The demography of a snowshoe hare population in relation to its tick ectoparasites in a study area in southwestern Nova Scotia

Data were collected on a snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus, population and its tick ectoparasites during the summers of 1974 to 1976. 'These data were interpreted in an attempt to elucidate tick and snowshoe hare population relationships. Hare trapping success, using baited traps, was found to be higher in May and June than later in the summer. The data tended to indicate a predilection of female hares to the traps. The maximum observed hare density was 1.8 hares/ha. All feeding stages of the rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, were found on the hares and were the most frequently collected tick. Larvae and nymphs of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, were also collected from the hares. Male hares tended to carry more rabbit ticks than females or juveniles. A two year life cycle is proposed for the rabbit tick. Data on larvae and nymphs of the American dog tick agree with a previously proposed two year life cycle for it. Both species of tick displayed negative binomial frequency distribution patterns on the hares.