Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The endemic rodent family of Bathyergidae in Africa, particularly South Africa, are understudied as
reservoirs of diseases of signifcant medical importance. Considering the diversity and wide distribution of African
mole-rats in South Africa, many of these bathyergids could act as carriers of zoonoses.
METHODS: The present study assessed the ectoparasite community of the Mahali mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus
mahali). We aimed to identify possible parasitic arthropods that may infest this mole-rat species and explore host
preference, contributions of seasonality, host sex and body mass as well as social class and colony size on ectoparasite
assemblage prevalence and abundance.
RESULTS: A limited number of ectoparasite species were found on C. h. mahali belonging to two signifcant taxa:
mites (Acari) and feas, with mites being the most prevalent and abundant. We recorded the presence of X. philoxera,
a fea well known as the principal reservoir of plague in the southern African region on the Mahali mole-rats. Only
three mite species were collected: Androlaelaps scapularis, Androlaelaps capensis and Laelaps liberiensis. Seasonal peaks
in prevalence and abundance of X. philoxera and A. scapularis were observed during summer. Xenopsylla philoxera
abundance and A. scapularis loads signifcantly increased on reproductive mole-rat individuals in comparison to nonreproductive individuals.
CONCLUSION: Despite the wide distribution of the subterranean African mole-rats, studies investigating their parasitic fauna remain limited and scarce. This dearth in knowledge raises the concern regarding their potential role as
an endemic reservoir for zoonotic diseases. Consequently, additional sampling of their ectoparasitic community
throughout their distributional range and research addressing their role as a reservoir for zoonotic diseases in southern Africa are urgently needed.
