captured in 38-mm-diameter nylon mist nets (Avinet, Inc., Dryden, NY) placed over forest roads, ponds, and ephemeral road ruts. Two nets were deployed per net-site, and a total of 12 net-sites were sampled on two evenings each. Nets were opened 30 minutes before sunset and remained open for at least 5 hours after sunset. Nets were visited every 5 minutes and checked with a flashlight. Each captured bat was removed from the net and placed by itself in a cloth holding bag, which was laundered after each use to prevent cross-contamination of ectoparasites and diseases. Age, sex, reproductive status, right forearm length, and mass of each bat were recorded. Bats were aged as adult or juvenile by examining ephiphyseal-diaphyseal fusions (calcification) of long bones in the wing (Brunet-Rossinni and Wilkinson 2009), and females were determined to be non-reproductive, pregnant, or lactating based on the presence of a fetus or teat condition (Racey 2009). Ectoparasites were collected during 4 nights of sampling using techniques described by Ritzi (2004). Bats were restrained, and the dorsal and ventral surfaces were examined for ectoparasites. Parasites were counted, and vouchers removed with forceps. Voucher specimens of parasites were stored in 70% ethanol for transport to the ectoparasite depository of the Indiana State University Vertebrate Collection (ISUVC). Upon arrival at ISUVC, parasites were slide mounted in PVA medium (Bioquip, Cape May, NJ) and identified using available keys and literature (Radovsky 1967, Whitaker 1982), with vouchers identifications confirmed by J.O. Whitaker. We followed Bush et al. (1997) in reporting parasite numbers as prevalence and mean intensity, and in recognizing host locality records as the first time a parasite has been reported from a particular host at a particular location. Results We captured and examined 12 individuals of Myotis leibii Audubon and Bachman (Eastern Small-Footed Myotis) and 5 of Myotis septentrionalis 2011 N.S. Gikas, D.W. Sparks, J.O. Whitaker, Jr., and J.S. Johnson 529 Table 1. Ectoparasites discovered on Myotis leibii and M. septentrionalis are presented here, including the number of infected bats/total examined (total number of parasites recovered), prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance of each species of ectoparasite. Mean Species Number Prevalence (%) intensity Abundance Myotis leibii Acari Androlaelaps casalis Burlese 1/12 (3) 8 3.00 0.25 Cryptonysuss desultorius Radovsky 2/12 (4) 17 2.00 0.33 Leptotrombidium myotis Ewing 8/12 (57) 67 7.13 4.75 Ornithodorus kelleyi Cooley and Kohls 1/12 (1) 8 1.00 0.08 Myotis septentrionalis Acari Euschoengastia pipistrelli Brennan 4/5(82) 80 21.50 17.20 Trouessart (Northern Myotis). Five species of ectoparasites were found (Table 1). Eastern Small-Footed Myotis hosted Leptotrombidium myotis (prevalence = 67%, mean intensity = 7.13), Androlaelaps casalis (prevalence = 8%, mean intensity = 3.0), Cryptonyssus desultorius (prevalence = 17%, mean intensity = 2.0), and, on one bat face, Ornithodorus kelleyi (prevalence = 8%, mean intensity = 1.0). Most L. myotis were located on the ears and tragi, although others were found on the wings of bats. Androlaelaps casalis and C. desultorius were found either on the wings or body of M. leibii. The chigger Euschoengastia pipistrelli (prevalence = 80%, mean intensity = 21.5) was the only ectoparasite found on Northern Myotis, with most located on the ears and tragi of the bats, although a few were found around the mouth. Discussion Each ectoparasite species collected represents a new state host locality record, with previous records for each bat species summarized in Table 2. The results of this review indicate that West Virginia has been overlooked by chiropteran ectoparasitologists. Unfortunately, this is typical for most states, with the notable exceptions of Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Texas, and Utah (Whitaker and Wilson 1974, Whitaker et al. 2007). This study is the largest sample of