<i>Bartonella</i> Abundance Doubled (IMAGE) Smithsonian Caption Smithsonian scientists found that when large wildlife was excluded from a savanna ecosystem in Africa, the rodent and, consequently, flea abundance doubled. When the rodents and fleas in the area doubled, those infected with Bartonella doubled as well. Credit Smithsonian Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.