Movement and Host Finding by Unfed Nymphs of Two Australian Reptile Ticks.

Abstract

Unfed nymphs ofthe Australian reptile tick species Aponomma hydrosauri and Amblyomma limbatum stayed in aggregated groups in one spot, despite the presence of host lizards as close as 50 cm. The two tick species apparently wait for hosts to come by, in contrast to other species which actively respond to nearby hosts. It may be that, because the bodies ofthe reptile hosts are so close to the ground, the ticks do not have to give up the benefits of remaining in sheltered microhabitats for efficient host finding.