INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECTOPARASITES AND WILD RODENTS FROM TIJUCASDO SUL, STATE OF PARANA, BRAZIL

Sixteen species of ectoparasites were collected from 50 wild rodents, from August 1990 to August 1991, in an area of Araucaria augustifolia forest, in the municipality of Tijucas do Sul, State of Parana, Brazil . Ectoparasites infested 98% of the rodents, with the highest indices of infestation found in the dry-cool season. Species that occurred in single or multiple infestations were recorded. Ectoparasite/host assoc iations were significant (p<0.01) for Gigantolaelaps wolffsohni/Oryzom ys nigripes, Polygenis pradoi/Oxymycterus sp. and Amblyopinus sp./Oxym ycterus sp. The following represent new host records: Polygenis (Polyg enis) tripus from Akodon serrensis and Hoplopleura sciuricola from Sci urus aestuans. New geographic records are given for two species of fle a and one sucking lice.