Seasonal Changes and Overwintering of Parasites in the Bat, Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte), in a Wisconsin Hibernaculum

During 1979-1980, eight digenetic trematode species, one cestode species and three nematode species were recovered from the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) at a southeastern Wisconsin hibernaculum. Statistically significant seasonal variation was observed for two digenetic trematodes. Mean densities and prevalence (%So of hosts infected) of parasites were highest in autumn and spring and lowest in summer. Highest species number occurred in autumn. Greater density and prevalence in autumn and spring may be correlated with bat swarming and emergence patterns, behavioral phenomena which would also produce a more heterogeneous assemblage of parasites during these times of the year. Myotis lucifugus retained high densities and prevalence of parasites throughout 8 months of hibernation.