Biology ETDs

Publication Date

5-29-1963

Abstract

Nine obligate ectoparasites were taken from 28 Sylvilagus auduboni and 14 Lepus californicus collected in Grant County, New Mexico, from April 15, 1962, to December 24, 1962.

Cediopsylla inaeqaulis inaequalis and Hoplosyllus glacialis affinis, which may be important in the epidemiology of plague, were found to be primarily restricted to S. auduboni. Echidnophaga gallinacea, which is usually found on birds, Pulex irritans, and Meringis dipodomys, which is common on wild rodents, proved to be incidental ectoparasites of this species of rabbit. Thirteen H. glacialis affinis and five E. gallinacea were taken from six L. californicus.

The continental rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, the principal vector of tularemia, was common to both species of rabbit, but was more abundant on S. auduboni. However, Dermacentor parumapertus, a potential vector in epizootics of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, was the principal tick of L. californicus. Two adults and one nymph of Otobius megnini, the spinose ear tick, were incidental ectoparasites of S. auduboni, but were not found on L. californicus.

Only five larvae of Cuterebra were collected from three different S. auduboni. These bot-fly larvae are known to rabbits readily. Based on distribution records, the larvae are probably C. cuniculi or C. leporivora.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

C. Clayton Hoff

Second Committee Member

Marvin LeRoy Riedesel

Third Committee Member

William J. Koster

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