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Ixodes uriae White, 1852
Common Seabird Tick
Family: Ixodidae
Synonym(s): Ceratixodes uriae

Introduction to the Ticks of BC

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Distribution of Ixodes uriae in British Columbia in British Columbia

Introduction


There are two major sources of information for tick species in Canada and British Columbia. One is an old Canada Department of Agriculture publication: The Ixodoidea of Canada by John D. Gregson (1956). The other is the relatively new "A Handbook to the Ticks of Canada (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Argasidae) by Lindquist et al. 2016. John Gregson's considerable work on ticks provided key information on tick biology, distribution and host species. Information from Gregson's book forms the core of the species biology presented below. His original distribution information has been updated, however, based on collection records from the Canadian National Collection and other sources. That information is now further updated in the new book by Lindquist et al. (2016), and those interested in tick distributions should consult that publication. Thanks to Evert Lindquist, King Wu, Terry Galloway and Robbin Lindsay for input and insights into the biology and distribution of our tick fauna, and review of the original tick pages.

Species Information

Gregson (1956) describes this genus as follows: “Inornate ticks lacking eyes and festoons. Anal grooves embracing anus anteriorly. Palpi variable in form. Coxae about equal in size; spurs variable or absent. Males with seven non-salient ventral plates.” He indicates that this species resembles Ixodes signatus, and similarly lacks internal coxal spurs. He further adds: “Females are distinguished by their hairiness, the males by an unusual terminal fringe of spines. Because of the poorly armed nature of their hypostomes, it is believed that the males of this species are nest inhabitants and do not feed.”

Source: Gregson, John D. 1956. The Ixodoideae of Canada. Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa


Figures illustrating terms used in the description of ticks [PDF].

Biology

Species Biology

This tick infects marine birds (Gregson (1956). There is a noticeable seasonal feeding activity pattern for this species that is associated the breeding season, with the period for engorgement limited to 3.5–4.5 months; almost all the ticks overwintered in the unengorged state (Frenot et al. 2001). In penguins, this tick species attaches during the nesting season, and completes engorgement in one week (Lee and Baust 1987). It exhibits the greatest range of thermal tolerance for any Antarctic terrestrial arthropod and remains in a permanent state of cold-hardiness throughout the year (Lee and Baust 1987). The Lyme Disease bacteria, Borrelia burdorferi has been isolated from this tick in a seabird colony in the Baltic Sea (Olsen et al. 1993).

Habitat


This species is associated with seabird colonies and their associated habitat.

Distribution

Global Range

According to Gregson (1956), this species has a cosmpolitan distribution. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa, India, Australia and America. This is the predominant tick species in the Antarctic Peninsula (Lee and Baust 1987).
Range in Canada and BC

In Canada, this species has been found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts (Gregson 1956). It has been collected in BC from Tofino and Langara Island.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Species References

Gregson, John D. 1956. The Ixodoidae of Canada. Canada Department of Agricluture, Ottawa.

Lindquist, Evert E., Terry D. Galloway, Harvey Artsob, L. Robbin Lindsay, Michael Brebot, Heidi Wood and Richard. G. Robbins. 2016. A Handbook to the Ticks of Canada (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Argasidae Biological Survey of Canada, Ottawa

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