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Temperature as a critical factor in the mating behaviour of the rat flea, Nosopsyllus fasciatus (Bosc.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

Q. J. Iqbal  and
David A. Humphries
Q. J. Iqbal
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aston in Birmingham
David A. Humphries
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Aston in Birmingham
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Extract

1. Both male and female N. fasciatus normally require a blood meal before they will mate.

2. Fed males do not attempt to mate with unfed females. It is suggested that the taking of a blood meal enables the female to provide a stimulus necessary for the male to show mating behaviour.

3. Unfed Nosopsyllus of both sexes will mate if subjected to a temperature between 30 and 35°C inclusive. Above 35° mating does not occur.

4. Below 30°C mating occurs only if the fleas have previously been subjected to a temperature of 30°C or above. A temperature rise to the critical point thus acts as a trigger for an enabling process which continues after temperature has again fallen.

5. It is suggested that the effect of a blood meal in enabling mating to occur may be explained by the fleas' experience, while on the host, of a rise in temperature to the level critical for mating.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , December 1970 , pp. 375 - 380
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

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