Ixodes eudyptidis male (figure adapted from Dumbleton (1961)) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Ixodes eudyptidis female (figure adapted from Dumbleton (1953)) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Species name

Ixodes eudyptidis Maskell, 1885

Common name

New Zealand seabird tick

Naming history

Ixodes eudyptidis Maskell, 1885 (accepted name)

Synonyms and misapplied names:
Ixodes intermedius Neumann, 1899 (synonym)
Ixodes neumanni Nuttall & Warburton, 1911 (synonym)
Ixodes praecoxalis Neumann, 1899 (synonym)
Ixodes (Ixodes) eudyptidis Neumann, 1911 (synonym)
Ixodes (Ixodes) eudyptidis eudyptidis Neumann, 1911 (synonym)
Ixodes (Multidentatus) eudyptidis Clifford et al., 1973 (synonym)
Scaphixodes (Multidentatus) eudyptidis Camicas et al., 1998 (synonym)

Description of larva

Not available at present

Description of nymph

Based on description of Roberts (1970).

• Body semiengorged specimen 2.1 by 1.5 mm; engorged specimen 3.1 by 2.2 mm, widest just anterior to spiracular plates; hairs pale, minute, scattered.
• Capitulum length 0.37-0.40 mm.
  • Basis capituli dorsally 0.25-0.27 mm wide, much as in female; basis ventrally with well-defined auriculae.
  • Palps 0.28-0.31 mm in length with a maximum width of about 0.90 mm, similar to palps of female but indentation on inner margin at junction of articles 2 and 3 not so obvious.
  • Hypostome broadly rounded distally; dentition 3/3 then 2/2 basally.
• Scutum 0.64 by 0.50-0.70 by 0.54 mm; otherwise as in female.
• Anal grooves as in female.
• Spiracular plate oval, the longer axis transverse, 0.10 by 0.13 mm.
• Legs as in female
  • Tarsi length of tarsus I 0.37-0.40 mm, and of tarsus IV 0.36-0.38 mm.
    

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Description of female

Based on description of Roberts (1970).

• Body oval, semiengorged specimen 7.1 by 5.1 mm; posterolateral and median grooves obvious; hairs small, pale, scattered. Engorged specimen 11.2 by 5.9 mm.
• Capitulum length 0.62-0.74 mm.
  • Basis capituli dorsally subrectangular 0.50-0.54 mm wide; posterior margin straight, salient; posterolateral margins mildly divergent anteriorly; no cornua; porose areas large, subtriangular or sub-oval, the longer axis transverse, almost contiguous and occupying most of basis; basis ventrally broadly rounded posteriorly; auriculae large, at most only mildly retrograde, and only mildly curved externally.
  • Palpi short and broad, 0.55-0.60 mm in length, narrow basally and broadening rapidly to a maximum width of about one third the length, broadly rounded apically, inner margin usually indented at junction of articles 2 and 3; article 1 transverse, the dorsal internal margin ridge-like; articles 2 and 3 0.46-0.51 mm in length; hairs few and mainly short.
  • Hypostome 0.36-0.42 mm in length, rounded apically, median ventral area unarmed almost to apex; dentition 1 or 2 rows of 5/5 small teeth distally, followed by 4 or 5 rows of 4/4, 2 rows of 3/3 and 6 rows of 2/2.
• Scutum Longer than wide, the W/L ratio varying from 0.77 to 0.89, 1.3 by 1.0 mm-1.5 by 1.3 mm, widest anterior to mid-length; posterolateral margins mildly concave or mildly convex; posterior angle broadly rounded. Punctations few, fine and scattered, some rugae along anterolateral margins. Cervical grooves attaining posterolateral margin's, moderately deep and convergent anteriorly. Emargination shallow. Scapulae shallow, broadly rounded.
• Genital aperture On a level with posterior margin of coxa II or with second intercoxal space.
• Anal grooves Rounded in front, mildly constricted posteriorly.
• Spiracular plate Broadly oval or subcircular, 0.37 by 0.43 mm-0.43 by 0.46 mm; macula anterior and ventrad to centre.
• Legs Slender, length moderate, joints pale.
  • Coxae all coxae with a conspicuous, blunt, external spur; coxa I also with a broad, curved, internal spur.
  • Trochanters each with a ventral, rounded, posteroexternal spur, strongest on trochanters II and III, sometimes lacking on IV.
  • Tarsi slender, tapering gradually, length of tarsus I 0.83-0.93 mm, of tarsus IV 0.80-0.90 mm.

Description of male

From Dumbleton (1961).

Disease relationships

This section needs to be updated.

Distribution

New Zealand, Australia.

Status in New Zealand

Endemic/naturalised

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Comments, identifying features and similar species

Ixodes eudyptidis is a three host tick of sea birds that is nidicolous and occurs in New Zealand and southern Australia. It is known to feed at least 17 species of sea birds and 2 species of land birds.  Little if anything is known about the ability of I. eudyptidis to vector disease.  However, infestation by this species has been associated with paralysis of seabirds.

Ixodes eudyptidis can be distingusihed from other Ixodes species that occur in New Zealand by the following features;

• Hosts:Sea birds
• Males: Dentition of the hypostome 2/2 toothed area short; palpal article (segment) 2 abruptly narrows basally giving the palps a club shaped appearance; anal grooves arcurate and converging.
• Females: First palpal (article) segment without spurs; palpal article (segment) 2 abruptly narrows basally giving the palps a club shaped appearance; cornua absent, porose areas sub triangular (pear shaped), widest internally; auriculae with transverse posterior margin (handle shaped).
• Nymphs: F irst palpal (article) segment without spurs; basis capituli with auriculae; all coxae with conspicuous external spur and coxa 1 with internal spur.

Useful references

Barker SC & Murrell A  2004.  Systematics and evolution of ticks with a list of valid genus and species names.  Parasitology, 129: S15-S36.

Bishop DM. & Heath ACG 1998. Checklist of ectoparasites of birds in New Zealand. Surveillance. Special Issue: Parasites of Birds in New Zealand. 25: 13-31.

Camicas JL, Hervy JP, Adam F & Morel PC 1998.  Les Tiques de Monde.  Nomenclature, stades decrits, hotes, repartition.  The ticks of the world.  Nomenclature, described stages, hosts, distribution (Acarida, Ixodida). France , Orstom Editions.

Dumbleton LJ 1953. The ticks (Ixodoidea) of the New Zealand sub-region. New Zealand Cape Expedition Series Bulletin, 14: 1-28.