Dermacentor variabilis (Say)

Reeves, Will K., Durden, Lance A., Ritzi, Christopher M., Beckham, Katy R., Super, Paul E & Oconnor, Barry M., 2007, Ectoparasites and other ectosymbiotic arthropods of vertebrates in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, Zootaxa 1392, pp. 31-68 : 48-49

Dermacentor variabilis (Say) —American dog tick

Ex Canis rufus (red wolf—introduced): 1 F, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 25 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller, RML 122539; 2 M, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 7 May 1998, R. D. Keller, RML 122662; 16 M, 4 F, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 15 May 1998, R. D. Keller, RML 122664.

Ex Myodes gapperi (northern red­backed vole): 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., 30 Sep. 2001, K. Walters.

Ex Equus caballus (horse): 1 F, NC, Swain Co., Deep Creek horse stable, 23 May 2001, W. K. Reeves.

Ex Homo sapiens (human): 1 F, NC, Swain Co., Payne Creek, 8 Jul. 2001, W. K. Reeves, L­ 2963; 1 M, 1 F, NC, Swain Co., 20 Mile Ranger Stn., 8 Jul. 2001, W. K. Reeves, L­ 2964; 1 M, NC, Swain Co., Sweet Branch, 8 Jul. 2001, W. K. Reeves, L­ 2965, 1 F, TN, Blount Co., Cade’s Cove, 25 May 2001, W. K. Reeves;.

Ex Procyon lotor (raccoon): TN, Blount Co., Cades Cove, 1979­1980 (Rabinowitz et al. 1983); 1 M, 1 F, GSMNP, 18 Aug. 1988, R. Thompson, RML 119897; 5 N, 3 L, GSMNP, date not given, R. Thompson.

Ex Lama glama (lama) (introduced): 1 F, TN, Blount Co., Cade’s Cove, 4 Aug. 2003, W. K. Reeves, L­ 3099.

Ex Marmota monax (woodchuck): 1 F, NC, Swain Co., Smokemont, 22 Aug. 2002, W. K. Reeves, L­ 2988.

Ex Ochrotomys nuttalli (golden mouse): TN, Sevier Co., near Cosby, D. W. Linzey, 1964­1966 (Linzey 1968, Linzey & Linzey 1968).

Ex Peromyscus leucopus (white­footed mouse): 1 L, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 26 May 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 L, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 29 May 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 29 May 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 L, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 30 May 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 3 Jun. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 13 Jun. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 15 Jun. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 18 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 21 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 21 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 23 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller; 1 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 23 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller; 3 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 23 Jul. 1997, R. D. Keller, RML 122540; 4 N, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 2 Aug. 1997, R. D. Keller.

Ex Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mouse): 1 L, NC, Haywood Co., Cataloochee, 12 May 2001, E. B. Pivorun, L­ 2945, RML 123123; 1 L, NC, Haywood Co., Purchase Creek, 12 May 2001, E. Pivorun, L­ 2944, RML 123124.

Ex Sus scrofa (feral hog): 1 F, TN, Sevier Co., Sugarland Mountain, 15 Apr. 1998, R. D. Keller, RML 122663.

Ex Synaptomys cooperi (southern bog lemming): 1 N, 4 L, GSMNP, 2001, R. P. Eckerlin, L­ 2976, M­ Scoop­ 2­2001; 2 L, GSMNP, 2001, R. P. Eckerlin, L­ 2977, M­Scoop­ 1­2001.

Dermacentor variabilis was the most frequently collected tick in the Park. Immature stages mainly parasitize small mammals whereas adults parasitize larger mammals including humans, dogs, raccoons, and opossums (Durden & Kollars 1992). Dermacentor variabilis is the principal vector of the agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever ( Rickettsia rickettsii ) in eastern North America and toxins released by certain individual attached females can cause tick paralysis especially in dogs and humans (Strickland et al. 1976, Durden & Kollars 1992).