The potential to introduce new tick species and exotic tick-borne diseases into the United States has increased over time with the help of modern transportation. A National Tick Survey was initiated by the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, to assess the current distributions of tick species in the United States as well as identify areas in the United States for the potential introduction and establishment of invasive tick species.
Spatial analysis of the distribution of Amblyomma variegatum, the tropical bont tick, indicates that this species inhabits regions in Africa that have an annual average temperature of 21-27 0C with vegetation types that vary from savanna to deciduous broadleaf forest. If introduced into the United States, the tropical bont tick is most likely to inhabit areas with an annual average temperature of 18-22 0C with vegetation types of cropland/woodland mosaic, mixed forest, and deciduous broadleaf forest. Ecological data models are currently being used to compare habitat characteristics in Africa with suitable areas within the United States.
Species 1: Acari Ixodidae Amblyomma variegatum (tropical bont tick)
Keywords: distribution, ticks
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