Which specific disease is transmitted by *D. andersoni* but not generally associated with *D. variabilis*?
Answer
Colorado Tick Fever.
While both the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (*D. andersoni*) and the American Dog Tick (*D. variabilis*) share the capacity to vector several dangerous diseases, notably Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and agents causing tularemia, their specific pathogen portfolios differ. *D. andersoni* is uniquely associated with the transmission of Colorado Tick Fever, a distinct viral illness. Conversely, while *D. variabilis* is a primary vector for RMSF in many regions and transmits tularemia, it is generally not implicated in the spread of Colorado Tick Fever. The acquisition of these specific pathogens often correlates directly with the type of reservoir host utilized during the tick's immature feeding stages.
Related Questions
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