Tests on Ticks from Wild Birds Collected in the Eastern United States for Rickettsiae and Viruses *

Records of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing birds (Aves) in Rhode Island, USA

“…Magnarelli and Stafford (1992) (Anastos and Smith, 1957;Clifford et al, 1969). These are recognized vectors of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever rickettsia (Clifford et al, 1969). In another study (Good, 1973), lxodes muris Bishopp and Smith was found to be infesting various bird species; however, 1. muris has not been implicated in the transmission of any diseasecausing pathogens.…”

“…Many bird species migrate yearly allowing them to acquire and transport ticks along their migratory routes. This long-range migration of birds has been linked to the dispersal of ticks and their associated disease-causing pathogens over extended distances and into new areas (Hoogstraal et al, 1961;Nuorteva and Hoogstraal, 1963;Clifford et aL, 1969;Stafford et al, 1995) routes of North American land birds are oriented northsouth, because the wintering ranges of most bird species are south of their breeding ranges. Also certain geographical features such as coasts, major mountain ranges, and major river valleys are in a north-south direction (Gill, 1990).…”

“…Magnarelli and Stafford (1992) (Anastos and Smith, 1957;Clifford et al, 1969). These are recognized vectors of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever rickettsia (Clifford et al, 1969).…”

Identification ofRickettsia africaeandWolbachiasp. inCeratophyllus gareiFleas from Passerine Birds Migrated from Africa

“…Rickettsiae were found in ticks taken from birds in United States and indicated the presence of R. rickettsii and the Rickettsia sp. of the typhus group (Clifford et al 1969). Sera obtained from ostriches on farms around Zimbabwe have antibodies to Rickettsia africae (Kelly et al 1996).…”

The Biological Survey of Canada: A Personal History

“…They collected 103 specimens from 1070 dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis (Linnaeus)). Although Rickettsia rickettsii has been isolated from I. brunneus, the status of this tick as a potential vector is unknown (Clifford et al 1969). However, there is good evidence that I. brunneus may cause paralysis in birds (Bishopp and Tremblay 1945;Gregson 1973;Schwab 1987;Luttrell et al 1996).…”