Seasonal Dynamics of Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae, Ceratophyllidae and Leptopsyllidae) on <i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i> in a Meso-Mediterranean Area of Central Spain

Abstract Flea infestations of wild rabbits were examined monthly in central Spain a meso-Mediterranean area for 5 yr. A total 1,180 trapped and 7,022 fleas collected from them. Overall, the prevalence was 74.1% with mean flea index 5.95 per rabbit. Four species identified: Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale, 1878) most abundant (accounting 74.3% collected) followed by Xenopsylla cunicularis (Smit, 1957), Odontopsyllus quirosi (Gil Collado, 1934), Nosopsyllus fasciatus (Bosc, 1800) (18.9, 6.7, 0.1%, respectively). The highest observed S. (48.6%) X. cunicularis, O. quirosi, N. (34.3, 20.0, 0.6%, mainly autumn to spring peak infestation winter, while found maximum levels during summer months. relevance these findings is discussed.