Heath's tick (Ixodes heathi) is a critically endangered invertebrate native to the Australian alps. It has a close symbiotic relationship with the mountain pygmy possum, and is believed to depend on this species for its survival.
| Ixodes heathi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Ixodida |
| Family: | Ixodidae |
| Genus: | Ixodes |
| Species: | I. heathi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ixodes heathi Kwak, 2018
| |
Etymology
editHeath’s tick is named after the New Zealand parasitologist Allen C.G. Heath.[1]
Ecology
editThe ecology of Heath’s tick is poorly known. However, it has been suggested that this species may be a nest dwelling species which utilises the dens of the mountain pygmy possum to avoid the freezing winters of the Australian alps. Heath’s tick, and its closest relatives Ixodes riscicollaris and Ixodes goliath all occupy habitats with relictual cool, wet Gondwanan climates at high altitudes.[2]
The mountain pygmy possum relies on the fruits of the mountain plum-pine (Podocarpus lawrencei) as a seasonal food source.[3] However, feral horses and deer have caused this plant to decline due to over-grazing.[4] The decline of the mountain pygmy possum, due to decline of the mountain plum-pine, could cause Heath’s tick to become extinct, an example of a trophic cascade.[1] The fragmentation of populations of mountain pygmy possums and Heath’s ticks may result in inbreeding and stochastic events (such as fires) resulting on localised extinction of individual populations.[5] At present Heath’s tick is known from the Australian state of Victoria where it has only been collected on Mt. Higginbotham (the type locality) and on Mt. Loch.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Kwak, Mackenzie L (6 February 2019). "Meet Australia's Newest Species: An Endangered Tick". The Revelator. Center for Biological Diversity. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ a b Kwak, M.K.; Madden, C.; Wicker, L (2018). "Ixodes heathi n. sp.(Acari: Ixodidae), a co-endangered tick from the critically endangered mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus), with notes on its biology and conservation". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 76 (3): 413–419. doi:10.1007/s10493-018-0312-5. PMID 30302626. S2CID 52945250.
- ^ Gibson, R.K.; Broome, L.; Hutchinson, M.F (2018). "Susceptibility to climate change via effects on food resources: the feeding ecology of the endangered mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus)". Wildlife Research. 45 (6): 539–550. doi:10.1071/WR17186. S2CID 91985334.
- ^ Good, R.; Johnston, S. (2019). "Rehabilitation and revegetation of the Kosciuszko summit area, following the removal of grazing–An historic review". Ecological Management & Restoration. 20 (1): 13–20. doi:10.1111/emr.12363.
- ^ Mitrovski, P.; Heinze, D.A.; Broome, L.; Hoffmann, A.A.; Weeks, A.R. (2007). "High levels of variation despite genetic fragmentation in populations of the endangered mountain pygmy-possum, Burramys parvus, in alpine Australia". Molecular Ecology. 16 (1): 75–87. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03125.x. PMID 17181722. S2CID 30603949.