Immature Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Lizards from the Southeastern U.S.A.

Abstract

Preserved museum specimens of 13 lizard and 3 snake species common in the southeastern U.S.A. were examined for immature Ixodes scapularis Say ticks. Five Eumeces and 4 Ophisaurus lizard species yielded an infestation prevalence of 17.8% for species of Eumeces and 29.0% for species of Ophisaurus. Mean intensity of larvae and nymphs was 7.1 and 2.7, respectively, for species of Eumeces, and 6.3 and 1.4, respectively, for species of Ophisaurus. Collection dates of the lizards ranged from January through December, but most were collected from March through October. The maximum number of immatures found on a single specimen was 193 larvae and 11 nymphs on a specimen of Eumeces and 75 larvae and 7 nymphs on a specimen of Ophisaurus. For species of Eumeces, 75.2% of all nymphs observed were attached in the shoulder area. Larvae were most abundant on the rear legs (53.3%), followed by the front legs (26.3%) and shoulders (12.9%). Larvae and nymphs on species of Ophisaurus were found almost exclusively in the lateral groove area (84.0% and 94.4%, respectively). Three other lizard species (Anolis carolinensis, Sceloporus undulatus, Scincella lateralis) had only a few ticks or none. A fourth species, Cnemidophorus sexlineatus, hosted a total of 3 larvae on 3 specimens (infestation prevalence, 10.7%). Three snake species (Diadophis punctatus, Virginia striatula, Crotalus adamanteus) had none.