The mite Dentocarpus silvai (Acari, chirodiscidae) as a parasite of the bat Molossus molossus (Chiroptera, molossidae) in southeastern Brazil

Factors that influence the parasite load in a host bat include sex, age, reproductive condition, health, and body condition. Among the ectoparasitic mites found on bats, species from the family Chirodiscidae are commonly observed on molossid bats. This study aimed to analyse the parasitism of Dentocarpus silvai on Molossus molossus in two roosts, discussing the ecology of the host-ectoparasite relationship. We sampled a colony of M. molossus sheltering in the roof lining of a house and in the hollow of a Mangifera indica tree located on Itacuru & ccedil;& aacute; Island, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. A total of 495 D. silvai were collected from 176 M. molossus. Parasitological indices (mean intensity and prevalence) were higher in the tree hollow than in the roof lining, with females being more heavily parasitized than males. Among the six models evaluated, bat abundance best explained the variation in the number of mites. The dispersal success and infestation of D. silvai are associated with roost commuting by individuals (mainly females) of M. molossus that favours the infestation of new bats, which may extend the parasite occurrence. The present study is the first to analyse the infestation of D. silvai on a host species.