Abstract
Eleven Barbary Sheep, Ammotragus lervia , and 12 Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus , harvested during the fall, 1977, from wild populations in Palo Duro Canyon, Texas were examined for ectoparasites. The winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus ; the spinose ear tick, Otobius megnini ; the louse Bovicola neglecta ; and an undescribed species of louse, Bovicola sp., were recovered from Barbary Sheep. Mule Deer harbored D. albipictus and nasal bots of the Cephenemyia prattilapicata group. Both host species harbored few ectoparasite species, the levels of infestations were low, and the proportion of host ungulates harboring anyone of the ectoparasites was small. The ability of Barbary Sheep to undergo pronounced range extensions and long-distance movements mayprovide a means of broad dispersal for these parasites. Additionally, the occurrence of these wild ungulates in the same range as domestic livestockprovides an excellent reservoir potential for certain of these ectoparasites, especially the ticks.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.