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

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Abstract
During 1979-1980, 8 digenetic trematode species, 1 cestode species and 3 nematode species were recovered from the little brown bat (M. lucifugus) at a southwestern Wisconsin hibernaculum. Statistically significant seasonal variation was observed for 2 digenetic trematodes. Mean densities and prevalence (% 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. M. lucifugus retained high densities and prevalence of parasites throughout 8 mo. of hibernation. New locality records are given for Allassogonoporus marginalis, Prosthodendrium swansoni, P. volaticum, Plagiorchis vespertilionis, Rictularia lucifugus and Capillaria palmata.