Earliest record of the spinose ear tick, Otobius megnini (Dugès) (Ixodida: Argasidae), from the Paisley Caves site (Oregon, USA), with implications for prehistoric human ectoparasitism

Abstract

The discovery of five individual specimens of the spinose ear tick, Otobius megnini (Dugès), in late Pleistocene through middle Holocene deposits of the Paisley Caves site highlights an interesting aspect of prehistoric life not ordinarily visible through the analysis of traditional archaeological artifacts. A review of the literature provides ample evidence to postulate how the tick remains got into the cave deposits, and also implies the possibility of host-switching behavior in this tick and explores the manner by which ancient people dealt with ectoparasites. Furthermore, these remains mark the first record of the species in both archaeological and paleontological contexts.