We aim to investigate the role of native and exotic wildlife species in the spread of cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus and R. annulatus) and the potential reemergence of bovine babesiosis in the US. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) have been implicated in the movement of cattle fever ticks Rhipicephalus spp. in South Texas, but less is known regarding the role of other exotic species. A diverse array of exotic species including axis (Cervus axis), fallow (Cervus dama), red deer (Cervus elaphus), blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and gemsbok (Oryx gazella) inhabit the northern reaches of the permanent quarantine area, which includes the South Texas Plains and southern Edwards Plateau. Abundance of these ungulate hosts has transformed the ecology of this disease system since it the disease was eradicated in the mid-1900s and this research will aim to improve our understanding of the potential role of these species in this vector-borne disease system.
