Résumé
Objective. We used data on fleas and gamasid mites parasitic on 8 species of small mammals to test whether (a) species composition of ectoparasite infracommunities may be used to predict host habitat occupancy and (b) the accuracy of this prediction differs between ectoparasite taxa, host genders and seasons. Methods. We used a Random Forests algorithm that is based on the methodology of classification trees. Results. The accuracy of prediction of habitat occupancy was relatively low and varied substantially among host species. The combined rate of the correct prediction of host habitat occupancy from data on ectoparasites was significantly higher than 50%, albeit being relatively low. The accuracy of prediction (a) did not differ between male and female hosts when it was based on species composition of fleas in summer or of mites in summer and winter, (b) was significantly higher in male hosts than in female hosts when the winter data on fleas were used and (c) was significantly higher for flea than mite assemblages. The effect of season was found in mites but not in fleas with the accuracy of prediction being significantly higher in summer than in winter assemblages. Conclusions. Ectoparasites appeared to be not especially useful as biological markers for distinguishing host populations in different habitats in temperate zones.