A large literature is devoted to the issues of geographical distribution of various flea taxa. However, an analysis of the characteristics of the faunas of individual regions and subregions and the connections between them has not been carried out. This issue was raised in part by Traub (1980b) in connection with his hypothesis about faunal connections between South America and Australia. Data on the distribution of flea species and their hosts were published in a series of papers by Lewis (Lewis, 1972; 1973; 1974a; 1974b; 1974c; 1975). Subsequently, these publications were supplemented with information about new species and subspecies (Lewis and Lewis, 1985; Lewis, 1993).
Information about the flea fauna of Russia and neighboring countries is contained in a number of well-known works by domestic authors (Ioff, Skalon, 1954; Ioff et al., 1965; Skalon, 1970; Tiflov et al., 1977).
We (Medvedev, 1996) have identified features of the distribution and parasite-host relationships of individual families of fleas, features of the faunas of individual zoogeographic regions and connections between them. To accomplish this task, we created a card index of species and subspecies of fleas of the world fauna, in which the available literary information was summarized. Based on these materials and the ZOOCOD2 classifier program (Lobanov, Zaitsev, 1991), a database was created on the systematic position of 1949 species from 241 genera of fleas, which made it possible, using a special program, to analyze the composition of the flea fauna of various zoogeographical regions and the connections between them. In addition to the above works, we used monographs on the fauna of Russia and neighboring countries (Ioff, Skalon, 1954; Ioff et al., 1965; Skalon, 1970; Tiflov et al., 1977), as well as reports on the fauna of individual countries.
Why are fleas dangerous?
The most common problem associated with flea bites is flea allergic dermatitis (FAD), manifested by itching, excessive shedding, hair loss and even baldness. Dogs suffering from itching become less obedient and irritated.
A common complication of flea allergy dermatitis is pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection in which the skin may become red, moist, sticky, crusty, and pustular.
Treatment of a bacterial infection can be lengthy, and bacteria may develop resistance to antibiotics. Small dogs may develop anemia (anemia) due to constant blood loss associated with feeding on a large number of fleas. There is evidence that up to 700 fleas were found on one dog! In addition, fleas are carriers of the helminth – cucumber tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum), which develops in the small intestine of animals (including dogs and cats) and humans. Infection occurs through accidental ingestion of infected fleas and their larvae. Small children who play on the floor in a room with a flea-infested dog are often infected.
Pupa and adult
The further stage of flea development is the transformation from larva to pupa. In this form they can be stored for a year, tolerating cold weather quite well. After a certain period, due to warm weather or the presence of a warm-blooded animal, adult fleas emerge from the pupae. Under normal conditions, their full development cycle occurs in three to four weeks.
How long fleas live depends on their living conditions and the combination of various circumstances. In general, the duration of flea existence can be not only months, but also years. These insects attack animals, and in their absence, even humans. If fleas can survive for a long time in the external environment, then their feeding and reproduction is impossible without cats and dogs. And the food of adult individuals is only blood, which they consume in huge quantities.
Where do fleas come from?
A distinctive feature of fleas is their unique jumping ability, which allows them to easily move through their environment. The flea is capable of jumping up to 50 - 70 cm and up to a meter in the horizontal direction! Being in the environment, with the help of antennas sensitive to temperature and vibration of air flow, the flea is able to find a dog, even if it passes a meter away from it.
The flea life cycle, including eggs, larvae and pupae, occurs in the environment, usually close to the dog's habitat (bedding, carpets, floor cracks, soil surfaces and dust). Flea pupae can survive in a cool, dry room for 6 months to a year. When favorable conditions occur, adult fleas quickly hatch and land on the dog. Thus, fleas found on dogs are only 1–10% of the entire flea population in the animal’s environment.
Adult insects spend most of their lives on their host; only 3–8% of adult fleas move from one animal to another. Therefore, the main source of infection is the environment.
