Introduction
Streblidae and Nycteribiidae (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea) are 2 worldwide distributed families of blood feeding and obligate ectoparasitic flies (Dick & Patterson, 2006). Bat flies are found exclusively infesting the body or wing membranes of these flying mammals (Marshall, 1982). Even though they should be able to colonize multiple host species, researchers have suggested species-specific host-parasite relationships (Dick & Dick, 2006; ter Hofstede & Fenton, 2005).
Ecological and behavioral features of bats, such as social structure, roost environment, and species fidelity to roosting sites play an important role in the host-parasite dynamics (Patterson et al., 2007). Therefore, studies on the diversity and interactions between these parasites and bats can offer valuable information concerning different biological, phylogenetic, and systematic aspects of these mammalian hosts. They can also shed light on the role of blood-feeding arthropods in the epidemiology of bat-borne pathogens (e.g., virus and bacteria; Fritz, 1983; Joffrin et al., 2018) which is at the present moment speculative. However, basic knowledge regarding ectoparasites’ diversity, distribution, and host-parasite relationships are still incipient.
In Brazil, the knowledge about these hematophagous bat flies is geographically biased where, for example, the smallest federative unit (Federal District) has the highest species richness (n = 56; Figueiredo et al., 2015), representing approximately half of the species occurring in the country. At a national level, the most surveyed region is the southeastern (Lourenço et al., 2016); the north and northeastern regions remain with the largest sampling gaps.
Currently, throughout northeastern Brazil, 47 streblid and only 3 nycteribiid species have been recorded infesting 8 bat families, mainly Phyllostomidae (Barbier & Bernard, 2017). Despite the advance in recent years (Bezerra et al., 2016; Santos et al., 2013; Soares et al., 2013, 2016), species richness in the northeastern is underestimated and the majority of states is undersampled or lack information about bat ectoparasitic flies’ diversity (Barbier & Bernard, 2017). The state of Paraíba, for instance, has had only 1 survey on bat ectoparasitic flies -conducted in the Caatinga (seasonally dry tropical forest)- with 10 species recorded (Barbier et al., 2016).
In the present study, we provide updated information on streblid and nycteribiid flies in the state of Paraíba, extending the known geographical range of 5 genera and 12 species. In this sense, we surveyed bats in residential areas and urban forest remnants of Atlantic Forest and produced an annotated species list of bat ectoparasitic flies with comments on associations with their hosts.
Materials and methods
Field studies were conducted in 5 protected areas of Atlantic Forest and residential neighborhoods within the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba (07°07’ S, 34°51’ W), northeastern Brazil. The sampled areas were: 1) Mata do Buraquinho Wildlife Refuge (517.8 ha), 2) Restinga de Cabedelo National Forest (136.36 ha), 3) Cuiá Natural Park (42 ha), 4) Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park (26.8 ha), 5) Cidade Verde Municipal Forest (22 ha) and the neighborhoods, 6) Altiplano, 7) Alto do Mateus, 8) Bairro dos Novaes, 9) Funcionários IV, 10) Jardim Veneza, 11) Paratibe, and 12) Penha (Fig. 1).
A wide variety of phytophysiognomies of the Atlantic Forest biome can be identified among sampling sites, including areas of typical seasonal semi-deciduous forests, savanna formations on sandy soils, “restingas” (coastal vegetation), and mangroves (Amazonas & Barbosa, 2011; Gadelha-Neto & Barbosa, 2012; Vicente et al., 2014). The local climate is the type As’ of Köppen’s classification, hot and humid, with the wet season from March to August and a dry season from September to February. The annual rainfall varies between 1,500 mm to 1,700 mm, and the annual average temperatures and humidity are usually around 22-26 °C and 80%, respectively (Feliciano & Melo, 2003).
Between November 2014 and August 2016, bats were captured in forest fragments using mist nets set both at canopy (4 mist nets of 3.0 m × 2.5 m) and understory levels (8 of 9.0 m × 2.5 m), opened from dusk until 10:00 pm. Captures in residential sites were performed with various sets of mist nets with different sizes according to the available area in each house (e.g., presence of roosts, backyards, gardens). During 60 sampling nights, the total effort was 55,580 h.m2 following Straube & Bianconi (2002); calculated by multiplying mist net area (m2), the number of mist nets, and hours of exposure (h).
Nets were checked every 15-30 minutes, and captured bats were individually placed in cotton bags and later weighed, measured, sexed, and identified according to taxonomic keys (Díaz et al., 2016; Gardner, 2008). We followed Nogueira et al. (2014) for bat nomenclature. Bat capture was carried out under authorization of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) (SISBIO permit number 45168-3) and residences were sampled with owner’s consent. All animal procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use of the Federal University of Paraíba (CEUA/UFPB number 027/2016).
Bat ectoparasitic flies were collected with forceps and placed in individually labeled vials with 70% ethanol. In the laboratory, flies were identified according to Guerrero (1995), Guimarães & D’Andretta (1956), Wenzel (1976), and Wenzel et al. (1966). For flies’ nomenclature, we followed Dick & Graciolli (2008) for Streblidae and Graciolli & Dick (2008) for Nycteribiidae. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Federal University of Pernambuco (CE-UFPE).
Results
We collected 197 bat ectoparasitic flies belonging to 15 species and 10 genera from the families Streblidae (13 species) and Nycteribiidae (2 species) (Table 1). Five genera and 12 fly species represent first records for the state of Paraíba, including Basilia anceps and Noctiliostrebla sp., as new records for northeastern Brazil. Most fly species (n = 13; ~87%) were species-specific, found on a single host species (Table 1, Fig. 2). Only Trichobioides perspicillatus and Trichobius costalimai were found on more than 1 host species (both on Artibeus planirostris and Phyllostomus discolor). The flies were collected on 102 bat specimens of 9 species and 7 genera in the families Phyllostomidae (6 species), Vespertilionidae (2 species), and Noctilionidae (1 species) (Table 1). Phyllostomus discolor was the bat most parasitized by flies (Strebla hertigi, Trichobioides perspicillatus, T. costalimai, and T. longipes; Fig. 2).
Family/fly species | Host species | Site*** | Source |
Nycteribiidae | |||
Basilia anceps Guimarães & D’Andretta, 1956 | Myotis riparius Handley, 1960 | 1 | PS |
Basilia travassosi Guimarães, 1938 | Myotis lavali Moratelli et al., 2011 | 1, 2, 4 | **, PS |
Streblidae | |||
Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, 1976 | Sturnira lilium (É. Geoffroy, 1810) | 8, 10 | PS |
Aspidoptera phyllostomatis (Perty, 1833) | Artibeus planirostris (Spix, 1823) | 1, 3-8, 10, 11 | PS |
Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett, 1899) | Artibeus planirostris | 1-8, 10-12 | **, PS |
Megistopoda proxima (Séguy, 1926) | Sturnira lilium | 1, 9, 10 | PS |
Noctiliostrebla sp. | Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) | 1 | PS |
Paradyschiria fusca Speiser, 1900 | Noctilio leporinus | 1, 4 | PS |
Paratrichobius longicrus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1907) | Artibeus planirostris | 1 | PS |
Speiseria ambigua Kessel, 1925 | Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) *, Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) | 5 | **, PS |
Strebla hertigi Wenzel, 1966 | Phyllostomus discolor (Wagner, 1843) | 2 | PS |
Strebla wiedemanni Wenzel, 1966 | Desmodus rotundus (É. Geoffroy, 1810) | NA | ** |
Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessôa & Galvão, 1937) | Artibeus planirostris *, Phyllostomus discolor | 1-4 | PS |
Trichobius costalimai Guimarães, 1938 | Artibeus planirostris*, Phyllostomus discolor | 1-5, 8 | PS |
Trichobius diphyllae Wenzel, 1966 | Diphylla ecaudata Spix, 1823 | NA | ** |
Trichobius dugesii Townsend, 1891 | Glossophaga soricina | NA | ** |
Trichobius dugesioides dugesioides Wenzel, 1966 | Trachops cirrhosus (Spix, 1823) | NA | ** |
Trichobius galei Wenzel, 1966 | Natalus macrourus (Gervais, 1856) | NA | ** |
Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, 1966 | Carollia perspicillata | 1, 4, 5, 10, 11 | PS |
Trichobius longipes (Rudow, 1871) | Phyllostomus discolor | 5 | PS |
Trichobius pallidus (Curran, 1934) | Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828) | NA | ** |
Trichobius parasiticus Gervais, 1844 | Desmodus rotundus | NA | ** |
Richness: 10 genera/22 species | 12 genera/13 species |
*= Non-primary association;
***= referring to the sites sampled in the present study, which can be visualized in Fig. 1;
NA= not applicable;
PS= present study.
