Analysis of Ectoparasites of Dominican Bats

Streblids are parasitic flies that are primarily found on bats, including those of Dominica. This study examined the relationship between species of streblids and their preference for particular species of bats. We netted at seven different locations in Dominica for a total of ten nights, and determined that Trichobius intermedius, in the family Streblidae, was the most common ectoparasite, found primarily on the bat species Pteronotus davyi and Natalus stramineus. Megistopoda proxima complex was the most abundant ectoparasite on Artibeus jamaicensis. The streblid Megistopoda sp. was the least commonly found ectoparasite on any species of bats. Overall, four species of streblids were observed on five species of Dominican bats