Wild Mammals and Fleas of Red Bluff Ranch, New Mexico

In connection with studies on the control of ecto-parasite vectors, a total of 2047 mammals of 12 species was live trapped and brushed for fleas during the period of 1 January 1967 through 31 December 1967. Over 16,000 fleas of 16 species were collected. Percentagewise, Meringis rectus was the most abundant flea on banner-tailed kangaroo rats ( Dipodomys spectabilis ), Ord's kangaroo rats ( D. ordii ), and grasshopper mice ( Onychomys leucogaster ). M. nidi was abundant on Merriam's kangaroo rats ( D. merriami ) and grasshopper mice ( O. leucogaster ). Orchopeas sexdentatus and Anomiopsyllus novomexicanensis were abundant on white-throated ( Neotoma albigula ) and southern plains ( N. micropus ) wood rats; Hoplopsyllus glacialis affinis on desert cottontails ( Sylvilagus audubonii ) Polygenus gwyni on cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidis ); Thrassis fotus on spotted ground squirrels ( Citellus spilosoma ) and on hispid pocket mice ( Perognathus hispidis ); Meringis dipodomys on silky pocket mice ( P. flavus ) and Megarthroglossus bisetis on white-footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus ).