Ectoparasites of commensal rodents in Talkha Center, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

The ecto-parasites infesting commensally rodents were collected from the different localities in Talkha Center (Dakahlia Governorate) from April 2006 to March 2007. The seasonal abundance of rodent number and rat index was 52 (0.58) in spring, 27 (0.3) in summer, 39 (0.22) in autumn and 17 (0.05) in winter. From 135 rodent species and rat index was Rattus norvegicus N=33 (0.24), R. r. frugivorous N=39 (0.29); R. r. alexandrinus N=48 (0.36) and Mus musculus N=15 (0.11). From 388 ecto-parasite infested rodent collected number and ecto index was fleas N= 114 (0.84 flea/rat), Lice N=93 (0.69 lice/rat), Mites N = 165 (1.2 mite/rat) and larva of ticks N=16 (0.12 tick/rat). No doubt, rodents and their ectoparasites played a serious role in spreading and transmission of zoonotic diseases to human and animal.