Antoinette Uwimpuhwe

Biology 1615
Journal Article Summary:
Geographical distribution of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae),
including two new records, Nycteribia allotopa and N. formosana, collected from bats
(Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) in the Republic of Korea
I.

Introduction

This article was written as a report of research findings. The research was conducted by
the 65th Medical brigade of the United States Army in cooperation with the Korea National
Institute of biological Resources. The study was a survey of bats in the Republic of Korea,
aiming to determine their distribution and that of their ectoparasites and their host-parasite
relationship.
The report starts by a description and classification of the bat flies. According to the
authors, there are two families of bat flies: the Nycteribiidae, classified in 275 species and the
Streblidae, classified in 227; they are both obligate ectoparasites and feed on host blood; they are
both larviparous and attach their larvae to structures where bats live; and their morphology is
adapted to help them live on their hosts hair.
The authors described the Nycteribiidae as being wingless and looking like spiders and
depending on their host for transportation. They described the Streblidae as having wings and
resembling the Hyppoboscidae but living only in areas where temperature stays above 10.
The authors mentioned that no comprehensive study of bats ectoparasites had ever been
conducted in the Republic of Korea and that the previous research only studied five species of
Nycteribiidae and one species of Streblidae.
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Antoinette Uwimpuhwe

II.

Material and Methods

This study was conducted between 2007 and 2009 in the Republic of Korea. Bats were
captured in caves, abandoned mines and under bridges at 30 sites in eight provinces and two
metropolitan cities. Bat flies were removed from bats and sent to Seaoul, in the Yongsan Army
Garrison, for identification by the 5th Medical Detachment of the 168th Multifunctional Medical
Battalion of the 65th Medical Brigade. Maa kies were used for identification of the bat flies.
Subsequently, they were sent to Dr. Carl W. Dick for identification confirmation at the
Department of Biology of the Western Kentucky University.
III.

Results

142 bats were captured. They belonged to ten specifies distributed in the two families: the
Rhinolophidaae and the Vespertilionidae.
19 out of 142 bats captured carried the bat flies (13.4%).
39 adult bat flies were collected from six species of Nycteribiidae (five identified and one
unidentified Nycteribia) and one species of Streblidae.
M. schreibersi species was the most commonly infected with bat flies (47.4%), followed
by R. ferrumequinum (21.1%), M. macrodactylus (15.8%), and M. mystacinus (15.8%).
N. allotopa mikado was the most commonly identified bat fly but it was only collected
from M. schreibersi,
IV.

Discussion

In their discussion, the authors contended that their study was the first that found N.
allotopa mikado and N. formosana in the Republic of Korea. They explained that N. allotapa
mikado was being considered a species because it had been previously identified as a new
species, different from N. allotapa allotapa and N. Allotapa meridian.

Antoinette Uwimpuhwe

According to the authors, N formosana and N. uenoi are very difficult to distinguish
morphologically and they called for more studies of their morphology in order to improve their
identification keys.
Finally, the researchers stated that the Korean Nycteribia sp is still under study in order to
determine their exact classification. They also stated that the role N. allotopa mikado and N.
formosana as vectors of zoonotic pathogens was unknown and ended their report by
recommending more studies of bat flies as potential vectors of zoonotic pathogens. They
concluded: Recent dramatic changes in the ecologic landscape of the RoK, including road
construction, reforestation, and the proliferation of outdoor recreational activities associated with
the countrys rapid economic development, have increased the likelihood that humans and their
domestic animals come into closer contact with bats, their ectoparasites, and associated
pathogens. Further studies on the geographical and seasonal distributions of bat flies and their
associated hosts are needed to better understand their biology and ecology and to determine their
role as potential vectors of zoonotic pathogens
References:
Kim, H.C., Han, S.H., Dick, C.W., Choi, Y.G., Chong, S.T., Klein, T. A. and Rueda, L.M.
(2012). Geographical distribution of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae),
including two new records, Nycteribia allotopa and N. formosana, collected from bats
(Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae) in the Republic of Korea. Journal of
Vector Ecology 37 (2): 333-337.

Antoinette Uwimpuhwe