Distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in Florida, USA. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A tick survey was conducted to document tick-host associations with Florida (USA) wildlife, and to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ixodid ticks throughout the state. The survey was conducted using collection kits distributed to licensed Florida hunters as well as the examination of archived specimens from ongoing state wildlife research programs. Collected tick samples were obtained from 66% of Florida counties and were collected from nine wildlife hosts, including black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, gray fox, Florida panther, raccoon, swine, and wild turkey. In total, 4176 ticks were identified, of which 75% were Amblyomma americanum, 14% Ixodes scapularis, 8% A. maculatum, 3% Dermacentor variabilis, and<1% were I. affinis and I. texanus. americanum, D. variabilis, and I. scapularis had the broadest host range, while A. maculatum, D. variabilis, and I. scapularis had the widest geographic distribution. While the survey data contribute to an understanding of tick-host associations in Florida, they also provide insight into the seasonal and geographic distribution of several important vector species in the southeastern USA.

published proceedings

  • Exp Appl Acarol

author list (cited authors)

  • Hertz, J. C., Ferree Clemons, B. C., Lord, C. C., Allan, S. A., & Kaufman, P. E.

citation count

  • 11

complete list of authors

  • Hertz, Jeffrey C||Ferree Clemons, Bambi C||Lord, Cynthia C||Allan, Sandra A||Kaufman, Phillip E

publication date

  • January 2017