Mating behavior of male deer ticksIxodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae) |
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Authors: | Boaz Yuval Robert D Deblinger Andrew Spielman |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, 02115 Boston, Massachusetts;(2) The Trustees of Reservations, 572 Essex Street, 01915 Beverly, Massachusetts;(3) Department of Parasitology, Hebrew University Medical School, P.O. Box 1172, 91010 Jerusalem, Israel |
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Abstract: | To analyze the sexual behavior of male black-legged deer ticks Ixodes dammini,we collected ticks infesting 202 white-tailed deer. On average, 17.7 males and 8.8 females infested each deer. Field-collected males copulated with a mean of 2.25 females, and virgin males mated with 2.4 females. On experimental hosts, males established sexual contact with feeding females and repelled other males, and about half remained paired after their mate detached. Engorged females continue to be receptive, and males mate more readily with them than with nonfed females. We conclude that male I. damminiare endowed with a repertoire of behaviors which favor an opportunistic mating before seeking a host and a preference for mating with feeding females on the host accompanied by tenacious mate guarding. |
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Keywords: | Ixodes dammini sexual behavior operational sex ratio mate guarding |
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