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

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Pesenato, Isabella Pereira ; Costa, Jaciara de Oliveira Jorge ; Jacinavicius, Fernando de Castro ; Bassini-Silva, Ricardo ; Soares, Herbert Sousa ; Fakelmann, Thiago ; Castelli, Giovanna Nosberto ; Maia, Gledson Bandeira ; Onofrio, Valeria Castilho ; Nieri-Bastos, Fernanda Aparecida ; Marcili, Arlei

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PARASITES & VECTORS; v. 18, n. 1, p. 30-pg., 2025-04-04.

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 & Aacute;guas-Reserva Votorantim private reserve, where wild rodents, marsupials, and bats were captured and inspected for the presence of fleas. The fleas were identified, and their genetic material was extracted and subjected to two polymerase chain reactions (PCRs): an endogenous control to validate the extraction and a Rickettsia screening. Results A total of 8 families were reviewed, resulting in 63 valid species that interact with a wide range of hosts. Among the collected fleas, 7 species were identified as interacting with 19 different host genera belonging to the Rodentia, Didelphimorphia, and Chiroptera orders. We highlight the presence of 2 new locality records and 15 new host interactions. Of the collected fleas, 105 specimens were tested individually for Rickettsia bacteria, but none showed expected amplicons for the bacterium. Conclusions This study provides an extensive revision of the Siphonaptera order present in Brazil with new insights, since the last robust revision made was from 2000, along with new information regarding host association and locality based on field collections conducted by the authors, which helps understanding the host-parasite interaction and encourages new studies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/01231-0 - Integrative taxonomy of neotropical chiggers (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae), including monitoring of pathogens from the families Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, and Rickettsiaceae
• Grantee: Fernando de Castro Jacinavicius
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/11755-6 - Taxonomy and microbiome of mites that parasitize bats in Brazil: study of the presence of pathogens and symbiotic commensal communities in these ectoparasites
• Grantee: Ricardo Bassini Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/11576-0 - Investigation of Rickettsia spp., Orientia spp. and Borrelia spp. in chigger mites (Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhokiidae) from Brazil
• Grantee: Isabella Pereira Pesenato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/18992-3 - Zoonotic agents in wild and domestic animals and their associated vectors in the private reserve Legado das Águas - Reserva Votorantim, in the municipalities of Tapiraí and Miracatu, São Paulo
• Grantee: Arlei Marcili
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants