SOME ACARINE ECTOPARASITES ON BATS IN MIDDLE IRAQ

Abstract

A total of 61 bat specimens belonging to three species were collected from four distinct sites in the middle of Iraq. Five species of acarine ectoparasites on bats were found. These were: Steatonyssus periblepharus Kolenati, Spinturnix acuminatus (C. L. K.). Cheletonella sp. Rhizoglyphus sp., and Argas sp. Three of the recorded species were new to Iraqi fauna. The abundance and accurence of each parasite was varied from one species to another. S. periblepharus aria S. acuminatus were the most common species found in this study.