Publication details
Cimicids and bat hosts in the Czech and Slovak Republics: ecology and distribution
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Vespertilio |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | ectoparasites roost ecology host specifity |
| Description | The species of the genus Cimex (Heteroptera: Cimicidae) belong to important ectoparasites of European bats. The two bat-related Cimex species (C. pipistrelli, C. lectularius) occurring in Central Europe share a very similar life style, but differ in their ecology and host interactions. The study reports on faunistic data obtained during a thorough investigation of roosts of diverse bat species on a west-east transect across the Czech and Slovak Republics. Most data reported in this study come from visits carried out during the systematic monitoring of two species of bats, i.e. M. myotis and M. emarginatus, but also from occasional surveys due to liquidation of bat shelters. We found a positive correlation between changes in abundance of bugs and bat numbers in colonies. Temporary decrease in bat numbers or entire absence of bats in the roost can be a good mechanism leading to a significant reduction in the abundance of bugs in the given roost. Finally, new information on recent cases of bats being an apparent source of cimicids invading homes and level of the risk of development of a bug population in humans is reported. |