Bovicola tibialis(Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae): Occurrence of an Exotic Chewing Louse on Cervids in North America: Table 1.

Abstract

Through a recent (2003-2007) survey of ectoparasites on hoofed mammals in western North America, a literature review, and examination of archived museum specimens, we found that the exotic deer-chewing louse, Bovicola tibialis (Piaget), is a long-term, widespread resident in the region. The earliest known collection was from Salt Spring Island, Canada, in 1941. We found these lice on the typical host, that is, introduced European fallow deer (Dama dama L.), and on Asian chital (Axis axis [Erxleben] ), native Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus [Richardson] ), and Rocky Mountain mule deer (O. h. hemionus [Rafinesque]) x black-tailed deer hybrids. Chital and the hybrid deer are new host records. All identified hosts were known to be or probably were exposed to fallow deer. Geographic records include southwestern British Columbia, Canada; Marin and Mendocino Counties, California; Deschutes, Lincoln, and Linn Counties, Oregon; Yakima and Kittitas Counties, Washington; Curry County, New Mexico; and circumstantially, at least, Kerr County, Texas. All but the Canadian and Mendocino County records are new. Bovicola tibialis displays a number of noteworthy similarities to another exotic deer-chewing louse already established in the region, that is, Damalinia (Cervicola) sp., which is associated with a severe hair-loss syndrome in black-tailed deer. We discuss longstanding problems with proper identification of B. tibialis, the probability that it occurs even more widely in the United States, and the prospects for it to cause health problems for North American deer. Additional information gathered since our active survey establishes further new distribution and host records for B. tibialis.

Exotic pediculosis and hair-loss syndrome in deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations in California

“…14 Over the past 2 decades, EPOD in deer has spread from Washington to California, and the range of the lice continues to expand. In 2009 and 2011, respectively, B. tibialis was detected in Riggins in western Idaho, Box Butte County in Nebraska, Carbon County in Wyoming, 18 Fallon in western Nevada, Tonopah in central Nevada, and Baker in eastern Nevada (P Wolff, Nevada Department of Wildlife, pers. comm.).…”

“…Examined deer from the herd were infested with B. tibialis and L. africanus lice, 18 and had mild to severe hair loss, verminous pneumonia, and copper and selenium deficiencies (CDFW, unpublished observations).…”

“…1,18 The cases of EPOD in 2009 in Tuolumne County, California, were associated with high mortality, and most afflicted deer were severely deficient in both selenium and copper. Such mineral deficiencies have been reported in California wildlife before the emergence of EPOD.…”

Influence of hair loss syndrome on black-tailed deer fawn survival

“…The lower survival of HLS fawns may be because of poor body condition, as they were found to have lower body condition scores (Murphie ) similar to observations from other studies (Bildfell et al , Foreyt et al ). Fawns with HLS were likely compromised by the loss of hair, which increased their thermoregulatory costs, reduced fat stores, weakened their immune responsiveness (Bildfell et al , Mertins et al ), and increased their risk of predation and other natural mortality factors.…”

“…to mule deer and the subsequent development of HLS. Mertins et al () reported extensive hair loss in tule elk ( C. canadensis nannodes ) in California and a necropsy found Damalania ( Cervicola ) sp. We documented heavy infestations of Damalania ( Cervicola ) sp.…”