Abstract
Dispersal of radioisotope-tagged immature ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), by small-mammal hosts was observed, extending to 990 feet from an area where they were released. Most dispersal occurred during the spring activity period, when survivors of the marked population released the previous summer were seeking hosts. Wide-ranging white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque), appeared to have been especially important in dispersing these ticks. White-footed mice infested with tagged ticks in the control area (where no tagged ticks had been released) had significantly greater spacing and range than other mice in the same area not infested with these ticks. This information may be important in evaluating the potential spread of tick-borne diseases, e.g. Rocky Mountain fever.
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