Life-history of the zeabird tick, Ixodes (Ceratixodes) uriae, at St-Abbs-Head, Scotland
1990 - Volume: 31 Issue: 2 pages: 125-130
Keywords
Ixodes uriae
habitats
life cycle
seabirds
Scotland
Abstract
Ixodes (Ceratixodes) uriae is a common ectoparasite of seabirds with a far ranging bipolar distribution. Nevertheless, the biology of this tick remains largely unknown. At St. Abb s Head, on the south-east coast of Scotland, the weather is mild and favourable to I. uriae development though hosts are only available for e months each year. Under these circumstances, the life cycle of I. uriae can be completed in 3 years with a minority of ticks taking e years. Ticks were found in the cracks on the cliff face, and in the soil and debris on the cliff, but not in the nests of seabirds. Artificial tick habitats (ceramic tiles) were assessed as a way of censuring tick populations without destroying the natural cracks and crevices. They were utilised by ticks but in low numbers.
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