Publication details
Erythrocyte size as one of potential causes of host preferences in cimicids (Cimex spp., Heteroptera: Cimicidae)
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Vespertilio |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Bat and bed bugs RBC hematocrit bats human |
| Description | Cimicids are haematophagous insects whose life cycle, reproduction and survival rate depends on the blood of its hosts. Blood ingredients play a crucial role there. Two lineages have been identified in Cimex lectularius - bat- and human-associated bed bugs. Also bat bugs C. pipistrelli differ in particular bat hosts. We found some differences between the two lineages of bed bugs in the speed of moulting, length of life and reproduction success in cross-host experiments. It was considered that the bug proboscis could be very narrow and that red blood cells might not be able to pass through it. Therefore the first aim of this study was to find out whether the red blood cell (RBC) size has an impact on the occurrence of cimicids in bat and human host. Except one observation on Plecotus auritus, bat bugs never occurred in certain bat species i.e. Barbastella barbastellus, Rhinolophus hipposideros and Plecotus austriacus. We classified them as non-specific bug hosts, while the other bat species as specific hosts. The second aim of this study was to compare RBC size in specific and non-specific bat hosts. We collected blood samples from seven bat genera represented by 12 vespertilionid species and one rhinolophid species. Diameters of red cells were measured. We found some differences between the bat species, however, there was no clear correlation in erythrocyte size between specific and non-specific bat hosts and humans. Therefore RBC size is probably not the reason why some bat species are not parasitized by cimicids. |