Ixodid ticks infesting rodents and sheep in diverse biotopes of southern India

A total of 127 rodents were trapped in southern India. Examination of these rodents revealed the presence of 2 species of ticks, Haemaphysalis spinigera and Rhipicephalus ramachandrai. The former species is the principal vector of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in India, and the latter's role, if any, is unknown. Sheep grazing in 1 of the study area were infested with another ixodid tick. Haemaphysalis intermedia, which is a vector of Bhanja virus in India. The presence of H. spinigera on domestic rats is important from the standpoint of KFD enzootiology. This tick shows a narrow habitat preference but a wide host range. In peridomestic situations, the field rodent Bandicota bengalensis did not harbor any tick species. Contiguity of feral and domestic biotopes in some areas contributed to the transfer of R. ramachandrai from its preferred wild rodent host, Tatera indica, to domestic rats Rattus sp.