Dermacentor variabilis
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D. variabilis
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| Dermacentor variabilis (Say, 1821)
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| File:Dermacentor variabilis range map.svg | |
| Normal range in red; other reports in blue | |
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Dermacentor variabilis, also known as the American dog tick or Wood tick, is a species of tick that is known to carry bacteria responsible for several diseases in humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia (Francisella tularensis). It is one of the most well-known hard ticks. Diseases are spread when it sucks blood from the host, which could take several days for the host to experience some symptoms.
Though D. variabilis may be exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease,[1] these ticks are not competent vectors for the transmission of this disease.[2][3][4] The primary vector for Borrelia burgdorferi is the deer tick Ixodes scapularis in Eastern parts of the United States, and Ixodes pacificus in California and Oregon. Dermacentor variabilis may also carry Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of HGE (human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the causative agent of HME (human monocytic ehrlichiosis).[1]
Dermacentor ticks may also induce tick paralysis by elaboration of a neurotoxin that induces rapidly progressive flaccid quadriparesis similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome. The neurotoxin prevents presynaptic release of acetylcholine from neuromuscular junctions.
See also
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) – brown dog tick
- Ticks of domestic animals
Bibliography
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References
External links
- Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
- Illinois photographs
- Iowa tick images
- Dealing with dog ticks
- American dog tick on the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Featured Creatures website