General characteristics of the distribution of the order of fleas
The world fauna of fleas includes about 2000 species and 550 subspecies, belonging, in accordance with our classification, to 18 families. The flea fauna of the Palaearctic is the richest (Table 1). It has 892 species belonging to 96 genus, which is 38% of all known species and 38% of all known genera. There are approximately the same number of species in the faunas of the Nearctic (299 species), Afrotropical (275 species) and Neotropical (289 species) regions. The fauna of the Indo-Malayan region includes 191 species, and the Australian - 68 species. In each region, from 7 to 10 families of fleas are represented. In terms of the total number of genera, the fauna of the Nearctic region is second after the Palearctic region (68 genera), the third is the Neotropical region (55 genera), the fourth is the Indo-Malayan region (52 genera), the fifth is the Afrotropical region (43 genera), the sixth is the Australian (26 genera). .
The largest number of endemic genera is in the Neotropical (31) and Australian (15) regions, accounting for approximately 56 and 58% of the total number of genera represented in them. A high percentage of endemic genera is characteristic of the Afrotropical (60.5%) and Indo-Malayan (42.3%) regions. In the Palearctic and Nearctic regions they constitute 45 and 36.8% of their total number, respectively.
The highest commonality index (CI) at the genus level (Table 4) is between the faunas of the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions (it is 22.3%). The fauna of the Nearctic is also close to the fauna of the Neotropical region (ir. 21.7%), and the Palaearctic - to the Indo-Malayan region (ir. 17.4%). And about. between the Indo-Malayan and Afrotropical regions is 11.7%, and a.i. between the Indo-Malayan and Australian regions - 13.0%.
How to tell if a dog has fleas
According to the experience of veterinarians, it is difficult to detect these fast parasites on a dog, although once they get on a dog, adult fleas spend 90% of their time on the body of their owner. Usually, a careful inspection will reveal only a few fleas on areas of skin with sparse fur, such as a dog's belly. You can also comb your dog with a fine comb, however, catching these insects is quite difficult.
A simple way to prove a flea infestation on a dog is to use a wet paper test to detect their feces. To do this, the dog is placed on damp white paper or cloth and combed with a comb. The appearance of black grains on the paper, giving a brown-red halo around, confirms the presence of fleas.
Since allergies to flea saliva often develop, even a single flea bite can cause debilitating itching in a dog, while the parasites themselves may not be visible. In this case, antiparasitic treatment is carried out using a flea remedy for dogs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Bed bug bites
Flea bites, like mosquito bites, are located in a chaotic order, only on open areas of the body. The bug's "prints" line up in one line.
Features of bedbug bites
- Each bug feeds periodically, going out to hunt approximately once every 3 days.
- The bites are arranged at a distance of up to 5 cm from each other in a clear line.
- Coagulated blood is visible at the site of the bite.
- The body responds to bites with a strong allergic reaction; the bites themselves are painless, because the bug injects an anesthetic substance along with saliva that works for 20 minutes.
- Bites are concentrated on soft areas of the body: stomach, neck, inner thighs, back. The bug cannot bite through fabric, so it feeds only on open areas of the body. Children and women, whose skin is thinner and softer, and whose blood vessels are located closer to its surface, are more often attacked.
- The bug feeds exclusively at night.
- The insect lives both in unsanitary and in the cleanest rooms.
- The parasite can be transferred to other rooms on clothing.
Attention!
The young bedbug larva does not inject an anesthetic substance; its bite causes pain. Therefore, the “young” insect can be detected at the moment of the bite.
Flea larvae
When faced with the problem of flea allergy dermatitis, many owners wash their dog with anti-parasitic shampoo. This measure allows you to get rid of only a small part of the flea population, and the presence of larvae and pupae in the environment allows the dog to become infected again and again. When the symptoms do not go away, the owners begin to look for ways to solve the problem; by searching for “flea larvae in a dog photo” in an Internet search, they find moving worm-like larvae of white or brownish-yellowish color, but do not find them on their dog. How to detect the main representatives of the flea population? Having hatched from eggs located in animal habitats (bedding, carpets, dust, sandy soil), the larvae molt, pupate and turn into adult parasites that again attack the dog. Thus, only adult fleas and their feces can be found on the animal.
