Conspecificity of the ticks Ixodes scapularis and I. dammini (Acari: Ixodidae).

摘要: Reciprocal crosses between Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin from Massachusetts and scapularis Say Georgia produced offspring through the F3 generation when experiment was discontinued. I. × pacificus Cooley Kohls (California) F1 progeny; however, all progeny were sterile. Assortative mating experiments indicated that males females of both species mated with opposite sex heterospecific or conspecific ticks there a choice. Conventional discriminant analysis morphometric measurements Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, two populations hybrids recognizable differences. However, size-free (sheared) these differences largely size-dependent, much overlap four eastern hybrid but no California. Analysis chromosomes (morphology C band) showed difference them California population pacificus. isozymes genetic identity value for within normal range populations, whereas congeneric not relatedness to populations. Life cycle data collected under similar laboratory conditions in length feeding molting periods among These results work other authors on tick host preferences vector competence indicate is valid separate scapularis. Because name Say, 1821, has priority over Corwin, 1979, relegated junior subjective synonym (based Article 23 International Code Zoological Nomenclature).