Ectoparasitic Bat Flies (Eucampsipoda hyrtlii) Detected on the Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in Antalya, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to report on bat flies collected from a fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus Geoffroy) which was found on the ground for an unknown reason, and was brought to a private veterinary clinic in Antalya. Bat flies on the bat that were brought to the clinic were sampled during examination of the bat. Fly samples were stored in glass tubes containing 70% alcohol and then refrigerated (+4 °C). Species identification was made by using morphological characters under a stereo microscope. A total of 4 adult female bat flies were collected. The species was identified as Eucampsipoda hyrtlii (Kolenati, 1856). This report substantially expands the known distribution of the species. Bats may be infected with different types of parasitic arthropods, and should be examined for the presence of parasites.