Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 7 Number 2 Article 1 6-1966 Siphonaptera (fleas) of the Nevada Test Site D Elden Beck Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Dorald M. Allred Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Beck, D Elden and Allred, Dorald M. (1966) "Siphonaptera (fleas) of the Nevada Test Site," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 7 : No. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol7/iss2/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. •ivn I s^T; LIBRARY JUL 28 1966 HARVwr>J UNIVERSITY Brigham Young University Science Bulletin SIPHONAPTERA (FLEAS) OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE by D ELDEN BECK and DORALD M. ALLRED BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME VII, NUMBER 2 JUNE 1966 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN BIOLOGICAL SERIES Editor: Dorald M. Allred, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Associate Editor: Eabl M. Christensen, Department of Botany, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Members of the Editorial Board: J. V. Beck, Bacteriology C. Lynn IIayward, Zoology W. Derby Laws, Agronomy Howard C. Stutz, Botany Wilmer W. Tanner, Zoology, Chairman of the Board Stanley Welsh, Botany Ex officio Members RudgerRudgerH.H. Walker, Dean, College of Biological and Agricultural SciencesScienci Ernest L. Olson, Chairman, University Publications The Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, publishes acceptable papers, particularly large manuscripts, on all phases of biology. Separate numbers and back volumes can be purchased from University Publications, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. All remittances should be made payable to Brigham Young University. Orders and materials for library exchange should be directed to the Division of Gifts and Exchange, Brigham Young University Library, Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin SIPHONAPTERA (FLEAS) OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE by D ELDEN BECK and DORALD M. ALLRED BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME VII, NUMBER 2 MAY 1966 TABLE OK CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 1 METHODS AND PROCEDURES 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 3 SCHEME OE CLASSIFICATION 3 FAMILIES AND SPECIES 3 SPECIES PRESENTATION 4 Echidnophaga gallinacea 4 Ptdcx irritans 4 Cediopsylla inaequalis 4 Hoplopsyllus anomalu.i 6 Atyphloceras echti ........ 6 Epitedia tvenmanni ............ 6 Catallagia decipiens ..9 Meringis dipodomys 9 Meringis parkeri .... 11 Meringis hubbardi 11 Jordanopsylla allredi II Stenistomera alpina 13 CaUistopsyllus deuterux .... 13 Megarthroglossus procus .... 13 Anomiopsyllus amphiholus ....................... 13 RlmdiiuipM/lIu heiseri 15 Rhadinopsylla sectilk 15 Carteretta carteri 15 Thrassis hacchi .....18 Thrassis aridus 18 Dactyhpsylla bluei ... IS Foxclla ignot/i 20 Diamanus montanus 20 Orchopeas sexdentatus ... 20 Monopsyllm wagneri ............. .. 22 Monopsyllus eumolpi 22 Malaraeus telchinum .... 22 Malaraeus sinomus 22 Malaraeus euphorbi 24 Amphipsylla neotomae 24 OdontopsyUus dentatus 24 Peromyscopsylla hesperomys ................ 24 Nyctcridopsylla oarwouverensU ... 24 CONCLUSIONS 26 LITERATURE CITED 20 MSI (il III IMIi VI IONS Figure Page 1 Map of the .southeastern corner ol Nevada showing the regional location of thi Nevada rest Sit< 2 2 Extent "i thi majoi plant communities ol the Nevada ["esl Site 2 igraphii distribution nl Echidnophaga gullinacca, Pulex irritant, and Cediopsylla inequalix 5 i Geographii distribution ol Hoplopsyllus tmomalits 7 Geographic distribution ol Uyphlocera echis Epiteiliu wenmanni, and Catallagia tlecipieru H i' Geographic distribution ol \feringw diftodoniys and Weringh ptirkeri 10 7. Si-. ivun.il occurrenci ol WeringAi dipadamys I] s Geographic distribution ol Weringw huhbardi, lordanopsyUa allredi, and Stenixtomera alpina 12 I Geographic distribution ol Cullistopsyllm deuterus, Anomio)>xyllus amphiholws, Wegarthroglossus procus, .iiul Rhadiuopsylla lu iseri 14 10. Geographic distribution nl Rbadinopsylla sectilia and Carteretta carteri 16 11 Geographic distribution ol Thrtuma hucchi IT 12 Seasonal occurrence "I Tbrassis bacchi .... is Geographic distribution ol Thrassu aridi-i, Foxella ignota, Dactylopsylltt bluet, and Dianianin mon- tanus 19 It Seasonal occurrence ol Thrassis aridh 20 IS Geographic distribution ol Orchopeat texdentatti* 21 16. Geographic distribution ol Monopsyllua wagneri, Malaraetm tclchinum, Monopsyllui eumolpi, and Malaraeus rinomus 2 ; !". Geographic distribution ol Malaraeus euphorbi, Odontapvyllm dentat us, Nycteridopsylla oancou- oerensis, Amphipsylla neotomae, and Peromyscopsylla hesperomys . SIPHONAPTERA (FLEAS) OF THE NEVADA TEST SITE 1 by D Elden Beck and Dorald M. Allied INTRODUCTION Ecological studies at the Nevada Test Site 1963; Beck, Allred & Brinton, 1963; Allied, 1963; near Mercury, Nevada, were begun in 1959 as Allred & Beck, 1963. 