Abstract:
Fleas, lice, mites and ticks were collected from 41 Rhabdomys pumilio and seven Otomys
irroratus at De Hoop Nature Reserve in theWestern Cape Province of South Africa. The aims of
the study were firstly to quantify parasite abundance and to record the species richness on the
rodents. Secondly to record the parasite species that were shared between R. pumilio and
O. irroratus and thirdly to compare the parasite abundance on R. pumilio between localities of
varying antelope activity. Each rodent was individually examined under a stereoscopic microscope
and its parasites were removed, counted and identified to species level. The parasite
species included seven flea, one louse, nine mite and 10 tick species. Three undescribed mite
species were also recovered and new locality records were obtained for six flea, two lice, two
mite and one tick species. Several flea, mite and tick species were shared between R. pumilio
and O. irroratus. Both the mean abundance of the total ectoparasite burdens and the mean tick
abundance were significantly higher on R. pumilio individuals that were trapped in habitats
preferred and occupied by large antelope species compared to habitats in which antelope were
absent or rarely present.
