Seasonal abundance of the tortoise tick Amblyomma marmoreum (Acari: Ixodidae) on the leopard tortoise, Geochelone paradalis.
A survey of Amblyomma marmoreum Koch ticks recorded from the leopard tortoise, Geochelone paradalis Bell, in the National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria, South Africa, was carried out over a 19-mo period. No significant differences were found between the tick burdens on male and female tortoises. A. marmoreum showed a clear seasonal pattern of abundance. Larvae were present on the tortoise host during late summer, with a peak in February and March; nymphs were abundant during winter, with a peak in June and July. Male ticks were found throughout the year, but females were present only during spring and early to midsummer with a peak in October. It was demonstrated that each developmental stage of A. marmoreum showed only one peak of activity per year.
Rechav
Y
Y
Department of Biology, University of Bophuthatswana, South Africa.
Fielden
L J
LJ
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D009758:Nymph; D012621:Seasons; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks; D014426:Turtles / Q000469:parasitology*