Eastern Small- Footed Myotis to be examined for ectoparasites, and the first such sample from the United States (Table 2). Jones (1998) reported L. myotis from a sample of 9 Eastern Small-Footed Myotis in Ontario. The discovery of A. casalis on Eastern Small-Footed Myotis represents only the second report of this mite parasitizing a bat (Whitaker et al. 2007). Previously, A. casalis had been documented on Tadarida brasiliensis Geoffroy (Mexican Free-Tailed Bat), but it is also associated with many other mammal species (Whitaker et al. 2007). We also report C. desultorius, O. kelleyi, E. pipistrelli, and L. myotis as new state records, and this review marks the farthest east C. desultorius has been found, as it is previously known from Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Washington and has been reported from Eptesicus fuscus Beauvois (Big Brown Bat), Myotis californicus Audubon and Bachman 530 Northeastern Naturalist Vol. 18, No. 4 Table 2. Summary of parasitic records for Myotis leibii and M. septentrionalis including new records reported herein. Locality indicates US state or Canadian province. Host/parasite Locality Citation Myotis leibii Acari Androlaelaps casalis Berlese West Virginia This study Cryptonyssus desultorius Radovsky West Virginia This study Euschongastia hamiltoni Brennan New York Brennan 1947 Leptotrombidium myotis Ewing Ontario Jones 1998 West Virginia This study Tennessee Neuhauser 1971 Macronyssus crosbyi Ewing Missouri Radovsky 1967 Ornithodorus kelleyi Cooley & Kohls West Virginia This study Spinturnix americanus Banks Locality unknown Rudnick 1960 Myotis septentrionalis Acari Acanthophthirius gracilis Fain & Indiana Fain and Whitaker 1976, Ritzi Whitaker and Whitaker 2003, Ritzi 2004 Illinois Whitaker and Winter 1977 Demodex sp. Indiana Ritzi 2004 Euschoengastia pipistrelli Brennan Kansas Jones et al. 1952, Loomis 1956 Indiana Whitaker 1973, 1982; Whitaker and Loomis 1979 Pennsylvania Farrell 1956 Tennessee Reeves et al. 2007 Illinois Whitaker and Winter 1977 Arkansas Sealander and Young 1955 Alabama Brennan and White 1960 Eutrombicula alfreddugesi Oudemans Alabama Brennan and White 1960 Leptotrombidium myotis Ewing Ontario Jones 1998 Nova Scotia Poissant and Broders 2008 South Dakota Jones and Genoways 1967 Wyoming Turner 1974 Macronyssus crosbyi Ewing Illinois Radovsky 1967, Whitaker and Winter 1977 Tennessee Reeves et al. 2007 Michigan Dood and Kurta 1982, 1988 Kansas Sparks et al. 2003 Indiana Ritzi 2004, Ritzi and Whitaker 2003, Whitaker 1982 Olabidocarpus whitakeri McDanial Indiana Ritzi 2004, Whitaker 1973 & Coffman Ornithodorus kelleyi Cooley Pennsylvania Dick et al. 2003 Indiana Ritzi 2004 Spinturnix americanus Banks Maine Rudnick 1960 Indiana Ritzi 2004, Whitaker 1982, Whitaker and Wilson 1974, West Virginia This study Steatonyssus ceratognathus Ewing Indiana Ritzi 2004 Insecta Cimex adjunctus Barber South Dakota Jones and Genoways 1967 Indiana Ritzi 2004 Myodopsylla insignis Rothschild Pennsylvania Dick et al. 2003 Indiana Ritzi 2004 2011 N.S. Gikas, D.W. Sparks, J.O. Whitaker, Jr., and J.S. Johnson 531 (California Myotis), M. velifer Allen (Cave Myotis), and Parastrellus hesperus Allen (Western Pipistrelle) (Whitaker and Wilson 1974, Whitaker et al. 2007). Unfortunately, most researchers rarely consider opportunities to collect data about ectoparasites, in part because many historical techniques have focused on collecting parasites from dead hosts. Our technique allowed bats to be released unharmed after examination, but it is not effective at detecting the smaller and also the most cryptic ectoparasites, which are best detected by microscopic examination of dead bats (Ritzi 2004, Whitaker 1982). The visual examination technique we used should be considered by those capturing and handling live bats, but efforts should also target obtaining fresh carcasses (such as those found under wind energy facilities or submitted for rabies testing) for microscopic examination. 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