Analysis of COI gene, prevalence, and intensity of the bat fly Cyclopodia greeffi on roosting straw-coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum in Southwest Nigeria

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.06.003
• Publication Date: 2023-06-15T21:53:26Z
• Authors: Oluwatosin Ebenez...; Iyabo Victoria Ol...; Oyeshina Gideon O...; Damilare Iyinkris...; Oladipo Olarinre ...; Tolulope Mary Ogu...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Insecta; Arthropoda; Eidolon helvum; Diptera; bats; bat; Biodiversity; Article; COI gene; 03 medical and health sciences; Parasite intensity; QL1-991; Chiroptera; Cyclopodia greeffi; Mammalia; Hippoboscidae; Animalia; Adult sex ratio; Nycteribiidae; Chordata; Zoology; Taxonomy

We investigated ectoparasite diversity, interspecific infestation rates and host preference in roosting fruit bats, Eidolon helvum, from Bowen University, Southwest Nigeria. Fur of captured E. helvum were sampled monthly for ectoparasites January 2021 to June 2022. examined a total 231 observed significant female male adult sex ratio (0.22:1); with 53.9% ectoparasitic rate. identified enumerated the ectoparasite; subjected its Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene phylogenetic analysis other nycteribiids. COI sequences obtained formed distinct clade C. greeffi sequences. recovered 319 (149 170 male) balanced 0.88:1. Ectoparasitic distribution had no association season. Prevalence was significantly higher during wet season, but not between sexes helvum. The intensity infestation, 3.7 ± 0.4 individuals per bat, season bimodal seasonal distribution. strongly male-biased influence on metapopulation ratio.