AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

During the months of July, August and early September of 1950 and 1951, a survey was conducted in southern Saskatchewan to determine the presence or absence of sylvatic plague (Pasteurella pestis (Lehmann and Neumann)) in native rodents, with special reference to Richardson’s ground squirrel (Oitellus richardsonii richardsonii (Sabine)) and its flea ectoparasites. The investigation was carried out in conjunction with field work done in May and June of the same years in a search for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Dermacentroxenus rickettsi (Walbach)) and tularaeoeia (Pasteurella tularensis (McCoy and Chapin)), in the two species of ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) and Dermacentor andersoni Stiles, which occur in south-eastern and south-western Saskatchewan respectively. The survey disclosed that Richardson’s ground squirrel harboured many ectoparasites other than fleas; upon examination, these proved to be ticks, mites and lice. A search of the literature failed to reveal a comprehensive paper on the ectoparasites of C. r. richardsonii. Thus, it was decided that a study should be made. The following pages are a result of this work. A parasitological survey of the genus Citellus was made in Manitoba by McLeod in 1933. This entailed collecting and identifying ecto- and endo-parasites. Five species of ectoparasites were identified: Dermacentor venustus, Liponyssus occidentalis, Liponyssus montanus, Ceratophyllus bruneri, Linognathoides montanus. [...]