The Circadian Rhythm of Dropping of Engorged Larvae and Nymphs of the American Dog Tick Dermacentor Variabilis Say (Acarina: Ixodidae)
- 1 April 1970
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Medical Entomology
- Vol. 7 (2) , 251-255
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/7.2.251
Abstract
Feeding experiments were done with larvae and nymphs of D. variabilis to determine their drop-off rhythm and to establish its endogenicity. The results show that the rhythm is endogenous: retained in constant darkness and lost in constant light. In a “natural” 12 : 12 LD cycle, maximum drop off occurs at the onset of greatest host activity shortly following a peak of seral corticosterone levels which is a function of the endogenous adrenal cycle. The 3 experimental feeding environments are described and the host metabolic and activity cycles and their significance are discussed.Keywords
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