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NEW SERIES, No. 17
RECORDS OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA MUSEUM LAUNCESTON
THE TICK FAUNA OF TASMANIA
by
F. H. S. ROBERTS*
*Division of Animal Health, C.S.I.R.O., Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory, Yeerongpilly, Queensland.
Manuscript received 31/1/1964
Published 15/6/1964
SUMMARY
Nineteen species of ticks are now known to occur in Tasmania. These are distributed among the various genera as follows : Argas (1), Ixodes (13), Amblyomma (2), and Aponomma (3). The presence of a species of the Argas (Carios) vespertilionis group, of a representative of the I. auritulus group, and of 1. antechini, I. trichosuri and I. australiensis, is recorded for the first time. Host and geographical records, most of which are new, are given for all species.
Prior to the commencement some ten years ago of studies by the author on the systematics of Australian ticks, only seven species had been recorded from Tasmania. Neumann (1899) described Ixodes tasmani from the Tasmanian mainland and Amblyomma postoculatum and Amb. limbatum from King Is., Bass Strait, and recorded the presence of I. ornithorhynchi Lucas. Nicholls (1922) noted Haemaphysalis bispinosa Neumann on cattle at Hobart, Taylor (1946) referred to "Aponomma trachysauri Lucas" (= Ap. hydrosauri Denny (Roberts 1964)), and Seddon to Ixodes holocyclus Neumann.
Roberts (1960) increased the number of species of Ixodes to nine, namely eudyptidis Maskell, uriae White, kohlsi Arthur, pterodromae Arthur, ornithorhynchi Lucas, tasmani Neumann, fecialis Warburton & Nuttall, cornuatus Roberts, and hirsti Hassall. According to this author, holocyclus does not occur in Tasmania. The same author indicated that three species of Aponomma are present (Roberts 1964). Ornithodoros capensis Neumann, which is known to be associated with the little penguin, Eudyptula minor, in southern Australia, including Victoria, is probably also present on this host in Tasmania but as yet there are no records. H. bispinosa has not been seen since Nicholls' (1922) record; in fact, Roberts (1963) found the genus Haemaphysalis to be entirely unrepresented.
The present paper gives new host and geographical records for the species already recorded, with notes on species recorded for the first time. These records are based mainly on recent extensive collections made available to the author by the Division of Wildlife Research, C.S.I.R.O.
CONTENTS
I. eudyptidis Maskell
I. auritulus Neumann
I. pterodromae Arthur
I. uriae White
I. kohlsi Arthur
I. ornithorynchi Lucas
I. tasmani Neumann
I. fecialis Warburton
& Nuttall
I. antechini Roberts
I. australiensis Neumann
I. cornuatus Roberts
I. hirsti Hassall
I. trichosuri Roberts
Ap. hydrosauri Denny
Ap. concolor Neumann
Ap. auruginans Schulze
ARGASIDAE
Genus Argas Latreille
Argas (Carios) sp.
Hoogstraal and Kohls (1962) in their paper on larvae of the subgenus Carios from bats of the Australian mainland and New Guinea, consider these to belong to the vespertilionis group and to be possibly pusillus Kohls, or australiensis Kohls & Hoogstraal, or a new species. Larvae from Pipistrella tasmaniensis, G.P.O., Hobart, 27.vii.1962, were not included in this paper, but Kohls (personal communication) considered that they also belong to the vespertilionis group. This is the first record of a species of Argas in Tasmania.
IXODIDAE
Genus Ixodes Latreille
I. eudyptidis Maskell
Roberts (1960) recorded this species from Eudyptula minor, Little Green Is., Furneaux Group, Bass Strait.
Material since received and placed under this name includes : Larus novaehollandiae, Wynyard, 9.ii.1959, R. H. Green. (2 fem). Tyto novae hollandiae castanops, Lemon Hill, Jericho, 21.ii.1960, R.H.G., (1 fem). Eudyptula minor (burrow), Port Davey, 20.xi.1959, R.H.G. (1 fem ). Sula bassana serrator, Black Pyramid, Bass Strait, R.H.G., (15 nymph). j~
One specimen from L. novaehollandiae has a malformed basis capitulum and right palp. In both specimens the scutum is broader in relation to its length, W/L ratio 0.87 and 0.89 respectively, than in type material of eudyptidis, W/L ratio 0.77 (Dumbleton, personal communication). As, however, Dumbleton intimated that he has encountered specimens from New Zealand considered by him to be this species with a W/L ratio similar to that of the Tasmanian material, which otherwise conforms closely to the description of eudyptidis, the two specimens have been determined as this species.
