Flea infestation on small wild mammals in Gharyan, Northwest Libya

BACKGROUND: Fleas play a major role as vectors for many pathogens that affect humans and livestock. Wild animals, especially wild rodents, are the most important hosts, acting as reservoir hosts for many flea species and pathogens. AIM: This study aimed to identify seasonality and hosts of fleas that parasitize small wild mammals in Gharyan, north-western Libya. METHODS: Fleas were collected from seasonally infested hosts from summer 2017 to winter 2018. RESULTS: This survey identified three flea species: Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis. Pulex irritans was collected from porcupines, X. cheopis from hedgehogs and jerboas, whereas L. segnis from gundis. The highest flea prevalence was in porcupines (35.00%) and the lowest was in gundis (11.11%). The highest intensity was in porcupines (10.43 ± 4.37), and the lowest was in jerboas (1.28 ± 0.24). The highest mean flea abundance was among porcupines of 3.65, whereas in hedgehogs, jerboas and gundis were less than 0.50 flea/host. Pulex irritans was collected during all seasons, while X. cheopis was collected during all seasons except winter, whereas L. segnis was collected only in spring. CONCLUSION: The finding in this study has increased our awareness that small wild mammals can act as hosts for medically important flea species. All collected flea species have a great specialty in choosing their hosts. Flea intensity is affected by seasonal variations.