Ceratophyllus vison Baker

Reeves, Will K., Durden, Lance A., Ritzi, Christopher M., Beckham, Katy R., Super, Paul E & Oconnor, Barry M., 2007, Ectoparasites and other ectosymbiotic arthropods of vertebrates in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, Zootaxa 1392, pp. 31-68 : 38-39

Ceratophyllus vison Baker

Ex Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (red squirrel): 1F, TN, Sevier Co., Clingman’s Dome, 4 Nov. 2000, E. B. Pivorun, L­2956; 1M, 3F, TN, Sevier Co., Mount Le Conte, 14 Jun. 2002, K. Walters, L­3048; 1F, TN, Sevier Co., Indian Gap, 1 Oct. 2001, K. Walters.

Ex squirrel nest: 2M, 1F, TN, Sevier Co., Greenbrier, 5 May 1946, D. W. Pfitzer (Pfitzer 1950, Benton 1980, Durden & Kollars 1997).

Ex Tamias striatus (eastern chipmunk): 1F, NC, Swain Co., Oconaluftee, 5 Jun. 2002, W. K. Reeves, L­ 2932.

This flea is a relatively host­specific ectoparasite of the red squirrel and it mainly occurs in boreal North America (Durden & Kollars 1997). Nevertheless, it occurs in the Park at higher elevations where the climate and vegetation resemble those of more northern regions. The above record from an eastern chipmunk is atypical.