A systematic study of the Australian species of the genus Ixodes (Acarina: Ixodidae)

Abstract

A systematic study has been made of the species of Ixodes (Ixodidae) occurring in Australia. Nineteen species were recognized in the material available for examination, namely I. uriae, I. kohlsi, I. eudyptidis, I. pterodromae, I. simplex simplex, I. vespertilionis, I. ornithorhynchi, I. tasmani, I. hydromyidis, I. australiensis, I. victoriensis, I. fecialis, I. antechini, I. vestitus, I. holocyclus, I. confusus, I. cornuatus, I. hirsti, and I. trichosuri. Four of these, I. antechini, I. cornuatus, I, confusus, and I. trichosuri, are regarded as new species and I. simplex simplex and I. pterodromae are recorded from Australia for the first time. I. rothschildi recorded by Arthur (1953) from Western Australia was not encountered. A detailed description with appropriate figures is given for each species, including all known stages in the life cycle, together with data on host range and geographical distribution. Keys are supplied for the known males, females, nymphs, and larvae and a classified host list has been compiled.