WAWROCKA, Kamila Joanna and Tomáš BARTONIČKA. Erythrocyte size as one of potential causes of host preferences in cimicids (Cimex spp., Heteroptera: Cimicidae). Vespertilio. Skupina pre ochranu netopierov, 2014, vol. 17, No 1, p. 215-220. ISSN 1213-6123.
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Basic information
Original name Erythrocyte size as one of potential causes of host preferences in cimicids (Cimex spp., Heteroptera: Cimicidae)
Authors WAWROCKA, Kamila Joanna (616 Poland, belonging to the institution) and Tomáš BARTONIČKA (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
Edition Vespertilio, Skupina pre ochranu netopierov, 2014, 1213-6123.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
Country of publisher Czech Republic
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14310/14:00079917
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Keywords in English Bat and bed bugs RBC hematocrit bats human
Tags AKR, rivok
Changed by Changed by: doc. Mgr. Tomáš Bartonička, Ph.D., učo 54832. Changed: 19/2/2018 10:43.
Abstract
Cimicids are haematophagous insects whose life cycle, reproduction and survival rate depends on the blood of its hosts. Blood ingredients play a crucial role there. Two lineages have been identified in Cimex lectularius - bat- and human-associated bed bugs. Also bat bugs C. pipistrelli differ in particular bat hosts. We found some differences between the two lineages of bed bugs in the speed of moulting, length of life and reproduction success in cross-host experiments. It was considered that the bug proboscis could be very narrow and that red blood cells might not be able to pass through it. Therefore the first aim of this study was to find out whether the red blood cell (RBC) size has an impact on the occurrence of cimicids in bat and human host. Except one observation on Plecotus auritus, bat bugs never occurred in certain bat species i.e. Barbastella barbastellus, Rhinolophus hipposideros and Plecotus austriacus. We classified them as non-specific bug hosts, while the other bat species as specific hosts. The second aim of this study was to compare RBC size in specific and non-specific bat hosts. We collected blood samples from seven bat genera represented by 12 vespertilionid species and one rhinolophid species. Diameters of red cells were measured. We found some differences between the bat species, however, there was no clear correlation in erythrocyte size between specific and non-specific bat hosts and humans. Therefore RBC size is probably not the reason why some bat species are not parasitized by cimicids.
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