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<p>Flea survival, abundance, and distribution are strongly influenced by temperature and humidity. Seasonal climatic fluctuations can promote the spread of flea vectors and increase the risk of flea-borne disease transmission. This study investigated the seasonal abundance and habitat association of fleas infesting mammalian hosts in Madurai district, South India. From July 2017 to June 2018, fleas were collected from pest rodents, shrews, domestic dogs, and cats across nine sites representing urban, semi-urban, and rural habitats. Sampling was undertaken in four climatic seasons: summer, southwest monsoon, northeast monsoon, and winter. Fleas were removed by combing host fur, identified morphologically, and analysed for abundance in relation to host, habitat, and climate variables. Flea abundance peaked during the cool–wet northeast monsoon and cool–dry winter in Madurai district, and flea abundance similarly increased after the rainy season, particularly during the cooler post-monsoon months, when soil and vegetation conditions likely enhanced flea survival and host contact. Temperature significantly influenced host positivity and flea abundance, whereas habitat type had no measurable effect. Two rodent-associated species, <i>Xenopsylla cheopis</i> and <i>Xenopsylla astia</i>, were collected from <i>Rattus rattus</i>,<i> R. norvegicus</i>,<i> Mus musculus</i>,<i> Bandicota bengalensis</i>, and <i>Tatera indica</i>. The cat flea, <i>Ctenocephalides felis</i>, was restricted to dogs and cats. Infestation intensity varied significantly among hosts, with rural habitats and dry–cool conditions favouring higher abundance. Flea populations in Madurai exhibit distinct seasonal dynamics primarily driven by temperature and host-related factors. Regular surveillance is needed to provide early warnings and guide vector control strategies against flea-borne diseases.</p>

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Seasonal dynamics and habitat preferences of ectoparasitic fleas on mammals in South India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月9日

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  • Rajamannar Veeramanoharan,
  • Govindarajan Renu,
  • Nagaraj Jaganathasamy,
  • Krishnamoorthi Ranganathan,
  • Ashwani Kumar,
  • Philip Samuel Paulraj

摘要

Flea survival, abundance, and distribution are strongly influenced by temperature and humidity. Seasonal climatic fluctuations can promote the spread of flea vectors and increase the risk of flea-borne disease transmission. This study investigated the seasonal abundance and habitat association of fleas infesting mammalian hosts in Madurai district, South India. From July 2017 to June 2018, fleas were collected from pest rodents, shrews, domestic dogs, and cats across nine sites representing urban, semi-urban, and rural habitats. Sampling was undertaken in four climatic seasons: summer, southwest monsoon, northeast monsoon, and winter. Fleas were removed by combing host fur, identified morphologically, and analysed for abundance in relation to host, habitat, and climate variables. Flea abundance peaked during the cool–wet northeast monsoon and cool–dry winter in Madurai district, and flea abundance similarly increased after the rainy season, particularly during the cooler post-monsoon months, when soil and vegetation conditions likely enhanced flea survival and host contact. Temperature significantly influenced host positivity and flea abundance, whereas habitat type had no measurable effect. Two rodent-associated species, Xenopsylla cheopis and Xenopsylla astia, were collected from Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus, Bandicota bengalensis, and Tatera indica. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, was restricted to dogs and cats. Infestation intensity varied significantly among hosts, with rural habitats and dry–cool conditions favouring higher abundance. Flea populations in Madurai exhibit distinct seasonal dynamics primarily driven by temperature and host-related factors. Regular surveillance is needed to provide early warnings and guide vector control strategies against flea-borne diseases.