Can Fleas Change Gender?
WouterWhile many scientists have hypothesized that male and female fleas are essentially the same, it has never been proved that fleas change gender. It is likely that fleas change gender because of differences in immunocompetence, which can affect their ability to perform in a specific environment. For instance, the male M. crassus parasite showed a higher rate of survival, and consumed more blood, than the female counterpart.
While male and female water fleas share similar characteristics, the males are more easily classified into specific species. As a result, this study aims to use the new male-inducing tool to better understand the diversity of water flea species around the world. This research is being carried out at the University at Buffalo, one of the premier research-intensive campuses of the State University of New York.
The species of fleas that live on diurnal hosts have well-developed eyes. However, those parasitizing nocturnal or subterranean hosts have eyes that are not as well developed. This demonstrates that fleas are ecologically plastic. This means that they are able to colonize virtually any habitat.
Adult fleas feed on blood vessels and blood pools produced by their bite. The female needs a blood meal before she can mature her eggs. They use specialized mouthparts – the labral and lacinial stylets – to bite the host. The size of this blood meal varies from species to species, even within the same species. Female fleas can ingest more than 13 ul of blood per feeding.
