title: Host detection by four Australian tick species.
abstract: The behavior of 4 tick species in the presence of their dominant host species was examined. Nymphs and adult ticks could locate a host from greater distances than the larvae. Adult Aponomma concolor were able to locate their mammalian host (echidna) from distances greater than 3 reptile-infesting species could locate their hosts. The results suggested that all 4 tick species detect hosts passively, which may be related to the relative scarcity of hosts and their irregular use of refuge sites.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belan
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bull
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008297:Male; D009758:Nymph / Q000502:physiology; D012104:Reptiles / Q000469:parasitology*; D004442:Tachyglossidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D013987:Ticks / Q000502:physiology*