Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The role of host behaviour in tick-host interactions: a domestic host-paralysis tick model

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantify the infestation densities of Karoo and brown paralysis ticks on sheep and goats and explain it in terms of the etho-ecology of these ticks and their domestic hosts. The Karoo paralysis tick usually quests from a vantage point on the vegetation whereas the brown paralysis tick displays an appetence response from the ground and mainly engages hosts that are prostrate. Both tick species are confined chiefly to hilly areas. Temporal differences in the infestation densities of the hosts within and between tick species were evident. These differences were related to disparities in the spatial distribution of the hosts, their activity patterns and the specific appetence responses of the two tick species. Differential climatological conditions affected the quality of forage in areas with a varied topography and the feeding preferences of hosts influenced tick-host sympatry and hence infestation densities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acocks, J.P.H., 1975. Veld types of South Africa with accompanying veld type map. Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Afr., 40: 1–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Altmann, J., 1974. Observational study of behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour, 49: 227–267.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnard, D.R., 1989. Habitat use by cattle affects host contact with Lone Star Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). J. Econ. Entomol., 82: 854–859.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, G.F., 1969.Boophilus microplus (Acarina: Ixodidae): Experimental infestations on cattle restrained from grooming. Exp. Parasitol., 26: 323–328.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cooksey, L.M., Davey, R.B., Ahrens, E.H. and George, J.E., 1989. Suitability of white-tailed deer as hosts for cattle fever ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). J. Med. Entomol., 26: 155–158.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Jager, C., 1988. Water- and energieverhoudings by die Karooverlammingsbosluis,Ixodes rubicundus Neumann, 1904 (Acari: Ixodidae). M.Sc. thesis, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, 172 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Waal, H.O., 1986. Die voedingswaarde van veldweiding van die Sentrale Oranje Vrystaat vir lakterende skape met spesiale verwysing na die rol van aanvullende energie en ruproteïen. Ph.D. thesis, University of Stellenbosch, 284 pp.

  • Fourie, L.J. and Horak, I.G., 1987. Tick-induced paralysis of Springbok. S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 17: 131–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J. and Horak, I.G., 1991. The seasonal activity of adult ixodid ticks on Angora goats in the South-Western Orange Free State. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc., 62: 104–106.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J. and Van Zyl, J.M., 1991. Interspecific variations in attachment sites and density assessment in femaleIxodes rubicundus (Acari: Ixodidae) on domestic and natural hosts. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 13: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J. and Vrahimis, S., 1989. Tick-induced paralysis and mortality of Gemsbok. S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 19: 118–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J., Horak, I.G. and Marais, L.C., 1988a. An undescribedRhipicephalus species associated with field paralysis of Angora goats. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc., 59: 47–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J., Horak, I.G. and Marais, L.C., 1988b. The seasonal abundance of adult ixodid ticks on Merino sheep in the South-Western Orange Free State. J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc., 59: 191–194.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J., Petney, T.N., Horak, I.G. and De Jager, C., 1989, Seasonal incidence of Karoo paralysis in relation to the infestation density of femaleIxodes rubicundus. Vet. Parasitol., 33: 319–328.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J., Kok, O.B. and Van Zyl, M., 1991a. The spatial distribution of the Karoo paralysis tickIxodes rubicundus (Acarina: Ixodidae) within a false upper Karoo veld type. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 11: 37–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fourie, L.J., Horak, I.G. and Van Zyl, J.M., 1991b. Sites of attachment and intraspecific infestation densities of the brown paralysis tick (Rhipicephalus punctatus) on Angora goats. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 12: 243–249.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoogstraal, H., 1978. Biology of ticks. In: J.K.H. Wilde (Editor), Tick Borne Diseases and their Vectors. Proc. Inter. Conf. Edinburgh, September–October 1976, pp. 3–14.

  • Margolis, L., Esch, G.W., Holmes, J.C., Kuris, A.M. and Schad, G.A., 1982. The use of ecological terms in parasitology (Report of an ad hoc committee of the American Society of Parasitologists). J. Parasitol., 68: 131–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthewson, M.D., 1984. The future of tick control. A review of the chemical and non-chemical options. In: H.P. Riemann and M.J. Burridge (Editors), Impact of Disease on Livestock Production in the Tropics. Dev. Anim. Vet. Sci., 15: 559–568.

  • Riek, R.F., 1962. Studies on the reactions of animals to infestation with ticks. Aust. J. Agric. Res., 13: 532–550.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roux, P., 1973. The Angora goat in successful veld management. Angora Goat Mohair J., 15: 5–13, 49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smithers, R.H.N., 1983. Die soogdiere van die Suider-Afrikaans substreek. University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, 734 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonenshine, D.E., 1975. Influence of host-parasite interactions on the population dynamics of ticks. Misc. Publ. Entomol. Soc. Am., 9: 243–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spickett, A.M. and Heyne, H., 1988. A survey of Karoo tick paralysis in South Africa. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 55: 89–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stampa, S., 1959. Tick paralysis in the Karoo areas of South Africa. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res., 28: 169–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherst, R.W. and Utech, K.B.W., 1981. Controlling livestock parasites with host resistance. In: D. Pimental (Editor), CRC Handbook of Pest Management in Agriculture, Vol. II. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 385–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherst, R.W., Dallwitz, M.J., Utech, K.B.W. and Kerr, J.D., 1977. Aspects of host finding by the cattle tick,Boophilus microplus. Aust. J. Zool., 25: 159–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waladde, S.M. and Rice, M.J., 1982. The sensory basis of tick feeding behaviour. In: F.D. Obenchain and R.L. Galun (Editors), Physiology of Ticks. Pergamon Press, New York, NY, pp. 71–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walther, F., 1964. Verhaltenstudien an der Grant Gazelle (Gazella granti Brooke, 1872) im Ngorongoro-Krater. Z. Tierpsychol. 22: 167–208.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Orange Free State, P.O. Box 339, 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    L. J. Fourie & O. B. Kok

Authors
  1. L. J. Fourie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. O. B. Kok
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fourie, L.J., Kok, O.B. The role of host behaviour in tick-host interactions: a domestic host-paralysis tick model. Exp Appl Acarol 13, 213–225 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194937

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01194937

Keywords

Search

Navigation