Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
Title (Primary) Variation in body size in the tick complex Rhipicephalus appendiculatus/Rhipicephalus zambeziensis
Author Speybroeck, N.; Madder, M.; Thulke, H.-H. ORCID logo ; Mtambo, J.; Tirry, L.; Chaka, G.; Marcotty, T.; Berkvens, D.
Source Titel Journal of Vector Ecology
Year 2004
Department OESA
Volume 29
Issue 2
Page From 347
Page To 354
Language englisch
Abstract

We examined the relationship between body size and the phenology of the tick complex Rhipicephalus appendictilatus/Rhipicephalus zambeziensis. These ticks transmit Theileria parva in cattle. In Africa. the body Size of R. appendiculatus increases with latitude while the body size of the morphologically similar Rhipicephalus zambeziensis is constant at two different latitudes. A larger body size is necessary once survival becomes a constraint. The most plausible explanation for the smaller R. appendiculatus in equatorial Africa is the cost to produce a larger egg. The consequences of these findings for the introduction of R. appendiculatus in new environments are discussed. New field observations from southern Zambia indicate that R. appendiculatus body size does not vary seasonally as compared to eastern Zambia. This is an additional indication of the presence of a single diapausing population of larger ticks.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=4557
Speybroeck, N., Madder, M., Thulke, H.-H., Mtambo, J., Tirry, L., Chaka, G., Marcotty, T., Berkvens, D. (2004):
Variation in body size in the tick complex Rhipicephalus appendiculatus/Rhipicephalus zambeziensis
J. Vector Ecol. 29 (2), 347 - 354