Experimental study of the effect of taiga tick larvae on murine rodents
Lebedeva, N.H.
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 49(2): 29-33
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8326 PMID: 6993906 Document Number: 166113
Groups of 20 Ixodes persulcatus tick larvae were almost continuously fed for 1 1/2 mo. on the same animals. The long-term parasitizing of these arthropods on common voles [Clethrionomys glareolus] and forest tree mice [Microtus subarvalis] did not cause any marked reduction in the number of engorged specimens, the rate of their engorgement and viability. These rodents did not develop stable defense responses preventing further bloodsucking of I. persulcatus larvae. Feeding of these parasites sometimes caused death of common vole males or reduced their reproductive capacity.