Page 40 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023
P. 40
Ticks Do Have Roles in Oklahoma Ecosystems
Researcher Finds Fascination with The Little Suckers
By Jena Donnell, Communication Specialist
TICKS DO HAVE ROLES IN
OKLAHOMA ECOSYSTEMS Dann Thombs/Flickr
RESEARCHER FINDS
FASCINATION WITH
BY JENA DONNELL,
THE LITTLE SUCKERS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST
When Jes Farquhar’s family moved from
JAMES GATHANY/CDC Arizona to Oklahoma, ticks were one of her
bigger concerns. A decade later, Farquhar
had overcome her apprehensions and was
a graduate researcher with Oklahoma State
University studying the ticks that parasitized
black bears.
“Once I started researching ticks, I developed
a respect for them,” Farquhar said. “They’re not
my favorite, and I certainly don’t want a tick
bite, but they’re fascinating animals.”
Farquhar said ticks play three main roles in
The black-legged tick, often called a deer tick, is
among several tick species found in Oklahoma. our ecosystem.
38 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA
