A study of ectoparasites and blood parasites in small mammals was undertaken in three habitat
types at Sakaerat Research Station, Thailand; dry dipterocarp forest, ecotone forest, and dry
evergreen forest in four different seasons; early rainy season (May-July), late rainy season
(August-October), winter (November-December), and summer (February-April) during 2007-
2008. A total of 371 small mammals (9 species) were captured in traps. Four most common
species included Maxomys surifer, Rattus rattus, Leopoldamys sabanus and Tupaia glis.
Ectoparasites recorded include a mite (Lealaps echidinus), tick (Ixodes sp.), flea (Xenopsylla
cheopsis) and pseudoscorpion (Chelifer cancroides). Blood parasites such as Microfilaria spp.,
Trypanosoma spp., Anaplasma spp. and Grahamella spp. were identified. Lealaps echidinus (mite)
and Anaplasma spp. were the most frequently observed in the four most common species captured.
In this study the prevalence of ectoparasites and blood parasites was highest in M. surifer among
small mammal communities.