Dermacentor albipictus: 1 Hybridization of the Two Forms of the Winter Tick

Abstract

The taxonomic status of Dermacentor albipictus (Packard) and D. nigrolineatus (Packard) is unclear. In reciprocal crosses, isolated pairs of the 2 forms mated readily, and the cross-mated females engorged, detached, and produced viable egg masses. Females from all of a series of 10 different types of hybrid crosses produced viable eggs. No reproductive isolating mechanism, including hybrid sterility, was detected, and the 2 geographic forms of winter tick we studied appear to be conspecific.