From eggs to larvae
Over the entire period of its existence, the flea goes through several stages of development: from egg to larva, from larva to pupa, from pupa to adult insect. The eggs are laid by the female on the animal's fur or in its habitat. One flea can lay up to twenty-five of them per day, and throughout its life - up to six hundred. Sometimes eggs, like grains of salt, cover the animal's body, which contributes to their scattering everywhere.
After some time, the larvae are born. At this stage, their appearance is completely different and different from what a flea looks like as an adult. The food of the larvae consists of any organic matter, including the feces of adults. And in the absence of such food, they can eat each other. The larvae live together with the owner, so they are most often found on the animal’s rug, in genital crevices, in basements, etc.
Treatment of fleas in dogs, or how to remove fleas
This section will talk about how to rid your dog of fleas. Collars, shampoos, sprays, spot-on drops and tablets are used to control adult fleas. The choice of drugs is quite large, but the question of how to remove fleas from a dog remains relevant. Currently, veterinary pharmacies offer a wide variety of flea and tick medications for dogs. How to choose the right flea medicine for dogs? Anti-flea shampoos act quickly; immediately after washing, the owner can see large numbers of dead fleas. It would seem that this is the most effective remedy. However, immediately after such a bath, the dog can become infected again through contact with contaminated bedding or carpet, or when going outside. Collars have a longer protective effect, however, the distribution of the antiparasitic component over inflamed skin can cause additional irritation at the site of contact of the collar. It is important to remember that the collar must touch the dog's skin tightly to distribute the active substance, which is sometimes difficult in dogs with long, thick hair. The choice of flea drops is also varied; it is worth choosing drugs with a low local irritant effect and having an “umbrella effect”, i.e. that help kill flea larvae in the environment, for example, Stronghold drops in the form of drops on the withers. Other forms of drugs active against fleas are tablets containing drugs from the isoxazoline group, for example, Simparica, which works against fleas and ticks for 35 days.
Effective treatment of flea allergy dermatitis involves not only killing adult fleas on the dog, but also treating the environment, for which sprays containing antiparasitic agents can be used, and a vacuum cleaner can also be of significant help. A prerequisite is to destroy the contents of the dust collector immediately after cleaning the room, since fleas and their larvae are mobile.
To relieve itching, symptomatic treatment is also prescribed, since itching may persist for some time, despite flea treatment. For this you can use Apoquel tablets. The drug is prescribed orally (with food or separately) at a rate of 0.4 - 0.6 mg/kg body weight twice a day, as long as there is itching, but not more than 2 weeks, then, if necessary, once a day. Apoquel is not recommended to be given to puppies under one year of age, to males during the mating period, to pregnant and lactating females, and to dogs with malignant tumors only under the supervision of a veterinarian. The drug is a low-hazard substance and is not a hormone or cytostatic; however, persistence of itching for more than two weeks after antiparasitic treatment requires additional diagnostics. Hormonal medications to control itching should only be prescribed by a veterinarian due to the presence of a large number of contraindications and the high likelihood of side effects.
Wet or crusty lesions are treated with antiseptics or the dog is bathed using antibacterial shampoos according to the instructions. In some cases, systemic use of antibiotics or creams containing antibiotics is necessary. This therapy is prescribed by a doctor.
Characteristics of the distribution of flea infraorders
2.1. Infraorder Hystrichopsyllomorpha
Sem. Hystrichopsyllidae is the most extensive in the order. It has 580 species belonging to 9 subfamilies. Each of the subfamilies has its own significant morphological features. In addition, representatives of this family have mastered the widest range of hosts, including, according to our data, species of 16 genera of insectivores, 7 genera of marsupials, 65 genera of rodents (including 9 genera of squirrels, 37 genera of hamsters, 19 genera of mice) and 5 genera of carnivores.
