INFESTATION AND HYPERINFESTATION OF KITTIWAKE, RISSA-TRIDACTYLA L, BY TICKS [IXODES-(C)-URIAE, ORNITHODOROS-(A)-MARITIMUS] INFECTED BY ARBOVIRUSES - PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Several cases of infestation and hyperinfestation of young kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) by ticks Ixodes (C.) uriae and Ornithodoros (A.) maritimus were studied in Brittany [France]. Parasitological, histological and virological results showed that tick parasitism alone may represent a major negative factor for the chick''s health able to explain pathological disorders previously reported in other seabird colonies. Arbovirus infections transmitted by the same ticks appeared to be a relatively minor factor. Effects of ectoparasitism by ticks (and other blood-sucking arthropods) must be taken in account during dynamics population studies of seabirds.