Nycteribia

''Nycteribia'' is genus of insects within the family Nycteribiidae, comprising approximately 35 species, that exclusively parasitize the blood of bats.

Description

''Nycteribia'' do not have wings, but possess halteres and atrophied flight muscles, suggesting history of flight. Their bodies are divided into a flattened and shielded thorax, with six, tri-segmented, clawed appendages, and an ovular lower abdomen. Their heads are more narrow than other Hippoboscidae, which are attached dorsally to the anterior end of the thorax when at rest and when feeding, the head rotates in a half circle and protrudes forward to attach to the host.

The ''Nycteribia's'' head is highly adapted from other ''Hippoboscidae;'' first, the eyes are primarily absent, or if present, reduced to a maximum of two eye facets. The antennae are reminiscent of other Hippoboscidae, composed of the a fused outer pedicle, with an inner flagellum. The proboscis (nose-like feeding structure) of the ''Nycteribia'' are also analogous to other Hippoboscidae, with the exception of the tormae, which are separately attached on the sides of the fronto-clypeus. To attach to the host, ''Nycteribia'' are covered in ctenidia, or small combs, which allow the insect to stick to the outer layer of fur, preventing them from being removed via grooming. The appendages of ''Nycteribia'' end in tarsal claws, which also allow for grasping and lateral movement on a host.

The species shows high host diet specificity. Specifically, frugivorous bat flies do not parasitize on animalivorous or insectivorous bat species, and a low number of microbat, the typically carnivorous bats, parasite species ('' Nycteribia stylidiopsis'', '' Penicillidia fulvida'', and ('' P. leptothrinax'') are seen to exhibit general host infection, while still exhibiting specificity for host preference.

Generalized life-cycle

The life-cycle of '' Basilia hispida'', which follows typical life cycle of ''Nycteribia'' as compared with five other species, is analogous across the genus. Larval fertilization and development in ''Nycteribia'' occurs internally within the mother. Larvae, also called prepupae, are sustained within the mother through their first two larval molts by blood meals fed through the accessory glands. On the third molt they are deposited, named larviposition, through the female onto the host. The prepupae immediately pupate, which takes approximately 3-4 weeks, before hatching as fully mature adults. The adult life stage typically lasts 30-60 days and adults typically are produced in equal numbers of males and females. ''Nycteribia'' generally experience the highest postembryonic mortality in the adult phase, which is due to predation. Female ''Nycteribia'', on average, are found to live longer than males.

References

Further reading

*
*
*
*
*
*

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14606011

Wikipedia Student Program
Parasites of bats
Nycteribiidae
Diptera genera