ECTOPARASITES OF RATTUS RATTUS DIARDII FROM KUALA LUMPUR CITY MALAYSIA

Abstract:
Ectoparasites of the common house rat, Rattus rattus diardii from Kuala Lumpur city, Malaysia was investigated. The study was conducted over a period of one year. 73'% of the rats harboured the flea Xenopsylla cheopis, followed by mites Laelaps echidninus 64%, L.nuttalli 31% and lice Polyplax spinulosa 21%. The flea index for Kuala Lumpur city was 7.4. House rats were also collected from semi-urban areas in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur. The study was done to investigate and to compare the differences if any in ectoparasite fauna of rats from urban and semi-urban environment. It was noted that rats from semi-urban areas were mostly infested with mites; 50% were infested with L.nuttalli and 38% with L.echidninus. Also, 55% were infested with the lice P. spinulosa and 12% with Hoplopleura pacifica. 22% of the rats were infested with the flea X. cheopis; the flea index for the semi-urban area was 0.4.