The place of origin of most subfamilies most likely should be attributed to the Holarctic. Representatives of the family Hystrichopsyllidae spread mainly to hamsters, which arose in the Oligocene (Vorontsov, 1968; Carroll, 1993), along the mountain systems of Eurasia and North America through Beringia, from where they penetrated through Europe into Africa. Distribution to North America could have occurred along the North Atlantic and Beringian land bridges. From North America, species of the family penetrated into South America probably twice: at the end of the Cretaceous and in the Miocene. Probably secondary species of the family. Hystrichopsyllidae spread from the foothills to lowland forests, as well as to the semi-deserts and deserts of the Iran-Turanian subregion. Species of the family are poorly represented in the deserts of the Sahara-Arabian and Cape subregions.
Sem. Chimaeropsyllidae, according to our data, is close to the family. Hystrichopsyllidae (Medvedev, 1995a). It is endemic to the Afrotropical region, where its species are almost entirely confined to the Cape subregion. The least specialized genus in the family is Chiastopsylla. The hosts of 16 species of this genus are rats and mice. Genera with more specialized structural features of the head and chest parasitize both mice and jumping insects of the Afrotropical neg. Macroscelidea, known from the Eocene-Miocene. It is possible that fleas are fam. Chimaeropsyllidae were associated with mice and later switched to parasitism in the arid conditions of the Cape subregion and on jumping hoppers.
Another family that we bring closer to this one. Hystrichopsyllidae, is the family. Stephanocircidae. Fleas in this family are traditionally considered "primitive" mainly due to their relationship with marsupials. Primitive characters include the presence of a gap between the pygidial plate and the anal tergite in females, the absence of a well-developed condyle in the digitoid, etc. This family is divided into two subfamilies that have well-defined structural features of the head, chest and aedeagus (Medvedev, 1995a). One of them, Stephanocircinae, is distributed in Australia on various marsupials and rats (Dunnet and Mardon, 1974). In South America the subfamily is represented. Craneopsyllinae, species of which parasitize hamsters living in the highlands of the Andes (Johnson, 1957; Schramm and Lewis, 1988). The structural features of fleas of this family are determined by their lifestyle, i.e., adaptation to fast and maneuverable movement in the host’s fur. It is quite possible that the original fleas of the family. Stephanocircidae were widely related to South American marsupials, most of which became extinct. Parasitism on marsupials that do not have nests led to the development of morphological adaptations inherent in “hair fleas” of the ischnopsylloid type. Probably seven. Stephanocircidae could have arisen during the same period when the ancestors of the subfamily penetrated into South America. Doratopsyllinae.
The last family of the infraorder Hystrichopsyllomorpha is fam. Macropsyllidae. Fleas of two genera were collected from rats and various marsupials. This family is probably a relict part of the South American-Australian flea fauna that parasitized marsupials.
2.2. Infraorder Pygiopsyllomorpha
This infraorder is represented by three families. Sem. Pygiopsyllidae contains 165 species belonging to 37 genera. It is divided into three subfamilies of unequal size (Dunnet and Mardon, 1974; Mardon, 1981). Although special morphological studies have been devoted to this family (Mardon, 1978), a scheme of phylogenetic relationships of its genera has not been developed.
We consider this group at the rank of a superfamily and subdivide it into three independent families, corresponding in size to the old subfamilies (Mardon, 1984). This is due to the fact that the first of them, Lycopsyllinae, stands out sharply in its structural features from the other two. The closed antennal fossae and shortened antenna, which in fleas of the genus Uropsylla are equipped with a club-shaped outgrowth, are similar to similar structures of the family. Pulicidae.
Of the other two families, one - Stivaliidae - is distinguished by a number of specialized structural features of the aedeagus and sexual claw. Representatives of the second, Pygiopsyllidae proper, do not have the specialized structural features of the first family, differing from it in the way the digitoid is attached to the body of the claw.
