First records of ectoparasitic insects (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) of bats in the department of Caldas, Colombia

Álvarez, Jorge RaigosaOsorio, Carolina GarcíaAutino, Analía GladysDias, Lucimar Gomes

Abstract In Colombia, the taxonomical understanding of ectoparasites (Diptera: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) of bats is scarce, despite the high diversity of hosts. This fact reflects the lack of important information on the group and poses the need for studies that expand the knowledge on bat ectoparasites in different regions of the country. The aim of this study was to contribute pioneer knowledge on bat ectoparasitic insects in the department of Caldas, located in the Central Andes Mountain range of Colombia. We assessed 318 bats from four eco parks in the city of Manizales, and collected 234 ectoparasitic insects. We provide the first report of the family Streblidae for Caldas, with seven genera and eight species: Anastrebla caudiferaeWenzel, 1976, Anatrichobius scorzaiWenzel, 1966, Exastinion oculatumWenzel, 1976, Megistopoda proxima (Séguy 1926), Paratrichobius longicrus Ribeiro, 1907, Paraeuctenodes similisWenzel, 1976, Trichobius longipes Rudow, 1871, and Trichobius tiptoniWenzel, 1976. In addition, we report the species Basilia ferrisi Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1931 and Basilia sp. for the family Nycteribiidae.

1. Insects
2. Caldas
3. Bats
4. Ectoparasites