Which specific small mammal is identified as a critical reservoir host for Lyme disease bacteria in California for *I. pacificus*?
Answer
The dusky-footed woodrat (*Neotoma fuscipes*)
Understanding the disease ecology of *Ixodes pacificus* involves identifying the specific wildlife hosts crucial for maintaining the pathogen life cycle within the ecosystem. For *Borrelia burgdorferi* specifically, which causes Lyme disease in the Western United States, the dusky-footed woodrat, scientifically named *Neotoma fuscipes*, serves a vital role as a critical reservoir host. This creature maintains high levels of the infectious bacteria, which can then be picked up by questing nymphs of the tick, ensuring the pathogen remains circulating within the Pacific coastal ecosystems where *I. pacificus* thrives.
Related Questions
Which Phylum classification groups *Ixodes pacificus* with insects and crustaceans?What key leg count distinguishes the Class Arachnida of *I. pacificus* from insects?What distinct morphological feature defines *I. pacificus* belonging to Family Ixodidae?What biological capability inherent to the *Ixodes* genus alerts professionals to potential neurotoxic effects?What specific epithet in *Ixodes pacificus* clearly indicates its primary geographical confinement?How long do *Ixodes* species, including *I. pacificus*, often require to progress from larva to adult stage?Which specific bacterium transmitted by *I. pacificus* is responsible for causing Lyme disease?What feature dictates that *I. pacificus* surveillance data must often be tracked separately from *I. scapularis* records?Which specific small mammal is identified as a critical reservoir host for Lyme disease bacteria in California for *I. pacificus*?What host type do the larval stages of *I. pacificus* commonly target for feeding during their development?What characteristic separates ticks in Order Ixodida from other mites in Subclass Acari?