Bat-associated soft tick Carios vespertilionis in Belarus

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Parasitology
• Ecology

Background:

• The soft tick Carios vespertilionis is an ectoparasite of bats with a broad Old World distribution.
• Its presence and ecological impact in Belarus were previously under-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide the first detailed account of Carios vespertilionis distribution in Belarus.
• To identify host species and quantify infestation parameters for C. vespertilionis in Belarus.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys conducted from 2020 to 2023 across Belarus.
• Examination of 1111 bats from 15 species for C. vespertilionis larvae.
• Recording of tick presence, host species, and infestation intensity.

Main Results:

• Carios vespertilionis was recorded at 23 localities in five Belarusian regions (Brest, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk, Mogilev).
• 297 larval specimens were collected from 68 bats of seven species, primarily Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Pipistrellus nathusii.
• Overall prevalence was 5.9%, with a mean intensity of 4.4 larvae per host; highest loads were on P. nathusii and P. pygmaeus.

Conclusions:

• This study significantly expands the known geographic range of Carios vespertilionis within Belarus.
• New data on host specificity and infestation levels provide crucial insights into the parasite-host dynamics in the region.