关键词: 印鼠客蚤, 群体超寄生, 黄胸鼠, 鼠疫

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the aggregation characteristics of rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) on Asian house rats (Rattus tanezumi) and to provide scientific basis for plague control. Methods We collected fleas from live-trapped rats and calculated two infestation indices: flea prevalence and average flea abundance. Results A total of 73 rats were trapped from four survey sites along the Lancang River in Jinghong, Yunnan, and from these rats we collected 1 169 rat fleas. There were 1 056 fleas in a single survey site called Manfeilong Reservoir Fish Fry Field, with a flea prevalence of 95.45% and an overall average flea abundance of 48.00, showing an unusually super parasitic phenomenon. Moreover, we also found that the sex ratio of the fleas in this study was male-predominant, very different from previous reports (from either field surveys or lab breeding populations). Conclusion Since high densities of rat (R. tanezumi) and flea (X. cheopis) represent an increased risk in zoonotic plague prevalence, we suggest that there is a considerable high probability in causing the human plague in Jinghong, and local government and disease control department should be highly cautious about it.

Key words: Xenopsylla cheopis, Super parasite, Rattus tanezumi, Plague