Abstract
THE Argasidæ are an important family of ticks and several of their species are of medical or veterinary significance. In so far as the North American kinds are concerned, five species of Ornithodoros are proved carriers of the spirochætes of relapsing fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever has been experimentally transmitted by Ornithodoros parkeri and O. hermsi. Argas persicus is a widespread notorious pest of poultry: the birds may become weakened owing to loss of blood and, when large numbers of ticks are involved, the effects often cause death of the hosts. This tick may also be the carrier of avian spirochætosis, at least in Texas. The spinose ear tick of cattle, Otobius megnini, is a serious enemy of young animals in particular, causing much irritation and loss of condition. This species, however, has not been shown to be concerned with the transmission of any specific disease organism.
The Argasidæ of North America, Central America and Cuba
By R. A. Cooley Glen M. Kohls. (American Midland Naturalist, Monograph No. 1.) Pp. v + 152. (Notre Dame, Ind.: American Midland Naturalist, University of Notre Dame, 1944.) 2 dollars.
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The Argasidæ of North America, Central America and Cuba. Nature 155, 620 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/155620b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/155620b0