Ectoparasites of the blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra).

Abstract

Fifty-two free-ranging blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) from Texas were examined for ectoparasites. Two species of sucking lice (Anoplura), one species of chewing louse (Mallophaga), one species of louse fly (Diptera), and three species of ticks (Acari) were found. This is the first report of the anoplurans Linognathus cervicaprae and L. pithodes from the Western Hemisphere. The southern deer ked (Lipoptena mazamae), the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), and the rabbit tick (Haemaphysalis leporispalustris) are reported from blackbuck for the first time. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the mallophagan (Damalinia cornuta cornuta) were reported previously from blackbuck in Texas, the latter species under the name Tricholipeurus balanicus balanicus.