A study of the associations between three species of rodents in the
Atlantic forest and their parasitic arthropods was undertaken at the
Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, located in the State of
São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, from March 1989 to February 1990.
Individuals of three species, Oryzomys russatus , Proechimys
iheringi and Nectomys squamipes were captured and
examined for ectoparasites. Eleven species of parasitic arthropods were
found, including four species of insects and seven of Acari. Parasitism
intensity, phenology, and rainfall were positively correlated with the
abundance of the ectoparasites and their hosts. The most abundant host
was O. russatus (Muridae: Sigmodontinae), and the most common parasite
on it was the laelapid mite Gigantolaelaps oudemansi. The
cuterebrid Metacuterebra apicalis caused myiasis in O.
russatus. A mutualistic association between the staphylinid beetle
Amblyopinus sp. and its host P. iheringi (Echimyidae) was
observed. The few N. squamipes captured had small numbers of
ectoparasites
