Dermacentor (Indocentor) Taiwanensis (Acari: Ixodoidea: Ixodidae): Hosts and Distribution in Taiwan and Southern Japan12

Abstract

The literature contains no field information for Dermacentor (Indocentor) taiwanensis in Taiwan except that a adults (number unstated) were taken from the Wild Pig, Sus scrofa taivanus, in 3 localities. We present data for 195 adults from 18 S. s. taivanus in 7 localities, as well as for 167 immatures (25 reared to adults) from 1 Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracica), 34 murine rodents (Bandicota, Rattus, Mus), 1 tree squirrel (Callosciurus), 2 hares (Lepus), and 8 mustelid and viverrid carnivores (Mustela, Melogale, Paguma) in 6 localities between 5 and 695 m altitude in Taipei, Taitung, and Hsinchu counties of Taiwan. We also summarize published data from the Ryukyu Islands to southern Honshu in Japan, where Sus scrofa riukiuanus is the chief host of adults and where 3 adults were taken from a Japanese Black Bear (Ursus). A few immatures have been reported from Japanese murid rodents (Rattus, Tokudaia) and the Black Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi). Dermacentor (I.) taiwanensis occurs in various wooded biotopes, up to at least 695 m altitude, where Sus scrofa sspp. survive from southern Taiwan to southern Honshu. The role of this tick in maintaining zoonotic infections, some of which may be transmitted to man by other tick species, has not been investigated.