Ectoparasites in Small Mammals of Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range: Zoonotic Disease Transmission and One Health Significance

Abstract

Abstract Ectoparasites play a vital role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases and are an essential component of the ecosystem. However, very few studies have been conducted on the ectoparasites of small mammals in Ethiopia, particularly in the Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the species composition, prevalence, distribution, and small mammal host interaction of ectoparasites in the study area. Different traps were used to capture small mammals from where ectoparasites were recovered. The collected ectoparasites were identified to families, genera, and species levels. The parameters like prevalence (P), Abundance (A), mean abundance (MA), Relative Abundance (RA), mean intensity (MI) and constituent ratio (C) were used for the analysis. The study identified disease-carrying ectoparasites based on presence absence of parasite for public and domestic animal health risks. Out of the 204 small mammals examined, 150 were infected by one or more groups of ectoparasites, with an overall prevalence accounting for 73.53%. Out of these individuals the majority 35 (17.16%) were infested by Myobiidae mites followed by Ambyloma 29 (14.22%) and Polyplax 21 (10.29%). Myobiidae mites infested half of the 28 species of hosts examined, followed by Ambyloma (9) and Polyplax(7) species. A total of 1993 individuals of ectoparasites that belonged to 24 taxa in 5 different groups namely flea, lice, tick, mite and flies were recorded. Flea and tick each had five genera, louse six genera, mite six families and bat flies two families were collected from small mammals examined for ectoparasite. Several ectoparasite taxa which have the potential to pose zoonotic disease risks to humans and domestic animals were recorded. The findings underscore the need for further research and surveillance to understand the impact of ectoparasites on small mammal populations and to develop effective strategies for disease control and prevention by promoting the one health approach.