Below, we present, for each recorded ectoparasitic fly species, its host, comments on their geographic distribution, host-parasite interactions, information about the material examined, collection data, and voucher numbers.
Nycteribiidae Samouelle, 1819
Nycteribiinae Westwood, 1835
Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903
Basilia anceps Guimarães & D’Andretta, 1956
Host: Myotis riparius Handley, 1960 (Vespertilionidae).
Material examined (n = 1): 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100829), on M. riparius, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 19/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Basilia anceps is widely distributed in the Neotropical region (Graciolli et al., 2007), although its records are still isolated. Our record is the first of this species in northeastern Brazil, increasing to 4 the number of Basilia species known in this region (Barbier et al., 2017; Dias et al., 2009; Guimarães, 1938). In Brazil, B. anceps was previously recorded in the Federal District on Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) and M. riparius (Graciolli & Aguiar, 2002), and in the municipality of Serranópolis, state of Goiás, on Myotis sp. (Graciolli et al., 2010) both in the midwestern region of Brazil. Here, we increase the known geographic distribution of this species in approximately 1,700 km from the Federal District to Paraíba. Throughout its geographic distribution, B. anceps has been collected parasitizing at least 7 bat species (Graciolli, 2001; Graciolli et al., 2007).
Basilia travassosi Guimarães, 1938
Host: Myotis lavali Moratelli, Peracchi, Dias & Oliveira, 2011 (Vespertilionidae).
Material examined (n = 11): 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100830), on M. lavali, Cabedelo, PB (7°03’51.0” S, 34°51’16.6” W), 02/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100831), on M. lavali, same locality data, 07/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 5 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100832), on M. lavali, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 26/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100833), on M. lavali, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 11/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
According to Guimarães and D’Andretta (1956), B. travassosi is endemic to northeastern Brazil. This species was recorded in 6 of the 9 states of the region and in different ecoregions (Barbier & Bernard, 2017). In the state of Paraíba, B. travassosi was recently recorded in the semi-arid Caatinga, also on M. lavali (Barbier et al., 2016).
Streblidae Kolenati, 1863
Streblinae Speiser, 1900
Strebla Wiedemann, 1824
Strebla hertigi Wenzel, 1966
Host: Phyllostomus discolor (Wagner, 1843) (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 1): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100834), on P. discolor, Cabedelo, PB (7°03’51.0” S, 34°51’16.6” W), 06/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Although it has relatively few records in Brazil, S. hertigi is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics (Guerrero, 1996), primarily associated with P. discolor (Wenzel, 1976). This is the first record of the species in the state of Paraíba.
Trichobiinae Jobling, 1936
Aspidoptera Coquillett, 1899
Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, 1976
Host: Sturnira lilium (É. Geoffroy, 1810) (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 2): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100835), on S. lilium, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100836), on S. lilium, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’15.2” S, 34°54’02.0” W), 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Sturnira lilium is the primary host for A. falcata, although Wenzel (1976) has recorded on another 2 species of Sturnira in Venezuela, with some frequency. This fly is relatively well sampled in Brazil and may co-occur with Megistopoda proxima (Linhares & Komeno, 2000). In this study, we recorded A. falcata for the first time in the state of Paraíba.
