Some Very Preliminary Data

So far, we have identified 223 Ornithodoros ticks found on desert tortoises to species and life stage (Table 1). Ticks have three life stages: larvae, nymph and adult. Only adults can be identified as male or female as they have fully formed sex organs. Larvae and nymphs are sometimes very small and unable to be identified using microscopy techniques (another reason why using molecular methods could prove useful for tick identification - size doesn't matter as much!). All three life stages will feed on a host. Unfortunately, when Ornithodoros ticks are collected from desert tortoises, not only is species not typically noted, but life stage isn't either. This leaves a lot we don't know about what life stages will feed most often from desert tortoises and possible pathogen prevalence and transmission of different life stages. We are excited to learn more about these ticks and possible pathogen interactions between different life stages and hosts.