Finding the Right Host in the Darkness of the Cave—New Insights into the Ecology and Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Hyperparasitic Fungi (Arthrorhynchus nycteribiae, Laboulbeniales)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00248-025-02521-4
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T16:15:13Z
• Authors: J. Burazerović; M. Jovanović; Ž. Savković; K. Breka; M. Stupar
• Keywords: Darkness; Ecophysiology

The aim of this study was to determine the presence hyperparasitic fungus Arthrorhynchus nycteribiae and analyze its spatio-temporal pattern in two bat flies (Penicillidia conspicua P. dufourii) parasitizing on bats. We collected 612 samples from 400 bats 20 caves Central Balkans. Hyperparasite identified based morphological molecular analyses rDNA genes (LSU SSU). A. reported for first time Bosnia Herzegovina Montenegro, confirmed Serbia. Of sites examined, we found at 11 sites. prevalence infection examined approximately 17%. Miniopterus schreibersii harbored highest number only species hosting infected conspicua. Our results showed significant differences patterns during different seasons: with fungi summer season (23%) lowest spring (2%). Female fly hosts a significantly higher than male flies. This makes an important contribution knowledge distribution understanding complex parasite-host relationships poorly studied areas