Aspidoptera phyllostomatis (Perty, 1833)
Host: Artibeus planirostris (Spix, 1823) (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 25): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100837), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°12’23.8” S, 34°49’13.0” W), 24/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100838), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°11’30.3” S, 34°51’33.1” W), 29/V/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100839), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100840), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100841), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°07’59.4” S, 34°49’51.3” W), 15/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100842), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 15/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100843), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’53.8” S, 34°54’19.6” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100844), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 19/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100845), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 20/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100846), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100847), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100848), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100849), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 11/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100850), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 13/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100851), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 4 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100852), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100853), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100854), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’15.2” S, 34°54’02.0” W), 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100855), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Like A. falcata, we recorded A. phyllostomatis for the first time in the state of Paraíba. Artibeus jamaicensis Leach, 1821 is the host type for this fly (Wenzel, 1976), however, in Brazil, it is associated mainly with A. planirostris and A. fimbriatus (Barbier & Graciolli, 2016; Dornelles & Graciolli, 2017; Eriksson et al., 2011).
Megistopoda Macquart, 1852
Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett, 1899)
Host: Artibeus planirostris (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 53): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100856), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°12’23.8” S, 34°49’13.0” W), 24/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100857), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°11’30.3” S, 34°51’33.1” W), 29/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100858), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°12’23.8” S 34°49’13.0” W), 24/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100859), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 26/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100860), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100861), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 10/VI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100862), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100863), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’36.1” S, 34°47’42.8” W), 13/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100864), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°07’59.4” S, 34°49’51.3” W), 15/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100865), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 15/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100866), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100867), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S 34°51’41.3” W), 19/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100868), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100869), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100870), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100871), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100872), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100873), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 20/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100874), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 26/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100875), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 21/III/2016, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100876), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100877), on A. planirostris, Cabedelo, PB (7°03’51.0” S, 34°51’16.6” W), 25/IV/2016, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100878), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°11’30.3” S, 34°51’33.1” W), 31/V/2016, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100879), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 16/VIII/2016, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100880), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 23/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100881), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100882), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 23/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100883), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100884), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100885), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 24/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100886), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 24/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100887), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100888), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100889), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100890), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100891), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’15.2” S, 34°54’02.0” W), 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100892), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100893), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100894), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’15.2” S, 34°54’02.0” W), 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100895), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100896), on A. planirostris, same locality data, 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100897), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’54.7” S, 34°54’19.1” W), 17/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
M. aranea occurs in all regions and different ecoregions of Brazil (Barbier & Graciolli, 2016; Graciolli & Bernard, 2002; Rui & Graciolli, 2005; Santos et al., 2009). In the state of Paraíba, M. aranea was recently recorded in a Caatinga biome also on A. planirostris (Barbier et al., 2016).
Megistopoda proxima (Séguy, 1926)
Host: Sturnira lilium (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 4): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100898), on S. lilium, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’52.4” S, 34°53’18.7” W), 20/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100899), on S. lilium, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100900), on S. lilium, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
The characteristic host for M. proxima is S. lilium (Dick & Gettinger, 2005). This species is widely distributed, occurring in all Brazilian regions (Barbier & Graciolli, 2016; Bertola et al., 2005; Santos et al., 2013; Soares et al., 2013), as well as in other American countries (Dick & Gettinger, 2005; Dick et al., 2007; Durán et al., 2017). Here, we recorded M. proxima for the first time in the state of Paraíba.
Noctiliostrebla Wenzel, 1966
Noctiliostrebla sp.
Host: Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Noctilionidae).
Material examined (n = 2): 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100901), on N. leporinus, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 20/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Noctiliostrebla is a genus exclusively associated with the family Noctilionidae, formed by a species complex, including undescribed species (Wenzel et al., 1966). Currently, 4 species are recognized, but with the only 2 specimens we had, we were unable to identify to the species level. Even so, this is the first record of this genus in northeastern Brazil.
Paradyschiria Speiser, 1900
Paradyschiria fusca Speiser, 1900
Host: Noctilio leporinus (Noctilionidae).
Material examined (n = 6): 3 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100902), on N. leporinus, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 20/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100903), N. leporinus, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 12/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Like Noctiliostrebla, Paradyschiria is a specific parasite of Noctilionidae (Wenzel et al., 1966). In northeastern Brazil, P. fusca was recorded only in the state of Bahia (cited as P. dubia; Guimarães, 1941). This is the first record of the species for Paraíba and the second record to northeastern Brazil after a 77-year hiatus.
