| Alectorobius kelleyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Ixodida |
| Family: | Argasidae |
| Genus: | Alectorobius |
| Species: | A. kelleyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Alectorobius kelleyi | |
Alectorobius kelleyi is an argasid tick parasite of bats. [2]
The species is found widely throughout North America, including the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico and Cuba. [3] It primarily feeds on Eptesicus fuscus, but is also known to rarely bite humans and domestic dogs. [4] [5]
A. kelleyi are often vectors for Rickettsia bacteria species from the spotted fever group, and relapsing fever Borrelia spirochetes. [3] [6] The pathogenicity of these bacteria to humans and bats is unknown, but there is correlative evidence that bites from the species may cause tick-borne disease. [7] [8]
The species is named for Thomas F. Kelley Jr. who discovered the tick while studying at UC Berkeley in 1941. [9]
