Ácaros parasitos em roedores em diferentes gradientes de paisagem, na Serra da Bodoquena, MS, Brasil

Abstract

The study of parasitism in rodents has gained increasing prominence due to the significant expansion of zoonotic diseases. This is primarily attributed to the fact that these mammals serve as crucial hosts for numerous ectoparasite species. Host-parasite interactions play a pivotal role in coevolutionary processes, exerting influence on both the host and the parasite, thereby contributing significantly to their mutual survival. In this research endeavor, our primary objective was to investigate the intricate parasitic interplay between mites and small rodents inhabiting various landscape gradients within the Serra da Bodoquena region in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. This area is meticulously monitored by a Long-Term Ecological Research Project (PELD). To accomplish this, we characterized the landscapes based on their conservation status, classifying them into categories of low, medium, and high conservation. During the course of our study, we successfully captured 62 rodent specimens and retrieved 2103 mites from them. These mites exclusively belonged to the Mesostigmata order, encompassing only two genera: Laelaps spp. and Gigantolaelaps spp. We identified and estimated key ecological parameters related to parasitism, including prevalence, abundance, and intensity for each host species. Furthermore, we constructed a comprehensive theoretical model of interaction networks, encompassing variables such as parasite/host, parasite/landscape, and host/landscape interactions. It is noteworthy that our study represents the inaugural investigation into the ectoparasite community dwelling within rodents in the Serra da Bodoquena Region of Mato Grosso do Sul. We anticipate that our findings will make a substantial contribution to enhancing our understanding of the ecological dynamics governing the relationships between mites and rodents within the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes.