Descriptions of two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla in northwestern Argentina

Med Vet Entomol. 2018 Sep;32(3):334-345. doi: 10.1111/mve.12303. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

Abstract

Two new species of flea of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, (Siphonaptera: Stephanocircidae) collected from sigmodontine rodents in northwestern Argentina are described and a key to identification of species of the genus Plocopsylla, subgenus Plocopsylla, in Argentina is presented. Plocopsylla (P.) inti is cited for the first time in Argentina, extending its distribution ∼ 970 km further south than previously documented. New locality data and flea-host associations are recorded. The contributions of this study are relevant because they increase knowledge of the diversity of flea fauna in northwestern Argentina bordering a plague endemic area and will be useful in the implementation of plague control management plans in the future.

Keywords: Craneopsyllinae; plague endemic area; sigmodontine rodents; siphonaptera; stephanocircidae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution*
  • Animals
  • Argentina
  • Female
  • Flea Infestations / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Plague / transmission
  • Sigmodontinae*
  • Siphonaptera / anatomy & histology
  • Siphonaptera / classification*
  • Siphonaptera / physiology*