Community composition of Ixodid ticks parasitizing American black bears in Missouri, USA

摘要: Abstract Bears (Ursidae) have extensive home ranges and may move long distances, thereby potentially serving as hosts to, vectors of, large numbers of ticks. We assessed the composition parasitizing tick community on American black bears (Ursus americanus) to discern hard species capable successfully feeding, which is a necessary step for reproduction. counted ticks from free-ranging, live-trapped, or road-killed in southern Missouri, USA, during 2015, collected subset engorged (n = 967). All 17) were infected with 6,993), mean intensity 411 ticks/bear, 14% females. The infracommunity size was 57 ticks/bear. From these ticks, we identified 5 species: Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, D. albipictus, Ixodes scapularis. americanum most common species, all surveyed bears, represented 58.2% whe...