Feature of distribution over all. Pygiopsylloidea is confined to many of its genera in the Indo-Malayan region, where 26 of 37 genera and 62% of the species of their total are distributed. Most of these genera (22 genera) are representatives of the family. Stivaliidae Moreover, the largest part of endemic genera (13) is concentrated in the Papuan subregion, in particular in New Guinea. A number of genera of the family. Stivaliidae are represented in the fauna of Southeast Asia, as well as in Africa, where they parasitize mouse and tupaya. Sem. Pygiopsyllidae is more widely represented in Australia (7 genera out of 10 known), 4 genera of this family are also common in New Zealand. Sem. Lycopsyllidae has 4 genera, species of which parasitize echidnas, wombats and predatory marsupials.
2.3. Infraorder Ceratophyllomorpha
This infraorder is represented by one superfamily. Ceratophylloidea, consisting of four families: Xiphiopsyllidae, Ceratophyllidae, Leptopsyllidae and Ischnopsyllidae.
Sem. Xiphiopsyllidae is represented by a single genus, Xiphiopsylla, species of which are distributed among mice in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda). A peculiarity of fleas of this family are the peculiar evenly thickened bristles located on the chest and abdomen. However, in general, fleas of this family are similar to fleas of the family. Ceratophyllidae.
Sem. Ceratophyllidae has 397 species belonging to 44 genera. Most of the species are represented in the fauna of the Palaearctic (49% of the total species) and the Nearctic (30% of the species). Fauna species of the Neotropical region account for 11, Indo-Malayan - 7 and Afrotropical - 4%. Representatives of the family are absent from the faunas of New Guinea and Australia, but are known from New Zealand. Its representatives did not gain significant distribution in South Asia, whose mouse fauna includes 64 endemic genera (calculation according to: Corbett, Hill, 1986).
The faunas of the Nearctic and Neotropical regions are most closely related to each other (19.2%). The Palaearctic fauna is also closely related to the fauna of the Nearctic (17.5%) and the Indo-Malayan region (18.5%).
Sem. Ceratophyllidae has a distinctly Asian-American type of distribution, due to the existence of the Beringian land bridge in the past. It is difficult to indicate the place of origin of this family without additional morphological analysis. However, Traub and Rothschild (1983) confidently argue that it arose in North America on sciurids in the early Oligocene (38-40 million years ago) and secondarily adapted to hamsters, other groups of rodents and birds. The youth of the family is supported by the absence of its representatives in more ancient groups of animals - marsupials, insectivores, mole rats, etc.
Sem. Leptopsyllidae contains 235 species belonging to 30 genera. In a special work (Medvedev, Kotti, 1992) the macrosystem of the family was substantiated, which we divided into three subfamilies: monotypic subfamily. Dolichopsyllinae, as well as the large subfamilies Paradoxopsyllinae and Leptopsyllinae. A peculiarity of the distribution of the family is that 205 species from 26 genera (87% of their total number) are concentrated in the Palearctic. In the Nearctic there are 17 species from 7 genera; the Afrotropical and Indo-Malayan regions are known for 10 species belonging to 3-4 genera.
Most of the species of the family. Leptopsyllidae belongs to the tribes Leptopsyllini (68 species), Amphipsyllini (36 species), and Paradoxopsyllini (125 species). The largest genera of these tribes (Leptopsylla, Peromyscopsylla, Pectinoctenus, Ctenophyllus, Frontopsylla, Ophthalmopsylla, Paradoxopsyllus) tend in their distribution to the Palearctic. At the same time, species of the tribes Amphipsyllini and Paradoxopsyllini are confined to the central and eastern parts, and the tribe Leptopsyllini is confined to the western and central parts of the Palaearctic. In the tribe Paradoxopsyllini, the connection of its species with mountain landscapes is clearly evident, and only a small part of the species of the tribe is confined to lowland steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. Among the representatives of the tribe there are almost no inhabitants of forest biotopes. The evolution of the tribe Paradoxopsyllini, as well as the monotypic tribe Amphipsyllini, is associated primarily with parasitism on rodents of the family. Cricetidae, particularly the subfamilies Cricetinae and Microtinae. An interesting fact is that representatives of this family are absent in North America in the hamster subfamily. Hesperomiinae. Nevertheless, a number of species of Madagascar genera of the tribe Leptopsyllini parasitize hamsters of the subfamily. Nesomyinae.
