The ectoparasite fauna for island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) on Santa Cruz Island (California, USA) in April (wet season) and September (dry season) 1998 was evaluated. Three taxa of ectoparasites were identified. These were fleas (Pulex irritans), lice (Neotrichodectes mephitidis), and ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Ectoparasite abundances varied seasonally. Typical of insular endemic species, island foxes may be especially vulnerable to the introduction of novel disease organisms and their vectors.
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1 January 2001
Ectoparasites of the Island Fox on Santa Cruz Island
Kevin R. Crooks,
Cheryl A. Scott,
Lisa Angeloni,
Lizabeth Bowen,
Robert B. Kimsey,
Dirk H. Van Vuren
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 37 • No. 1
January 2001
Vol. 37 • No. 1
January 2001
ectoparasite
flea
Island fox
lice
survey
tick
Urocyon littoralis