2007Journal of Medical EntomologyRequires access

Tick Paralysis of a Snake Caused by Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: Ixodidae)

Britta A. Hanson, Philip A. Frank, James W. Mertins, Joseph L. Corn

Open publisher page 28 citations

Abstract

A lethargic southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn and Wood, wild-caught in the Florida Keys, Monroe County, FL, was found to be paralyzed by the bite of a female ixodid tick, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). Removal of the tick restored the snake to normalcy within 18 h. Other, earlier reported cases of tick toxicosis in reptiles are reviewed and clarified. Evidently, the present incident is the only reported case of tick paralysis in a poikilotherm found in a natural setting.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

A lethargic southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn and Wood, wild-caught in the Florida Keys, Monroe County, FL, was found to be paralyzed by the bite of a female ixodid tick, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). Removal of the tick restored the snake to normalcy within 18 h. Other, earlier reported cases of tick toxicosis in reptiles are reviewed and clarified. Evidently, the present incident is the only reported case of tick paralysis in a poikilotherm found in a natural setting.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 28 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

A lethargic southern black racer, Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn and Wood, wild-caught in the Florida Keys, Monroe County, FL, was found to be paralyzed by the bite of a female ixodid tick, Amblyomma rotundatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). Removal of the tick restored the snake to normalcy within 18 h. Other, earlier reported cases of tick toxicosis in reptiles are reviewed and clarified. Evidently, the present incident is the only reported case of tick paralysis in a poikilotherm found in a natural setting.

Key concepts: Ixodidae, Acari, Tick, Biology, Amblyomma, Argasidae, Zoology, Amblyomma americanum

Related papers

Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Tick Paralysis of a Snake Caused by Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: Ixodidae) — Research Paper | ScholarLens