The most interesting information for reconstruction of distribution is provided by small tribes of the subfamily. Leptopsyllinae. Most likely seven. Leptopsyllinae originated in Asia, from where it spread to North America on the Aplodontiaceae. This could have happened in the Eocene. Species of the genus Odontopsyllus, parasitizing hares, could have penetrated from North America to Europe along the North Atlantic route. Much later, the genera Aconothobius, Ctenophyllus, Geusibia, Amphipsylla, Peromyscopsylla on hamsters and mice could have entered North America through the Beringian land bridge. Probably, initially this family was related, in addition to Aplodontiaceae, also to Gundiaceae and Jerboaaceae, known since the early Eocene. Later evolution of the family. Leptopsyllidae was caused by parasitism on Palearctic hamsters, which arose at the beginning of the Oligocene, and later - with mice, which appeared in the Pleistocene. At the same time, in the tribes Leptopsyllini and Amphipsyllini this process followed the path of adaptation to permanent residence in the host’s fur, and Paradoxopsyllini to habitation in a nest and periodic attack on the host.
Sem. Ischnopsyllidae includes 122 species belonging to 20 genera. Fleas of this family are parasites of chiropterans. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Thaumapsyllinae and Ischnopsyllinae. The first of them is monotypic. Its fleas are parasites of fruit bats in the tropics of the Old World. The second subfamily contains 19 genera whose fleas parasitize bats. Its classification and phylogeny were substantiated in detail earlier (Medvedev, 1985). Later, the patterns of parasite-host relationships and geographic distribution of taxa of this family were examined (Medvedev, 1990).
Subfamily Ischnopsyllinae is divided according to our classification into 5 tribes. Geographical groupings of taxa correspond to tribes identified on morphological criteria. Thus, the tribes Chiropteropsyllini and Ischnopsyllini unite representatives of the faunas of the Afrotropical, Indo-Malayan and Palearctic regions, the tribe Sternopsyllini - genera of the Neotropical region, the tribe Porribiini - Australian, the tribe Nycteridopsyllini includes the only genus with a Holarctic distribution. The Palaearctic fauna is the largest in terms of the number of species (50) and genera (out of 8 genera, one is endemic). In the Afrotropical region there are 26 species of 9 genera (3 endemic genera). In the fauna of the Neotropical region there are 13 species of 6 genera (4 endemic genera), the Indo-Malayan - 21 species of 6 genera, the Australian - 7 species of 4 genera (2 endemic genera). The closest connections are found in the faunas of the Afrotropical and Indo-Malayan regions (56%), to which the Palaearctic fauna is close (33%). Close connections are found between the faunas of the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. The fauna of the Australian region is the most isolated (Medvedev, 1985).
2.4. Infraorder Pulicomorpha
The infraorder unites 5 superfamilies and 7 families. The ways of their distribution differ from those of the infraorders Hystrichopsyllomorpha, Pygiopsyllomorpha, Ceratophyllomorpha.
The taxa of the latter have a Eurasian-American and American-Australian distribution. Taxa of the infraorder Pulicomorpha demonstrate connections between the faunas of Africa and Asia, Africa and South America. Representatives of the infraorder are less closely related to rodents. If such a connection exists, then it is inherent in young groups of fleas and hosts or, on the contrary, it arises between the earliest flea taxa and host groups.
