Seasonal variation in numbers of the rabbit flea on the wild rabbit
Seasonal variation in numbers of the rabbit flea on the wild rabbit
复制标题
野兔身上兔蚤数量的季节变化
作者：
A. R. Mead;J. Vaughn;B. D. Rennison
在1967年至1970年的4年期间，每个月都采集了兔子样本。取出所有跳蚤，进行性别鉴定和计数，并记录家兔的生殖状况。兔蚤Spilopsyllus cuniculi（Dale）在一年中的任何时候都存在于两种性别的兔子身上。每年1月、2月、3月和4月兔身上跳蚤数量显著较高，8月、9月和10月跳蚤数量显著较低。在4月、5月和6月，雌兔的平均跳蚤计数显著高于雄兔。在这一年的其余时间里，每种性别的宿主的数量没有显着差异。各年份间蚤类数量差异有统计学意义。全年在两性宿主身上均发现雌蚤多于雄蚤。取样的家兔种群在繁殖性能和幼兔死亡率方面表现为典型的多发性粘液瘤病后种群。讨论了观察到的跳蚤数量变化模式与宿主和跳蚤繁殖以及宿主行为、种群大小和结构的关系。
Samples of rabbits were obtained throughout each month over the 4-year period 1967–70. All fleas were removed, sexed and counted and the reproductive condition of the rabbits recorded. Rabbit fleas Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) were present on both sexes of rabbit at all times of the year. In each year significantly high numbers of fleas were found on the rabbits in January, February, March and April and significantly low numbers in August, September and October. Mean flea counts were significantly higher on female rabbits than on males during April, May and June. During the rest of the year counts from each sex of host did not differ significantly. There were significant differences in flea numbers between years. More female than male fleas were found on both sexes of host throughout the year. The rabbit population sampled is shown to be typical of post-myxomatosis populations with regard to breeding performance and juvenile mortality. The relationship of the observed patterns of change in flea numbers to host and flea breeding and to host behaviour, population size and structure is discussed.