#ixodia

Endangered species come in all shapes and sizes; one often overlooked species is the Ryukyu rabbit tick. This species is endemic to only one island off the coast of southern Japan, and is one of the rarest parasites in the world. Adults feed exclusively on the equally rare and endangered amami rabbit, whose population has been in decline due to the introduction of mongoose and feral dogs on the island. Because of its rarity, the Ryukyu rabbit tick has become something of a flagship species for endangered 'uncharismatic fauna', as an example that you don't need to be cute and cuddly to be worth saving!