The female from T. n. castanops can he given only a provisional determination of eudyptidis as it differs in several aspects from other specimens determined as this species by Dumbleton (personal communication) and the author. The scutum is somewhat subcrcular, about as wide as long, palpal articles 2 and 3 are without any obvious constriction and the anal grooves are parallel. The specimen could represent a new species, but more material is required before this can he decided.
The female from a burrow of E. minor and the nymphs from S. b. serrator appear typical of eudyptidis.
I. auritulus Neumann
Material placed under this name comprised Strepera fuliginosa : Saint Valentine's Peak, 13.vii.1962, D. Alexander (1 fem ); Maydena, 6.iv.1961 (1 nymph). Sericornis humilis, Maydena, 15.vii.1962, B. Maclean (1nymph).
In both the female and nymphal specimens, palpal article I possesses a conspicuous, internal anterior horn like process, and as there is no mesodorsal spur on this article, they have been placed in the auritulus group (Arthur 1960). The female has been compared with a. zealandicus Dumbleton by Dumbleton (personal communication) who considers it to differ in the longer, narrower, more strongly retrograde auriculae, in the shape of the porose areas, in the form of the coxal spurs and in the shape of the concavity between the spurs.The coxal characters are reminiscent of Arthur's (1960) figure of the South American form of this species. This female could he another subspecies of auritulus.
This is the first record of a member of the auritulus group in Australia.
I. pterodromae Arthur
In addition to the record from Diomedea exulans, De Witt I. (Roberts 1960), this species is now known from Puffinus tenuirostris, Bruni L, 1.iv.1962, T. 0. Wolfe (2 fem) and Fisher L, Bass Strait, Mar. 1963, T.O.W. (2 male).
I. uriae White
The only record of this species is "Tasmanian penguin," King I, Bass Strait (Roberts 1960).
I. kohlsi Arthur
Previously known from Eudyptula minor, Kingston Beach and North Bruni I. (Roberts 1960), kohlsi is now recorded also from this host, Little Green I., Furneaux Group, Bass Strait, Jan. 1952, J. H. Calaby (8 nymph).
I. ornithorynchi Lucas
Roberts (1960) noted this species from Ornithorhynchus anatinus, Bothwell, and Mt. Wellington, and from "blue-tongue lizard," Hobart. New records from 0. anatinus include Westbury, 9.iii.1961, B. C. Mollison (1 nymph), and Maydena, 9.v.1961, T. Anderson (5 fem, 3 nymph). The record from 'blue tongue lizard" is probably erroneous, as this tick appears specific to the platypus.
I. tasmani Neumann
Hosts and localities previously noted (Roberts 1960) include Sarcophilus harrissii Hobart, "wombat," Gretna, and "tiger cat," Arthur R.
Material since examined indicated that this species is extremely widespread and is undoubtedly the most common Tasmanian tick, occurring on a wide variety of hosts. These include : Sarcophilus harrisii : Maydena, 5.i.1959, B. C. Mollison (2 fem); Maydena, 5.ii.1960, B.C.M. (28 fem ); Maydena, 11.vi.1960, B.C.M. (2 fem); Maydena, 2.ii.1962, B.C.M. (10 fem ); Hilltop, 24.ii.1960, B.C.M. (2 fem ); Rocherlea, 11.ii.1962, R. H. Green (4 fem) Florentine Valley, 25.ix.1963, T. 0. Wolfe (5 fem , 4 nymph, 3 larvae). Dasyurus quoll : Tim Shea, 2.ii.1960, B.C.M. (1 fem, 3 nymph); Mt. Wellington, 22.ii.1961, B.C.M. (2 nymph). Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus : Smithton, 30.xii.1961, N. Marsh, (1 fem); Mt. Styx, 19.ii.1957, B.C.M. (1 nymph); Kelso, 19.ii.1957, B.C.M. (3 male); Maydena, 2.ii.1960, B.C.M. (1 nymph); Maydena, 21.i.1960, B.C.M. (1 nymph); Hythe, 13.i.1962 (1 fem, 1 nymph). Vombatus ursinus : Mt. Field National Park, 2.xii.1959, T. Anderson (2 fem); Kelso, 5.ii.1960, B.C.M. (5 fem); Green's Beach, 20.vii.1960, B.C.M. (5 fem); Green's Beach, 20.viii.1961, R.H.G. (1 fem). Protemnodon rufogrisea : Mersey R., near Woogera, 9.i.1957, G. B. Sharman (3 fem); Maydena, 6.i.1959, B.C.M. (3 fem); Maydena, 29.xi.1960, B.C.M. (1 fem); Maydena, 15.xi.1961, B.C.M. (2 fem). Potorous tridactylus : Maydena, 7.i.1960, T.A. (1 nymph); Green's Beach, 2.iii.1961, B.C.M. (1 fem, 5 nymph, 7 larvae); Orford, 25.xii,1961, B.C.M. (3 nymph). Thylogale billardierii : Maydena, Feb. 1959, B.C.M. (3 fem); Maydena, 31.i.1960, T.A. (7 fem); Maydena, 5.ix.1961, B.C.M. (1 fem, 1 nymph); Maydena, 23.xi.1961, BC M (2 fem, 1 nymph). Perameles gunnii : Maydena, 29.xi.1960, J. H. Callaby (5 fem, 5 nymph, 8 larvae); Maydena, 29.xi.1960 B.C.M. (4 fem). Isoodon obesulus . Dunorlan, 9.i.1959, G.B.S. (3 fem); Maydena, 17.xii.1960, T.A. (3 nymph, 3 larvae); Cascades, South Hobart, 5.vii.1962, B.C.M. & T.A. (2 o) Pseudocheirus convolutor : 19.x.1960, B.C.M. (1 nymph); Saint Valentine's Peak, 9.vii.1962, T.A. (3 nymph). P. laniginosus : Delamere, 2.vii.1959, G.B.S. (1 nymph, 3 larvae). Bettongia cuniculus : Green's Beach, 4.ix,1962, R.H.G. (4 nymph). Petaurus breviceps : Westbury, 8.viii.1960, R.H.G. (2 nymph). Tachyglossus setosus : Maydena, 10.ii.1959, B.C.M. (2 fem); Antill Ponds, 17.iii.1960, R.H.G. (2 9); Scotsville, 16.iv.1962, R.H.G. (2 9). Rattus norvegicus : Hobart, 19.x.1961, B.C.M. (2 larvae); Woolbridge, 19.i.1961, B.C.M. (13 larvae). R. rattus : Maydena, 12.xii.1959, B.C.M. (2 nymph, 3 larvae); Maria I, 25.iv.1962, R.H.G. (3 nymph). R. lutreolus : Yolla, 16.ii.1962, B.C.M. (3 larvae). Hydromys chrysogaster : Sandy Bay, Hobart, 12.iii.1962, R.H.G. (3 nymph). Pseudomys higginsi: Waratah, 27.vi.1963, R.H.G. (3 nymph). Homo sapiens : Green's Beach, 14.x.1961 (1 nymph attached); Notley Fern Gorge, West Tamar, 24.xi.1962, R.H.G. (1 fem attached); Maydena, 6.iii.1961 (1 nymph crawling).
I. fecialis Warburton & Nuttall
Previously known from "tiger cat," Arthur R., and Antechinus sp. McIntyre R. (Roberts 1960), this species is now recorded also from Dasyurus quoll, Georgetown, 12.iii.1960, R. H. Green (3 nymph), and Sarcophilus harrisii, Maydena, 2.ii.1962, B. C. Mollison (1 fem).
I. antechini Roberts
This species is recorded from Tasmania for the first time. Determination was based on the following material : Dasyurus quoll : Maydena, 9.ii.1961, B. C. Mollison (1 nymph); Icena Estate, 13/14/.v.1961, R. H. Green (1 nymph). Antechinus minimus : Maatsuyker I., Aug. 1951 (8 larvae). A swainsonii, Maatsuyker L, Aug. 1951 (4 nymph).
I. australiensis Neumann
Previously known only from Western Australia, this species is represented by three lots of specimens from Potorous tridactylus, namely, Beaconsfield, 4.xi.1960, R. H. Green (2 nymph); Myrtle Bank, 16.viii.1961, R.H.G. (8 nymph, 4 larvae); Kelso, 6.ix.1961, R.H.G. (1 nymph).
The nymph of australiensis was described by Roberts (1960). The Tasmanian material agrees with this description except for slightly larger scuta.
I. cornuatus Roberts
This species was previously recorded from unknown hosts, Cox's Bight and Gordon R. (Roberts 1960). Specimens since determined from adults include : Vombatus ursinus : Mount Field National Park, 11.xii.1959, T. Anderson (2 fem); Mundunna, 25.ii.1961, B. C. Mollison (1 fem); Kelso, 5.ii.1960, B.C.M. (8 fem).
