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A survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from an over-abundant koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in south eastern Australia, with an overview of the ticks and mites of koalas

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Abstract

Within Australia, koala over-abundance has become a serious problem in some areas resulting in significant damage to native forests through defoliation. An over-abundant Victorian koala population was surveyed for ticks in the autumn of 2016. During the survey 1036 ticks were collected from 158 koalas. All ticks collected were identified as Ixodes tasmani. Tick prevalence, infestation intensity and on-host sex ratios were calculated for the population. An overview of the ticks and mites associated with koalas in Australia is also presented.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Victorian state government’s department of environment, land, water and planning for giving permission for this project to occur. We are also thankful to Dr. John Wainer for critical comments on this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Invertebrate Biosystematics Laboratory, Agribio: the centre for agribioscience, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia

    M. L. Kwak

  2. Freelance Veterinarian, Templestowe, VIC, Australia

    J. Reed

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  1. M. L. Kwak
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  2. J. Reed
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Correspondence to M. L. Kwak.

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Kwak, M.L., Reed, J. A survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from an over-abundant koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in south eastern Australia, with an overview of the ticks and mites of koalas. Exp Appl Acarol 73, 109–114 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-017-0169-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-017-0169-z

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