Spatial variation in fleas and flea-borne pathogens collected from urban and sylvatic opossums and raccoons in north-central Florida

Mammalian wildlife species are hosts of ectoparasite species that also affect humans and companion animals, and which may be associated with the transmission of vector-borne zoonotic disease agents. Increasing urbanization and the adaptation of wildlife to urban environments may result in changes in the ecology of ectoparasites and vector-borne diseases in urban areas compared to sylvatic areas. Fleas collected from live-trapped opossums and raccoons from a rural, wooded habitat, and from the city of Gainesville, FL over four seasons were screened for Bartonella and Rickettsia infection. Redundancy analyses revealed differences in flea community composition across host species and sylvatic vs. urban habitat, with Ctenocephalides felis being more closely associated with urban opossums and Xenopsylla cheopis being more closely associated with sylvatic opossums. Orchopeas howardi were collected on both opossums and raccoons in urban and sylvatic sites. Of the 1,017 fleas screened for pathogens, 383 were infected with Rickettsia species. There was an ~40% Rickettsia prevalence in fleas collected from urban animals, and an ~9% Rickettsia prevalence in fleas collected from sylvatic animals. Of the samples currently sequenced, 78% were infected with Rickettsia felis. Eight fleas were infected with Bartonella species. The high prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas from urban animals may have implications for human, companion animal, and wildlife health in urban settings. We will continue to explore how season and landscape factors may be associated with pathogen prevalence in urban and sylvatic habitat to contribute to improved vector and pathogen surveillance efforts.