Publication: Ectoparasites of hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey
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Date
2015-07-01
Authors
Girişgin, Ahmet Onur
Şenlik, Bayram
Aydın, Levent
Çırak, Veil Yılgör
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Schluetersche Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh & Co Kg
Abstract
Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal, spiny-coated animals that have been growing in popularity as exotic pets. However, these animals are host to a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, some of which are of zoonotic character. Thus, because hedgehogs have a potential role to transmit zoonoses including arthropod-borne diseases, we examined them for their ectoparasites. The study was carried out on hedgehogs found dead mainly due to road casualties in the Bursa province of Turkey. The ectoparasites were collected by both insecticide spraying of the body and inspection on a white paper carefully. Totally three species of ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma aegyptium, Haemaphysalis parva) and one flea species (Archeopsylla erinacei) were detected. The prevalence of mixed infestation with both ticks and fleas was 45.5%. Haemaphysalis parva was reported for the first time from hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) in Turkey. The occurrence of ectoparasites and their potential role as vectors of certain zoonotic diseases are briefly discussed.
Description
Keywords
White-breasted hedgehog, Hemorrhagic-fever virus, Tick, Ixodidae, Agents, Acari, Fleas, Area, Hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor, Ectoparasites, Turkey, Science & technology, Life sciences & biomedicine, Veterinary sciences