First record of existence of Rhinolophus ferrumequinumin in southwest of Algeria: Morphometric characterization and their ectoparasites
Abstract
L. Hamida*, R. Chaibi, F. Benaceur, A. Benchettouh, A. Rezzoug and H. Gouzi
This research is mainly concerned with the morphometric study of bats in the region of northern Sahara of Algeria and their ectoparasites. In a descriptive approach, capture outings were carried out over a period of 15 months (February 2019 and May 2020) in a natural cave called Kaf El-Maleh in the region of El-Bayadh,allowing us to count 69 individuals (34 males and 35 females) belonging to the species Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. The morphometric analysis of the population shows that the age varies between 6 and 9 years, the weight varies between 13 and 21 g and the total length varies from 8 to 10,80 cm. The results of the comparison of growth in both sexes show that females have a large size compared to males. In addition, 193 individuals of external parasites of bats were found belonging to five species (Spinturnix sp, Ornithonyssus sp, Ischnopsyllus sp, Basilia sp and Ornithodoros sp), the mites were the most abundant group (164 individuals) followed by the Ticks (12 individuals).