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1 April 2006 The Flea, Megabothris abantis: An Invertebrate Host of Hepatozoon sp. and a Likely Definitive Host in Hepatozoon Infections of the Montane Vole, Microtus montanus
Raychel A. Watkins, Suzanne E. Moshier, Aelita J. Pinter
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Abstract

In searching for an invertebrate host for Hepatozoon sp. infecting the montane vole (Microtus montanus), we collected fleas, ticks, and mites from live-trapped voles and searched squash preparations for Hepatozoon oocysts. From 1989 through 1996, we identified six species of fleas in Grand Teton National Park: Megabothris abantis, Megabothris asio megacolpus, Aetheca wagneri, Peromyscopsylla selenis, Peromyscopsylla. hesperomys, and Hystrichopsylla dippiei dippiei. We found Hepatozoon oocysts only in M. abantis; we found no oocysts in mites or ticks. We conclude that M. abantis is an invertebrate host of Hepatozoon sp. and is likely to be the definitive host for the Hepatozoon spp. of M. montanus.

Watkins, Moshier, and Pinter: The Flea, Megabothris abantis: An Invertebrate Host of Hepatozoon sp. and a Likely Definitive Host in Hepatozoon Infections of the Montane Vole, Microtus montanus
Raychel A. Watkins, Suzanne E. Moshier, and Aelita J. Pinter "The Flea, Megabothris abantis: An Invertebrate Host of Hepatozoon sp. and a Likely Definitive Host in Hepatozoon Infections of the Montane Vole, Microtus montanus," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 42(2), 386-390, (1 April 2006). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-42.2.386
Received: 26 October 2004; Published: 1 April 2006
KEYWORDS
definitive host
flea
Hepatozoon
invertebrate host
Megabothris abantis
Microtus montanus
oocyst
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