Survey of the Ectoparasites of the Invasive Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus [Carnivora: Herpestidae]) on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

In March 2012, live trapping surveys were conducted for invasive small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Forty mongoose were sampled (31%, 9&) for ectoparasites, and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) were discovered on 17 individuals. There was no difference in the number of ectoparasites per mongoose across age classifications (r = 0.109, P = 0.579). However, males had more cat fleas than females, even when mass was taken into account (males are generally heavier). Future behavioral studies may explain these sex differences. Although management suggestions from this research are limited, these data contribute to an understanding of ectoparasite distributions on these invasive mongoose in the Caribbean