PARASITIC HELMINTHS AND ARTHROPODS FROM BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BATS (TADARIDA-BRASILIENSIS-CYNOCEPHALA) IN FLORIDA

Forty-five Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis cynocepha la) from 5 locations in Florida were examined for parasites. Eleven sp ecies of helminths were identified and included 7 trematodes, 3 nemato des, and 1 cestode, all of which are new records for bats from Florida . The identification of the cestode Vampirolepis decipiens is the firs t record in the United States, and the identification of the trematode Ochoterenatrema breckenridgei is a new record for Tadarida brasiliens is in the United States. The nematode Molinostrongylus delicatus was t he most prevalent helminth collected (64%). Eight species of mites wer e identified, with Chiroptonyssus robustipes being the most prevalent (100%). The mites Ewingana (Ewingana) longa, Dentocarpus macrotrichus, and Notoedres (Bakeracarus) sp. are reported for the first time infes ting bats from Florida.