Detecting Dermacentor albipictus, the winter tick, at the northern extent of its range: Hunter-based monitoring and serological assay development

• Main Author: Kashivakura, Cyntia Kayo
• Other Authors: Kutz, Susan, Duignan, Padraig
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Graduate Studies 2013
• Subjects: Parasitology; Veterinary Science; Environmental Sciences; winter tick; Dermacentor albipictus; Moose; Sahtu; Northwest Territories; range expansion
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11023/634; https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/25595

Dermacentor albipictus is an important parasite of moose and other ungulate species. In 1989, winter ticks were reported as far north as 62° N, but recent anecdotal reports of clinically affected moose in the Sahtu Settlement Area, NT suggested significant range expansion. This research aimed to determine the occurrence of D. albipictus on moose and caribou hides from the Sahtu submitted by local hunters, to investigate growth and development of winter ticks on captive reindeer, and to develop a serological assay to detect antibodies to ticks using cattle as a model. Winter ticks were confirmed in 5 of 30 moose at 66° N. The development of ticks on captive reindeer was similar to that reported in moose. There was no consistent pattern in antibody response after exposure to ticks. Future studies should continue monitoring to understand the potential risks of this parasite to infest caribou under a changing climate.