|
Sciuridae Spermophilus richardsonii (Richardson's ground squirrel) Image Caption: A tick clings to the side of a Richardson's ground squirrel. Ticks are one of the many ectoparasites, or external parasites that infest ground squirrels, the most numerous of which, are fleas, mites, ticks, and lice (Burgess, 1955, p. 639). Although the ticks found on Richardson's ground squirrels, Dermacentor andersoni, is a vector of spotted fever and tularemia, and some fleas infesting ground squirrels are vectors of plague (Michener & Koeppl, 1985, p. 4), of over 4000 fleas and over 2000 ticks researchers collected from squirrels in Saskatchewan, no parasites were infected with diseases (Burgess, 1955, p. 639). The flesh fly, Neobellieria citellivora, can infest and kill ground squirrels (Michener, 1993, p 149). |
<< Richardson's Ground Squirrel Ectoparasites >>
Burgess, G. D. (1955). Arthropod ectoparasites of Richardson's ground squirrel. Journal of Parasitology. 41: 639-640. Michener, G. R. & Koeppl, J. W. (1985). Spermophilus richardsonii. The American Society of Mammalogists Mammalian Species 243. (University of Lethbridge Link). Michener, G. R. (1993). Lethal myiasis of Richardson's ground squirrels by the sarcophagid fly Neobellieria citellivora. Journal of Mammalogy, 74:148-155. (University of Lethbridge Link). See Also: University of Lethbridge -- Richardson's Ground Squirrels: Predators & Parasites |
|
Image Location: United States, South Dakota, Brookings Image Date: 2009MAY16 Image Species: Spermophilus richardsonii (EXIF Information is accurate, stamped in UTC). Web Page and Pictures By Peter Leitheiser Updated: 2009SEP06 |
