Abstract
In this study we examine the feeding patterns of immature stages of Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes ticks on different hosts. Larvae of H. truncatum developed through a three-host pattern on two species of field mice, Rhabdomys pumilio and Lemniscomys rosalia. On guinea-pigs, both Hyalomma species followed a mixed two-host and three-host pattern, with the latter route being preferred, since more than 70% of the fully fed larvae dropped off from their hosts. H. truncatum was a two-host tick on rabbits. Larvae of H. marginatum rufipes did not prefer R. pumilio and L. rosalia as hosts. On guinea-pigs, H. marginatum rufipes immatures showed a mixed two-host and three-host pattern with a bias towards the three-host life cycle, since approximately 58% of the fully fed larvae dropped off. On rabbits, H. marginatum rufipes was exclusively a two-host tick. Mean engorgement weights and blood quantities ingested by H. truncatum nymphs that developed through a three-host pattern on mice were significantly higher (p<0.0001) than for those that developed through a two-host pattern on guinea-pigs and rabbits. For H.marginatum rufipes, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between engorgement weights of nymphs that developed through two-host and three-host patterns. However, there were significant differences (p<0.0001) in blood quantities ingested by nymphs of this tick species following feeding on different hosts.
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Magano, S., Els, D. & Chown, S. Feeding patterns of immature stages of Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes on different hosts. Exp Appl Acarol 24, 301–313 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006457325097
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006457325097