Ectoparasitic fauna of birds, and volant and non-volant small mammals captured at Srinakarin Dam, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

The investigation of ectoparasitic fauna on birds, and volant and nonvolant small mammals at Srinakarin Dam, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand was carried out under a national biodiversity and disease surveillance program for four consecutive months: January, February, May and June 2009. A total of 122 animals, comprised of 15 species of birds, 9 species of volant small mammals and 8 species of non-volant small mammals were examined for ectoparasite infestation. Of these animals, 1 genus of hard ticks (Ixodidae), 2 species of mesostigmatid mites (Laelapidae), 4 genera in three families of astigmatid mites (Proctophyllodidae, Pteronyssidae and Trouessartiidae), 4 species in three families of lice (Philopteridae, Polyplacidae and Trichodectidae) and 2 families of batflies (Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) were collected. This is the first survey conducted to determine ectoparasites infesting birds and small mammals living in the reserved forest of Srinakarin Dam, Thailand. A lower infestation rate of ectoparasites was observed in mammals, ranging from 3.5% to 10.3% than birds, with infestation rates between 7.3% and 34.2%. No major potential health risks to people who lived in this area were found.