Diet and ectoparasites of the southern short-tailed shrew (Blarina carolinensis) in Louisiana

Authors

Terry L. Sylvester, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LAFollow
Justin D. Hoffman, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LAFollow
Eddie K. Lyons, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LAFollow

Abstract

Diet items and ectoparasites were identified from 15 southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) captured during a one-year study (December 2009–November 2010). Twenty different diet items were found in 13 southern short-tailed shrews. Collectively, insects made up the bulk of these shrews’ diet (92%), with Diptera and Hymenoptera being most prevalent. Plant material and arachnids occurred 46% of the time. Six of the diet items identified are new reports for the southern short-tailed shrew. Nine ectoparasite species were collected from 11 of the southern short-tailed shrews, comprising 8 species of mites and one species of tick. Orycteroxenus soricisand Androlaelaps fahrenholzi were the most frequent (36%) ectoparasites collected. Two of the ectoparasites (Ornithonyssus bacoti and Ixodes scapularis) are new host records, and 5 of the 8 species of mites collected were not previously reported as occurring in Louisiana.


Se identificaron elementos de la dieta y ectoparásitos en 15 musarañas de cola corta del sur (Blarina carolinensis) que se capturaron durante un estudio realizado durante un año (diciembre de 2009–noviembre de 2010). Se encontraron veinte elementos diferentes de la dieta en 13 musarañas de cola corta del sur. De manera conjunta, los insectos constituyeron la mayor parte de la dieta de las musarañas (92%) siendo Diptera e Hymenoptera los más prevalentes. El 46% de las veces se encontró material vegetal y arácnidos. Seis de los elementos de la dieta identificados son reportes nuevos para la musaraña de cola corta del sur. Se colectaron nueve especies de ectoparásitos de 11 de las musarañas de cola corta del sur que comprendieron ocho especies de ácaros y una especie de garrapata. Orycteroxenus soricis y Androlaelaps fahrenholzi fueron los ectoparásitos colectados más frecuentes (36%). Dos de los ectoparásitos (Ornithonyssus bacoti e Ixodes scapularis) son nuevos registros en estos huéspedes y cinco de las ocho especies de ácaros colectados no se habían reportado anteriormente para Louisiana.

Recommended Citation

Sylvester, Terry L.; Hoffman, Justin D.; and Lyons, Eddie K. (2013) "Diet and ectoparasites of the southern short-tailed shrew (Blarina carolinensis) in Louisiana," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 72: No. 4, Article 15.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol72/iss4/15