| Amblyomma triguttatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Amblyomma triguttatum female | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Ixodida |
| Family: | Ixodidae |
| Genus: | Amblyomma |
| Species: | A. triguttatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Amblyomma triguttatum Koch, 1844 | |
Amblyomma triguttatum, commonly known as theornate kangaroo tick, is a species oftick in the genusAmblyomma native to Australia, inWestern Australia, parts ofQueensland, and inNew South Wales.
There are four subspecies, one or more of which might be separate species.[1] The subspecies includeAm. t. ornatissimum,Am. t. queenslandensis,Am. t. rosei, andAm. t. triguttatum.[2]
The nominate subspecies is a vector forRickettsia.[3]
Like all species in its family,Ixodidae (known as hard ticks), the kangaroo tick is a parasiticarachnid and is an obligatehematophage, solely consuming blood for its nutritional needs.[4]
The life cycle ofAmblyomma triguttatum is characterised by a three-host pattern, with each developmental stage necessitating a host for a blood meal.[5] This obligate haematophagy is crucial for the tick's progression through its larval, nymphal, and adult stages. The process involves a recurring sequence of feeding, detachment, and moulting. Notably, adult male ticks deviate from this pattern, generally forgoing blood meals in favour of seeking reproductive opportunities with adult females. Conversely, female ticks typically engage in all three blood-feeding stages throughout their development.
Thought to be a carrier ofQ fever, in addition to parasitisingmacropods such aswestern grey kangaroos andTammar wallabies, it has been found on a variety of other mammalian hosts, includingblack rats,European rabbits, domesticated dogs and cats, and humans.[6]
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