Parasitization of bats by bat flies (Streblidae) in fragmented habitats

Parasites represent a large fraction of the world’s biodiversity.
They control host population sizes and contribute to ecosystem functioning.
However, surveys on species diversity rarely include parasitic species.
Bats often present traits favoring parasite diversity, such as large home
ranges, long life spans, and large colonies. The most conspicuous bat
parasites are the highly host specific, blood-sucking bat flies (Diptera:
Streblidae, Nycteribiidae). Recent studies have found a direct effect of
habitat alteration on the abundance of bat species. We expected, therefore,
that changes in the host community in response to anthropogenic habitat
modification will also result in changes in the associated parasite
community. We captured bats in three different habitats in Central Panama
between 2013 and 2015. We recorded information on prevalence and intensity
of bat fly parasitization of the seven most commonly captured bat species.
Prevalence and intensity were both significantly influenced by roost type,
abundance, and host sex and age. We found that habitat variables and matrix
type significantly influenced the prevalence and intensity of
parasitization, while the direction of the responses were host species- and
parasite species-specific. In general, roosting conditions and behavior of
host bats appear to be fundamental in explaining changes in prevalence and
intensity of parasitization between different habitat types, as bat flies
are bound to the roost during their reproductive cycle. Habitat alterations
affects next to the host community composition also the availability of
possible roost structures as well as microclimatic conditions, which all
three reflect in parasitization.