Fleas fam. Vermipsyllidae (39 species of 3 genera) parasitize carnivores and ungulates, the family. Ancistropsyllidae (3 species of 1 genus) - on ungulates. The families Pulicidae (156 species in 22 genera) and Tungidae (23 species in 4 genera) have a wide range of hosts. Representatives of the family Rhopalopsyllidae (121 species of 10 genera) are parasites of caviomorph rodents and hamster subfamily. Hesperomiinae, as well as edentates, armadillos and birds. Sem. Malacopsyllidae (2 species 2 genera) are closely related to armadillos.
Representatives of this infraorder are united by similarities in the characteristics of the head, chest and reproductive apparatus. Probably the closest to the original form of the pulicoid complex are fleas of the monotypic family. Coptopsyllidae. Species of this family are common in Western and Central Asia on gerbils. The only North African species of this genus, Coptopsylla wassiliewi, has a tooth directed upward, similar to the teeth of the South American family. Rhopalopsyllidae. However, in fleas of other species of the genus Coptopsylla, deep grooves extend to the sides from this tooth. These grooves are sometimes mistaken for the border between the clypeus and the forehead.
It can be assumed that an ancestral group of the pulicoid complex existed in Africa. From Africa through Europe, the ancestral taxa of the families Vermipsyllidae and Ancistropsyllidae penetrated into Asia. At the same time, fleas of the first family parasitize on carnivores, and the second - on deer. In Africa, the family is most widespread. Pulicidae, which widely inhabits various groups of animals - hyraxes, striders, rodents, lagomorphs, warthogs and carnivores. Subsequently, fleas of the genera Echidnophaga and Xenopsylla penetrated into Asia, and fleas of the genus Echidnophaga spread to Australia. Here, fleas of 10 endemic species of the genus Echidnophaga parasitize echidnas, marsupials and rodents.
Species of the tribe Spilopsyllini family. Pulicidae parasitize hares. Modern genera of this tribe are confined mainly to the Nearctic region, from where they again enter the Western Palearctic. Fleas of the genus Nesolagobius, classified into a monotypic tribe, are also associated with hare. Fleas of the only species of this genus parasitize striped Sumatran hares. Representatives of the genus Nesolagobius are distinguished by a unique feature - a deep interantennal ridge, which has the appearance of a deep invagination (without a seam on the outer surface of the head).
The connections between Africa and South America are evidenced by the spread of the family. Tungidae. The genus Neotunga is represented in Africa, species of which parasitize pangolins. Two other genera, Hectopsylla and Rhynchopsyllus, are found in South America. The distribution of the genus Tunga is interesting, species of which are represented in South and North America, Japan and China.
The South American families Rhopalopsyllidae and Malacopsyllidae have a number of characters similar to those of the families Pulicidae and Tungidae. Fleas are on everyone. Rhopalopsylloidea is represented in the North American fauna by only a few species of the clearly specialized genera Polygenis and Rhopalopsyllus. The latter are widely represented in South America on various hosts. Although fleas are fam. Rhopalopsyllidae parasitize a wide range of South American mammals, their distribution being significantly limited by that of caviomorphic rodents. They do not penetrate deep into North America, such as hamsters. Most likely, the ancestors of these two families entered South America along with caviomorphic rodents from Africa.
Flea treatment for dogs
How to get rid of fleas on a dog?
Once faced with a flea problem, owners hope to find the best flea treatment for dogs.
It is preferable to use drugs that, when applied to the dog’s skin, also help treat the environment and kill the flea population. What flea treatment for dogs has this “umbrella effect”? Such drugs include Stronghold in the form of drops on the withers. The drug is applied to intact dry skin at the base of the neck in a dose corresponding to the instructions for the weight of the animal every month. The drug is quickly absorbed from the skin, bathing with shampoo does not reduce its effectiveness, so the dog can be washed with shampoo within a couple of hours after applying Stronghold. The drug is not recommended for use in puppies under 6 weeks of age if the dog is hypersensitive to Stronghold. Treatment of pregnant and lactating females with Stronghold is permitted, but it is recommended that it be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Many, even experienced dog owners who regularly use the same flea and tick treatment for dogs, may encounter the problem of flea infestation in their dog, despite the treatment. Why is this happening? In some cases, the ineffectiveness of flea treatment is associated with an insufficient dose of the drug. Flea and tick medications for dogs should be used as directed. This is especially important to consider when treating puppies, whose weight can double during the period of action of the drug. Therefore, when treating puppies for fleas, it is recommended to use a drug that has low toxicity, the dose of which can be calculated based on the weight of the puppy by the end of the effect of the drug against fleas and ticks for dogs. Another reason for ineffectiveness of drop treatments is incorrect application of the drug. Most topical products spread over the dog's skin; running spot-on through the coat is ineffective. In addition, a product that has proven to be an effective flea treatment for dogs for many years may become resistant to fleas after some time.
