Bat flies: Obligate ectoparasites of bats

Abstract

Concluding remarks: Bat flies are highly specialized for a nearly permanent ectoparasitic relationship with their hosts, the Chiroptera. Although known life-histories are rather similar across all taxa, bat flies exhibit a variety of morphological adaptations, most suiting them for the two physical substrates offered to them by their bat hosts, the fur and the flight membranes. These morphological adaptations and the ecological diversity of their hosts make bat flies an excellent group in which to study the parasitic relationship, including morphological accommodations, cospeciation, and coevolution.