1964; and others—see list a cooperative project between the United States of references ) Atomic Energy Commission and the Brigham This report deals with data on the fleas Young University Department of Zoology and collected at the Nevada Test Site. Geographi- Entomology. Initial research was directed to cal and ecological distribution, host relation- mammals, birds and reptiles (Jorgensen & Hay- ships, and seasonal occurrence are emphasized. ward, 1965; Hayward, Killpack & Richards, 1963; Tanner & Jorgensen, 1963). As the investiga- The biotic communities and areas of study were tions continued, however, parasites and other designated by Allred, et al. (1963 a & b), and eonsortes were collected. Reports on some of our references generally follow their classifica- these collections have been published ( Goates, tion (Figs. 1 and 2). LITERATURE REVIEW Previous records of fleas from the Nevada eus sinomus from the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus Test Site are unknown, although there are re- maniculatus) at Searchlight. Hystrichopsylla ports for the state of Nevada. Every record gigas dippiei (most likely //. dippiei dippiei) from Nevada is not made here, but some gen- was collected from the Sonoran Deer Mouse eral ones are worthy of mention. (P. maniculatus sonoriensis) at Charleston Park Most reports of fleas for Nevada are the on Charleston Mountain near Las Vegas. Orch- result of the extensive work by C. A. Hubbard opeas sexdentatus nevadensis was taken from the Desert Wood Rat (Neotoma lepida) from (1947). Practically all references made by him Clark County. Hopkins and Rothschild (1962) are tor collections made in the northern half of reported a contribution to the British Museum the state near or above the 39th parallel al- of Anomiopsyllus amphibolus taken from the there are some collections southern though from White-throated Wood Rat (Neotoma albigula— Nevada. For example, Hoplopsyllus anomalus most likely .V. lepida) in Nye County. All lo- was taken from the White-tailed Antelope Squir- calities are in the southeastern corner of Ne- rel (Ammospermophilus leucurus), and Malara- vada, relatively near the test site. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Most of the fleas were taken from the bodies the houses or other recesses of the Desert Wood of host animals which were trapped or shot Rat, and the eonsortes extracted by the use of specifically for the puqjose of collecting ecto- a modified Berlese funnel. Data contained with parasites or selected from and birds mammals each collection included date, host or source, which were collected for other purposes. In and the biotic community where found. These each case the host was placed immediately into were coded for computer analysis. a paper sack which was then sealed, data writ- ten on it, and returned to the laboratory. Fleas were retrieved by brushing the fur of In some instances nests were removed from the host which was held under a 75-watt lamp '1! Y U -A E ( publication No. C00-1355-1+. This work was support ed (in part) by funds from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, department of Zoology and Ento logy, Brigham Young Uni ty, Provo, Utab Bhirham Young University v m s. i Bulletin SOUTHERN NEVADA of Map the southeastern comer of Nevada showing the regional location ol the Nevada Test Site. ) ) ) Fleas of the Nevada Test Site in a deep, white enamelware pan. All con- Specimens were identified from the slide pre- sortes were preserved in 707c ethyl alcohol un- parations, all data then placed on collection rec- til thev were mounted individually on micro- ord forms, and IBM punch cards prepared to slides to which were applied the collection data. enable computer analysis. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many technicians were involved in the field Health Service, San Francisco, California. Dr. collection and laboratory preparation of hosts C. Lvnn Havward, Department of Zoology and and parasites. Without their careful work this Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, study would not have been as readily accom- Utah, helped with the specific identification of plished. We are most grateful for their unself- mammal and bird hosts.