Prolonged or repeated copulation and male longevity in the tick Ixodes rubicundus.
Male Ixodes rubicundus were found in copula with attached females in 59% of individuals. The number of males attaching to the female integument or to the the host negligible. In laboratory experiments, males enclosed with females in a small vial had significantly longer life spans than solitary males. Paired males were found to be in copula on 20-34% of observations. Solitary males lost weight while paired males gained weight over a 2-day period. However, the specific energy content of the 2 groups remained constant.
Fourie
L J
LJ
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
de Jager
T
T
Petney
T N
TN
D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013987:Ticks / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*