The immature forms of this species have not been described, and up to the present all immature material received has not been accompanied by any adults. Determination of the following immature specimens as cornatus is, therefore, only tentative : Isoodon obesulus : Eagle Hawk, 9.ix.1961, T. Anderson (1 nymph); Deviot, 28.i.1962, R. H. Green (1 nymph); Green's Beach, 27.i.1961, B. C. Mollison (5 nymph, 1 larvae); Burnie, 27.i.1961, B.C.M. (1 nymph); Green's Beach, 26.ii.1961, B.C.M. (8 nymph); Green's Beach, 16.ii.1961, B.C.M. (3 nymph, numerous larvae); Green's Beach, 9.iv.1961, B.C.M. (4 nymph). Thylogale billiardierii : Kelso, 17.ii.1960, R.H.G. (1 nymph, 1 larva). Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus : Kelso, 16.ii.1960, B.C.M. (15 larvae). Bettongia cuniculus : Green's Beach, 12.vi.1961, R.H.G. (2 o nymph). Perameles gunnii : Green's Beach, 11.v.1961, B.C.M. (22 nymph). Rattus rattus : Green's Beach, 27.iii.1961, B.C.M. (20 larvae). R. lutreolus : Kelso, 19.ii.1960, B.C.M. (8 larvae). Mus musculus: Flowery Gully, 3.iv.1963, R.H.G. (1 larva). Strepera fuliginosa : Maydena, 6.iv.1961, T. 0. Wolfe (1 nymph). Cracticus torquatus : Kelso, 19.ii.1961, B.C.M. (1 larva). Colluricincla harmonica : Green's Beach, 20.viii.1961, R.H.G. (1 nymph). Sericornis humilis : Green's Beach, 24.ii.1961, B.C.M. (1 larva).
I. hirsti Hassall
Roberts (1960) recorded this tick from "kangaroo," King I., and from an unknown host, Mt. Wellington. It has since been taken on Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus, Smithton, 30.ii.1961, W. Marsh (1 fem).
I. trichosuri Roberts
This tick hitherto recorded only from Cheltenham, N.S.W., has now been determined in Tasmania in the following material : Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus, Hythe, 30.i.1962, B. C. Mollison (1 9). Bettongia cuniculatus, Green's Beach, 12.vi.1960, R. H. Green (2 nymph). Rattus lutreolus, Flowery Gully, 3.iv.1963, R.H.G. (6 larvae). R. rattus, Deviot, 24.xi.1963, R.H.G. (3 larvae). Sericornis humilis, Hunting Ground, 28.xi.1963, T. 0. Wolfe (1 nymph, 1 larva).
Genus Amblyomma Koch
Records of the occurrence of species of Amblyomma remain restricted to Amb. limbatum and Amb. postoculatum described by Neumann (1899) from King I., Bass Strait (Roberts 1964).
Genus Aponomma Neumann
.Roberts (1953) referred to only one record of this genus, namely, trachysauri on Trachysaurus rugosus. A later paper (Roberts 1964) increased the number of species to three, namely hydrosauri, auruginans and concolor. In this paper it was shown that the species of inornate Aponomma from reptiles previously called trachysauri Lucas should be referred to the name hydrosauri Denny, and that from the echidna, Tachyglossus spp., previously determined as hydrosauri, should be referred to concolor Neumann.
Ap. hydrosauri Denny
Material determined under this name comprised : Chelodina longicollis (introduced) : Green's R H. Green (2 nymph). Tiliqua nigrolutea : West Tamar, 27.x.1959, R.H.G. (2 male, 5 nymph); Green's Beach, 16.ii.1961, B. C. Mollison (4 ~, 2 9, 8 o); Kelso, 19.ii.1961, B.C.M. (4 male, 3 fem 4 nymph); Green's Beach, 22.vii.1961, R.H.G. (2 fem); Sandford, 9.ix.1962, B.C.M. (6 male, 1 nymph). T. scincoides, Launceston, 17-20.xi.1960, B.C.M. (2 male, 1 fem, 1 nymph). Trachysaurus rugosus, Launceston, 22.ii.1960 (2 male ). Amphibolurus diemensis, Launceston, 15.x.1963, R.H.G. (20 larvae). Denisonia superba, Kelso, 16.ii.1961, R.H.G. . G. (3 male, 4 nymph); Green's Beach, 24.iv.1961, R.H.G. (3 fem, 2 nymph). Notechis scutatus scutatus, Lower Longley, 15.v.1962, B.C.M. (1 fem).
Ap. concolor Neumann
This species was represented by five lots, all from Tachyglossus setosus. Details are : Deloraine, 21.i.1959 (3 9 ); Wynyard, 8.xii.1960, R. H. Green (2 8, 3 9, 1 o); Green's Beach, 7.xi.1961, R.H.G. (7 o, 4 larvae); Kelso, 17.ii.1961, B. C. Mollison (1 o, 6 larvae).
Ap. auruginans Schulze
This material includes Vombatus ursinus, Tarraleah, 12.i.1949 (1 male, 2 fem); Deloraine, 4.xii,1958 (2 fem, 1 nymph); Gretna, 2.iii.1960, J. Rolley (1 fem). Wandering in cave, Flinders L, Mar. 1960, J. Thomson (1 male, 1 fem).
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