Intra-specific competition of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) on cattle.
Abstract
Density-dependent mortality was shown to occur among the parasitic stages of Boophilus microplus (Can.) on European and Zebu X European breeds of cattle in Australia. The proportion of larvae maturing to adults declined steadily with increasing infestation on both breeds of cattle, the rate of decline being much more rapid on the crossbred animals. The stability of the host-parasite relationship and the implications of this intra-specific competition phenomenon in field populations are discussed.