An updated checklist of Indian fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera)

Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are India's most important vectors of plague and other flea-borne diseases. In India, the current record is 68 species which represents 2.56% of the total world fauna of the Order Siphonaptera, approximately 2652 flea species, including 35 genera (13.8%), 8 families (44.4%), and 8 subfamilies (29.6%). Due to the abundance of flea vectors in commensal rodents, there is a need for surveillance of flea-borne diseases in India. Here is a systematic list of species belonging to order Siphonaptera recorded in the Indian sub-continent mentioned with its vertebrate host-wise distribution pattern in India, which will help to identify the unexplored areas to research fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) widely distributed in India.

Automated summary

This article highlights the significance of fleas as vectors for plague and other diseases in India. It provides a systematic list of flea species in India and their distribution patterns among vertebrate hosts, which can serve as a valuable resource for further research and surveillance of flea-borne diseases.