Echidnophaga myrmecobii explained

Echidnophaga myrmecobii is a stickfast flea that is native to Australia,^[1] and is commonly found on marsupials and rabbits.^[1] It is also found on European hares (Lepus europaeus),^[2] cats, and dogs.^[3]

On rabbits, the flea is most commonly found on the head and body, whereas the related flea, Echidnophaga perilis, is more often found on the feet.^[4] E. myrmecobii is a minor vector of myxomatosis between rabbits in Australia.^[5]

Adult E. myrmecobii can jump 16.5 cm high.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Book: Myres. K. Parer. I. Richardson. BJ. Walton. DW. Richardson. BJ. Fauna of Australia. 1989. AGPS. Canberra. 9780644060561. Chapter 45: Leporidae.
2. Shepherd. RCH.. Nolan. IF. Lane. IL. Edmonds. JW. Ectoparasites of the European hare (Lepus europaeus (Pallas)) in two regions of Victoria. Australian Journal of Entomology. 1977. 16. 1. 1–5. 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1977.tb00050.x. free.
3. Book: Seddon. HR. Diseases of domestic animals in Australia: Arthropod infestations (flies, lice and fleas). 1967. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health. 148. 2nd.
4. Shepherd. RCH. Edmonds. JW. The distribution of the stickfast fleas, Echidnophaga myrmecobii Rothschild and E. Perilis Jordan, on the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus Cuniculus (L.). Australian Journal of Zoology. 1979. 27. 2. 261. 10.1071/ZO9790261.
5. Book: Lehane. M. J.. Biology of Blood-Sucking Insects. 1991. Springer Netherlands. Dordrecht. 978-94-011-7953-9. 204=208. 9.4 Siphonaptera.
6. Book: Krasnov. BR. Functional and evolutionary ecology of fleas: A model for ecological parasitology. 2008. Cambridge University Press. 9781139472661. 104–105. Chapter 8.2.1 Mechanics of a flea jump.