New reptilian host for the reptile tick Amblyomma limbatum Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae), from Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Parasites impact on the survival of individual animals and populations, by decreasing health and nutrition and in the longer-term potentially reducing reproductive outcomes (Vilcins et al., 2005). Ticks have been documented to reduce immunological fitness through parasitemia leading to anemia and blood cell abnormalities (Telford, 1984), reduced growth, survivorship and reproductive output (Madsen et al., 2005). They have also been shown to impact behavior through their role as vectors (Bouma et al., 2007).