Prevalence of Basidiobolus ranarum Eidam in the intestinal tract of an insectivorous bat, Rhinopoma hardwickei hardwickei Gray, in Delhi

Abstract

The prevalance of Basidiobolus ranarum Eidam is reported from the intestinal contents of 14 (7%) of 200 bats belonging to Rhinopoma hardwickei hardwickei Gray ('the lesser rat-tailed bat'), an insectivorous species captured from Delhi area. Eleven of the positive bats were captured during August/September whereas the remaining three came from collections made during November or April. No macroscopic or microscopic lesions were found in the intestine of the bats yielding B. ranarum. This is believed to be the first report on the association of B. ranarum with bats. A more extensive sampling of bat species including their guano is indicated to elucidate the role of Chiroptera in the biological cycle of B. ranarum.