Density of Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks in Eastern Poland

Zbigniew Zając, Aneta Woźniak and Joanna Kulisz
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Zbigniew Zając: Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Aneta Woźniak: Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Joanna Kulisz: Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Dermacentor reticulatus , the ornate cow tick, is second only to Ixodes ricinus as the most important reservoir and vector of infectious diseases in Europe. In recent years, the distribution of D. reticulatus ticks has expanded into new territories, including increased population densities in areas of their previous occurrence. Our investigations around this consisted of two stages. In the first stage, we monitored the seasonal activity of D. reticulatus ticks in Polesie National Park in 2014–2019. The second stage, which was carried out in 2019 at the peak of the spring (March) and autumn (October) activity of this species, included assessment of the density of D. reticulatus ticks in the entire province. To this end, the study area was divided into 101 equal plots that were surveyed for ticks. The seasonal activity of D. reticulatus in Polesie National Park showed peaks of activity in autumn in 2014–2018 and in spring in 2019. A total of 19,559 adult D. reticulatus specimens were collected, with a mean of 96.8 specimens/100 m 2 in Lublin Province. The area of Lublin Province is characterized by a high density of the ornate cow tick. An increase in the surface area of meadows and fallow land has contributed to a rise in the number of local populations of D. reticulatus ticks.

Keywords: tick density; Dermacentor reticulatus; tick distribution; tick occurrence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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