Brazilian fleas (Hexapoda: Siphonaptera): diversity, host associations, and new records on small mammals from the Atlantic Rainforest, including Rickettsia screening.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Insects belonging to the Siphonaptera order are obligatory ectoparasites of vertebrates, including humans. Their life cycle is marked by holometabolous development, and adults are adapted to have a bloodmeal out of their hosts. The objective of this study is to review the families occurring in Brazil with their species and report new records from fleas collected in an Atlantic Rainforest preserved area, including Rickettsia sp. monitoring.

Methods

Literature research was carried out, including journal articles and books available in scientific databases. The sample collection took place at Legado das Águas-Reserva Votorantim private reserve, where wild rodents, marsupials, and bats were captured and inspected for the presence of fleas. The fleas were identified, a

SUBMITTER: Pesenato IP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11969852 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature