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Australian Journal of Zoology Australian Journal of Zoology Society
Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(2)

Understorey predicts the spatial distribution of Ixodes hirsti in South Australia

Margot Oorebeek A and Sonia Kleindorfer A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: sonia.kleindorfer@flinders.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 56(2) 123-127 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO08050
Submitted: 14 May 2008  Accepted: 12 August 2008   Published: 13 October 2008

Abstract

Ticks reduce the fitness of their host by increasing mortality rate and reducing reproductive success. Understanding the distribution of ticks is therefore crucial in assessing the vulnerability of host populations. The distribution of ticks is dependent on the dispersal capabilities of their hosts as well as the suitability of the new habitat. In this study, we examine the spatial distribution of Ixodes hirsti in South Australia and investigate the influence of vegetation characteristics on the presence of ticks. Additionally, we conducted a preliminary investigation into the effects of vegetation characteristics on the microclimate experienced by questing ticks. Ticks were present in six of the nine study sites. We found that the number of shrubs and the percentage of ground covered by shrubs were significant predictors of the presence of ticks: ticks were present only at sites with a dense cover of shrubs. Additionally, our preliminary data showed that dense understorey was associated with a low saturation deficit and, as such, provided a suitable microclimate for tick survival.


Acknowledgements

We extend sincere thanks to the organisations that have funded this research, including: Australian Research Council, South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, Sir Mark Mitchell Foundation, Nature Foundation SA Inc., Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund, and Conservation Council of South Australia. We thank David Paton, Mike McKelvey, Peggy Rismiller, and students of the Flinders University BirdLab for field assistance. A special thanks to the Friends of Scott Creek and Matthew Ward for the use of their data on tick prevalence in Scott Creek Conservation Park and Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park. We thank Bob Sharrad for helpful comments on the manuscript. All procedures followed the Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Research (Flinders University) and were approved by the Animal Welfare Committee of Flinders University (permit E190).


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