The effect of the pattern of attachment weights of female Ixodes rubicundus on Karoo paralysis in a naturally infested flock of sheep.
The weights of feeding female Ixodes rubicundus attaching to sheep was studied in a natural focus of Karoo paralysis. The studies showed fewer females in the middle weight ranges and more in the heavier and lighter categories than would be expected if the distribution was normal. Weights were also strongly skewed towards the lighter females between 0 and 400 mg. No differences in the pattern of attachment weights occurred over the four experimental groups used, suggesting that previous contact of sheep with I. rubicundus had no effect on the ability of the tick to engorge.
Petney
T N
TN
Tick Research Unit, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Fourie
L J
LJ
de Jager
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000502:physiology*