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Observations on successive infestations of the rabbit host by the ticksRhipicephalus appendiculatus andR. zambeziensis (Acari: Ixodidae)

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Abstract

Successive infestation of the rabbit host by instars of the brown ear tickRhipicephalus appendiculatus resulted in a progressive decline in engorgement and egg weights of adult instars and a reduction in percentage recovery of nymphs and larvae. Repetitive infestation with adults and larvae resulted in increased skin hypersensitivity reactions at the attachment site.

Successive infestation withR. zambeziensis caused a more significant decline in engorgement and egg weights of adults than forR. appendiculatus. Percentage recoveries of larvae and nymphs were also significantly reduced.

A cross-infestation study indicated thatR. appendiculatus andR. zambeziensis share antigenic moieties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tick Research Unit, Rhodes University, 6140, Grahamstown, South Africa

    Bruce H. Fivaz

  2. P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya

    Andy Norval

Authors
  1. Bruce H. Fivaz
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  2. Andy Norval
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Fivaz, B.H., Norval, A. Observations on successive infestations of the rabbit host by the ticksRhipicephalus appendiculatus andR. zambeziensis (Acari: Ixodidae). Exp Appl Acarol 7, 267–279 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01197921

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01197921

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