Simparika, produced in tablets, which is an active drug against fleas and ticks, will help solve the above issues. The drug is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is low-hazard in terms of the degree of impact on the dog’s body. The drug is in the blood in a protein-bound state at a therapeutic concentration for 35 days. Bathing your dog with shampoo does not affect its activity against fleas and ticks. Contraindications are increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, age under 8 weeks, as well as severe renal and liver dysfunction and infectious diseases. As a rule, dogs voluntarily eat the tablet, since it has a liver taste that is attractive to the dog; eating the food does not affect the absorption of the drug.
Features of reproduction
No matter how strange it may sound, the reproduction of fleas is a rather complex and lengthy process. Its successful completion is possible only if certain conditions are met.
The female flea has 1 or 2 pairs of ovaries, as well as special seminal receptacles - oviducts. The males of these parasites are endowed with 2 testes, at the end of which there is a genital claw. It is through this that the seed is released.
In order for the breeding process to be successful, both the female and the male must be well-fed. Without food, fleas cannot reproduce. During the mating process, the female climbs onto the male’s back and pulls his genital claw into her spermatic receptacle.
After some time, the process of moving the seed along the channel begins. Usually it lasts no more than 10–15 minutes, but for about 2 hours after mating the insects do not disengage. The female can then immediately lay eggs, but only if she is well-fed and healthy. If conditions for the production of offspring are unfavorable, the eggs can remain in the flea’s abdomen for up to several months.
Female fleas do not look for special places to lay eggs. They throw them out in small portions over quite long distances. This method of laying allows increasing the survival rate of future offspring, because the larvae do not have to compete for food.
Experienced owners who already have an idea of how fleas reproduce in cats try to comb their furry pets as often as possible. After all, this is the only way to remove flea eggs from their fur.
Fleas are considered the most common and most tenacious insects, because under favorable conditions, these parasites can reproduce very quickly.
A well-fed flea can lay up to 30 eggs per day in portions of 4–10 pieces. However, in most cases, her strength is only enough for one clutch per day. Over the course of its entire life, each adult lays about 500 eggs and then dies.
Prevalence and species specificity
Cat and dog fleas are common wherever these types of animals are found. Therefore, they can be classified as cosmopolitans.
Southern rat flea - the name itself suggests that this type of flea gravitates more to the southern regions of our country (tropics and subtropics).
The northern rat flea gravitates more towards northern latitudes, since its main feeder is the gray rat (Rattus norvegicus) and, accordingly, it became widespread in parallel with the settlement of the pasyuk.
Human flea - can be found in regions with unfavorable sanitary and hygienic conditions. She gravitates more towards human habitation and feeds on his blood.
How to identify parasite bites
Fleas bite primarily on the legs (ankles, instep and ankles), but can also infect other areas of the body. An insect bite turns into an erythematous spot (up to five millimeters in diameter) or a blister, in the middle of which a red dot can be seen with the naked eye. The tumor goes away quickly, but the spot itself bothers you for several days. At the same time, over time, the “army” of pests increases, so the frequency and intensity of bites also increases. For a long time after the wounds have healed, small scars can be seen on the skin. Flea bites, unlike mosquito bites, take longer to heal. If your skin is hypersensitive, you may develop an allergic reaction or symptoms of urticaria.
