Ticks Infesting Medium-Sized Wild Mammals in Two Forest Localities in Virginia (Acarina: Ixodidae)1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Substantial differences were found in host-parasite relationships among ticks parasitizing medium-sized wild mammals in 2 forest localities in Virginia. Studies done in Piedmont habitat consisting of isolated, mixed deciduous forest tracts in various stages of succession adjacent to abandoned pasture, cropland, and cultivated fields revealed the presence of 4 species of ticks parasitizing 7 species of medium-sized mammals. The raccoon was the dominant host for the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and the sole host for Ixodes texanus Banks. The eastern striped skunk was the dominant host for Ixodes cookei Packard. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), was the least abundant of all 4 species of ticks infesting these mammals in this area. Studies done in the coastal plain in a part of a large expanse (approximately 3500 hectares) of relatively unused, mixed deciduous forest adjacent to swamp and freshwater habitat revealed the presence of the same 4 species of ticks also found in the Piedmont locality. However, A. americanum was the most abundant of the 4 tick species, especially on hosts trapped near aquatic habitat. I. texanus ranked second in frequency of occurrence, whereas D. variabilis and I. cookei were rarely found on the mammals examined in this area.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: