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Distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in Florida, USA

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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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Wildlife Turkey Federation, the Lovett E. Williams Jr. Wildlife Research Laboratory, and the countless Florida hunters that supported this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 1881 Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Jeffrey C. Hertz & Phillip E. Kaufman

  2. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA

    Bambi C. Ferree Clemons

  3. Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, 32962, USA

    Cynthia C. Lord

  4. Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA

    Sandra A. Allan

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  1. Jeffrey C. Hertz
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  2. Bambi C. Ferree Clemons
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  3. Cynthia C. Lord
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  4. Sandra A. Allan
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  5. Phillip E. Kaufman
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Correspondence to Phillip E. Kaufman.

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Disclaimer: Hertz, JC is a military service member. This work was prepared as part of my official duties. Title 17, USC, §105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the U.S. Government.’ Title 17, USC, §101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. “The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government.”

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Hertz, J.C., Ferree Clemons, B.C., Lord, C.C. et al. Distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in Florida, USA. Exp Appl Acarol 73, 223–236 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-017-0183-1

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