Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the South of Russia

Abstract

Fleas, as temporary ectoparasites of mammals and birds, are important objects of epidemiology and zoo- geography. Since fleas occur on the host body only during a certain period of their life cycle, they are influenced by the ambient temperature and humidity conditions; correspondingly, the distribution of many flea species does not coincide with that of their hosts and requires special research. This review is focused on the fauna of fleas associated with mammals and birds in the Volga–Don interfluve region, Ciscaucasia, and on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Most flea species present in these regions infest a wide range of hosts belonging to different genera, subfamilies or families. Several flea species occur in the plains and are not found in the Greater Caucasus; others, on the contrary, live only in the mountains; 57 species are distributed in their respective biotopes throughout the territory of Southern Russia.