Distribution and abundance of rodents, shrews, and their ectoparasites of zoonotic importance in different ecosystems of the Karaikal region of Puducherry (Union Territory), India

Rodents are the most diversified mammals in the world and also serve as reservoirs of many pathogens of public health importance. The objective of this study is to examine the distribution and abundance of rodents and shrews and their ectoparasites in different ecological settings viz. rural, urban, coastal, and agricultural areas in the Karaikal region of Puducherry Union Territory, India. Standard methodology was used to capture the rodents and shrews and to collect the ectoparasites. The study revealed that the highest number of rodents and shrews were encountered in the urban ecosystem (36.7%). Among the rodents and shrews, Suncus murinus (Asian house shrew) captured from different ecosystems was the highest in number (42.2%) than rodents. Among the different ectoparasites collected, the percentage of trombiculid mites was high (83.2%). Plague vectors Xenopsylla cheopis and X. astia (12.6%), ticks, and lice (below 5%) were also recorded. The highest prevalence of trombiculid mites and plague fleas in the Karaikal region of Puducherry Union Territory warrants continuous surveillance to prevent ectoparasite-borne diseases.