Ecto and Endo Parasites of Bats in Kalleri, Galchhi Rural Municipality, Dhading Nepal

Abstract

Bats are nocturnal mammals found everywhere except in the Antarctica and Arctic regions. They are important for the maintenance of the ecosystem in terms of pollination and seed dispersal, particularly in tropical regions as well as in controlling insect population that would otherwise pests. Bats have been reported as reservoir hosts for several pathogens including viruses such as Ebola, Nipah, Hendra and Lyssa. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of ecto and endoparasites of bats (Megaderma lyra and Eonycteris speleae). Fourty four bats were captured using mist nets, at two different locations (Chamero Cave and Chamero Thok) in Kalleri, Galchhi Rural Municipality, Dhading, Nepal from 11 May 2017 to 14 June 2017. Ectoparasites were collected with the help of forceps and preserved in a vial containing 70% alcohol. Fecal sample were taken with the help of forceps and preserved in Potassium dichromate solution and examined by direct smear, flotation concentration and sedimentation concentration methods for examination of helminth parasites. The Megaderma lyra was found to harbor a three species of ectoparasites Trichobius sp., Ischnopsyllus sp. and Spinturnix sp. with predominant Trichobius sp. While the Eonycteris speleae was found to harbor five species of ectoparasites Trichobius sp., Ischnopsyllus sp., Spinturnix sp., Basilia sp. and Ancystropus sp. with predominant Basilia sp. From fecal examination, bat species of both study area were found to be infected with high prevalence of endoparasites. The Megaderma lyra was found to be infected with three species of endoparasites Hymenolepis sp., ascarid and hookwoom. While the Eonycteris speleae was found to be infected with four species of endoparasites Hymenolepis sp., ascarid, hookworm and strongylid. The bats play important roles in the ecosystem and transmission of zoonotic diseases as they harbor vast range of parasites, further studies would be required to understand the bat parasite disease dynamics.