Answer :
Final answer:
The ectoparasite referred to in the question is the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi), also known as the moose tick, a blood-sucking ectoparasite found on the European moose and capable of intense infestation.
Explanation:
The ectoparasite that climbs onto moose in the fall and feeds on its blood all winter long is known as the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi). These blood-sucking keds exhibit a life cycle that involves attaching to a host and shedding their wings, after which they remain on the host and continue to draw blood until they reach senescence. In particular, the deer ked is known for being an ectoparasite of the European moose (Alces alces) and has been found in large numbers on these animals in Fennoscandia, indicating the intensity of infestation. The deer ked has shown a significant capacity for geographical expansion and the ability to withstand cold temperatures, which contributes to its invasive potential in deer populations. Therefore, the correct answer to the given question would be (c) Moose Tick, as this term is often used interchangeably with deer ked, though the formal name and focus in scientific literature is deer ked.
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Final answer:
The correct answer to the ectoparasite that feeds on moose blood all winter long is c) Moose Tick.
Explanation:
The ectoparasite that climbs onto Moose in the fall and feeds on its blood all winter long is the moose tick. Ticks, including the Ixodes species, have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts. Although the moose is not a primary host for the tick species known for spreading Lyme disease, it does suffer from parasitism by ticks that prefer larger animals. The deer ked, mentioned in the reference, is a fly and not a tick, and it is an ectoparasite affecting moose, but it is not the correct answer to this specific question as it does not adhere to the described behavior of feeding on blood all winter long. Therefore, the correct answer is c) Moose Tick.