Paratrichobius Costa Lima, 1921
Paratrichobius longicrus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1907)
Host: Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 1): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100904), on A. lituratus, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 19/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Paratrichobius constitutes a species complex (Graciolli & Carvalho, 2001; Wenzel et al., 1966), frequently found on Stenodermatinae (Dick & Miller, 2010). Artibeus lituratus is considered primary host for P. longicrus. Probably, the P. longicrus infesting another Stenodermatinae (such as Platyrrhinus spp.) are undescribed species (Graciolli & Carvalho, 2001; Wenzel et al., 1966). Our record is the first for this species in the state of Paraíba.
Speiseria Kessel, 1925
Speiseria ambigua Kessel, 1925
Host: Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 3): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100905), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 26/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100906), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100907), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
Recently, Barbier et al. (2016) recorded S. ambigua on Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) in the Caatinga of the state of Paraíba. This species is a primary parasite of C. perspicillata (Guerrero, 1994). Its record on other host species is classified as a transitory association or sampling contamination.
Trichobioides Wenzel, 1966
Trichobioides perspicillatus (Pessôa & Galvão, 1937)
Hosts: Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus discolor (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 22): 6 ♂ and 3 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100908), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°11’30.3” S, 34°51’33.1” W), 28/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100909), on P. discolor, Cabedelo, PB (7°03’51.0” S, 34°51’16.6” W), 06/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100910), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 21/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100911), on P. discolor, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100912), on P. discolor, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100913), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 09/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100914), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 18/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
The primary host of Trichobioides perspicillatus is P. discolor (Wenzel et al., 1966). We also found this species infesting A. planirostris but certainly represent a transitory association or contamination, as reported by Durán et al. (2017). This is the first record of Trichobioides perspicillatus in the state of Paraíba.
Trichobius Gervais, 1844
Trichobius costalimai Guimarães, 1938
Hosts: Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus discolor (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 41): 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100915), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°09’15.2” S, 34°54’02.0” W), 21/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 8 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100916), on A. planirostris, João Pessoa, PB (7°11’30.3” S, 34°51’33.1” W), 28/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 5 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100917), on P. discolor, Cabedelo, PB (7°03’51.0” S, 34°51’16.6” W), 06/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100918), on P. discolor, same locality data, 06/VII/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100919), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100920), on P. discolor, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100921), on P. discolor, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100922), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 09/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100923), on P. discolor, same locality data, 12/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100924), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 24/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100925), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 14/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ and 4 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100926), on P. discolor, same locality data, 18/V/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
T. costalimai is widely distributed and occurs on P. discolor, its primary host, throughout its range (Wenzel, 1976). Infestation on other hosts is considered as a non-primary association. Conversely, Durán et al. (2017) found frequently association between T. costalimai and A. planirostris in a dry tropical forest in Colombia. Here, we record this species for the first time in the state of Paraíba.
Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, 1966
Host: Carollia perspicillata (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 24): 2 ♂ and 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100927), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°12’23.8” S, 34°49’13.0” W), 24/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100928), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 26/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100929), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 26/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100930), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 26/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100931), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 12/VI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100932), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°08’43.6” S, 34°51’41.3” W), 19/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100933), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100934), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 26/X/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100935), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°06’45.3” S, 34°52’27.2” W), 10/XI/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100936), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 2 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100937), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100938), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100939), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 22/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100940), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 23/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (CE-UFPE 100941), on C. perspicillata, same locality data, 24/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.; 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100942), on C. perspicillata, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.3” S, 34°54’39.3” W), 19/XI/2014, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
This species occurs throughout Central and South America in association with C. perspicillata (Wenzel, 1976) in at least 20 countries (Barbier & Graciolli, 2016), and is probably the most abundant bat ectoparasitic fly in the New World (Guerrero, 1995). Despite the wide distribution and abundance, this is the first record of T. joblingi in Paraíba.
Trichobius longipes (Rudow, 1871)
Host: Phyllostomus discolor (Phyllostomidae).
