Seasonal and spatial dynamics of ectoparasite infestation of a threatened reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Stephanie S GodfreyN J Nelson

Abstract

The conservation of threatened vertebrate species and their threatened parasites requires an understanding of the factors influencing their distribution and dynamics. This is particularly important for species maintained in conservation reserves at high densities, where increased contact among hosts could lead to increased rates of parasitism. The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) (Reptilia: Sphenodontia) is a threatened reptile that persists at high densities in forests (approximately 2700 tuatara/ha) and lower densities in pastures and shrubland (< 200 tuatara/ha) on Stephens Island, New Zealand. We investigated the lifecycles and seasonal dynamics of infestation of two ectoparasites (the tuatara tick, Amblyomma sphenodonti, and trombiculid mites, Neotrombicula sp.) in a mark-recapture study in three forest study plots from November 2004 to March 2007, and compared infestation levels among habitat types in March 2006. Tick loads were lowest over summer and peaked from late autumn (May) until early spring (September). Mating and engorgement of female ticks was highest over spring, and larval tick loads subsequently increased in early autumn (March). Nymphal tick loads increased in September, and adult tick loads increased in May. ...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

May 20, 2004·Journal of Translational Medicine·Stacey P MankoffFrancesco M Marincola
Mar 20, 2014·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Ilse CorkeryNicola J Nelson
Jul 20, 2010·International Journal for Parasitology·Stephanie S GodfreyC Michael Bull
Jan 9, 2019·Environmental Monitoring and Assessment·Shakeel MahmoodShahid Hussain Farooqi

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