Material examined (n = 1): 1 ♂ (CE-UFPE 100943), on P. discolor, João Pessoa, PB (7°10’06.5” S, 34°51’50.1” W), 21/IV/2015, Nunes, H. coll.
Remarks
P. hastatus is the host type for T. longipes, although this fly may occur in other Phyllostomus species as P. discolor (Graciolli & Carvalho, 2001; Guerrero, 1994; Santos et al., 2013). In the northeastern, this fly was little recorded (Barbier & Bernard, 2017) and this represents the first record for Paraíba.
Discussion
Although the present study is the second survey on bat ectoparasitic flies conducted in Paraíba, the state is now the fourth in species richness in northeastern Brazil, behind the states of Pernambuco, Maranhão, and Sergipe with 34, 28, and 23 species, respectively (Barbier & Bernard, 2017; Soares et al., 2017). We have increased the number of known Nycteribiidae and Streblidae in the state from 10 to 22 species, and from 5 to 10 genera; as well as from 50 to 52 species known in the region, with the records of B. anceps and Noctiliostrebla sp. (Barbier & Bernard, 2017). We also increase from 31 to 34 the known species in the northeastern portion of the Atlantic Forest, above the São Francisco River (Barbier & Bernard, 2017). Despite that, the state currently accounts for about 20% (22/111) of bat ectoparasitic fly species richness in Brazil (Barbier et al., 2018; Bezerra et al., 2016; Graciolli et al., 2007; Lourenço et al., 2016).
Except for Trichobioides perspicillatus and Trichobius costalimai, both found on A. planirostris and here considered as non-primary infestations, all other fly species were collected on only 1 bat species, indicating high host specificity. These results corroborate other studies on bat ectoparasitic flies (Barbier & Graciolli, 2016; Komeno & Linhares, 1999; Santos et al., 2013; Soares et al., 2013; ter Hofstede et al., 2004) and reinforce the knowledge about host-parasite relationships, especially in a poorly sampled Brazilian region.
It is quite likely that the richness of bat ectoparasitic flies in Paraíba is still underestimated, not only because this is the second research conducted in the state, but also because other northeastern nearby states present a greater species richness, including the neighbor Pernambuco (with 34 species; Barbier & Bernard, 2017). Additionally, of about 61 bat species occurring in the Paraíba state (Feijó & Langguth, 2011; Feijó et al., 2015; Leal et al., 2014; Nunes et al., 2013; Rocha et al., 2017; Vilar et al., 2015) only 14 species (~23%) were surveyed for ectoparasites (Barbier et al., 2016; present study). As more studies are conducted, including hosts not yet sampled in previous studies, the number of known fly species will most likely increase.
Our records expand the knowledge on bat ectoparasites in northeastern Brazil, where this group is still poorly studied, despite advances in recent years (Barbier et al., 2016, 2017; Santos et al., 2013; Soares et al., 2013, 2016, 2017). It is likely that the diversity of environments/roosts sampled in this study (e.g., man-made constructions, coastal vegetation, mangroves) have favored the fly species richness recorded here. Studies have shown that bat ectoparasitic fly species richness is correlated with host species richness, and that the host-fly interaction may differ between environments (Barbier & Bernard, 2017; Dick & Gettinger, 2005; Zarazúa-Carbajal et al., 2016).
The possibility of capturing more host species and, consequently, more fly species, will be enhanced when more environments are sampled. However, even with increasing studies on bats in recent years, their ectoparasites have been neglected in most cases. Therefore, we strongly suggest that bat researchers consider collecting ectoparasites whenever possible. In addition, we recommend that future studies also focus on environments with transitional areas (e.g., Atlantic Forest-Caatinga ecotone), Caatinga moist forest enclaves (regionally called “Brejos de Altitude”), and caves. Together, these efforts can help increase our knowledge and fill gaps in the geographic distribution, species richness, and host association of these bat ectoparasites. Furthermore, the great ecological diversity of bats and the conspicuous relationship with ectoparasitic flies make both groups an important model for studies on coevolution, biology, and parasitic ecology, for example. For this, basic questions, such as where species occur, are essential and must be answered. In this sense, this study also represents an important step and can serve as a basis for further studies.