Tick Infestation in Migratory Birds of the Vistula River Valley, Poland

Zbigniew Zając (), Joanna Kulisz, Renata Kunc-Kozioł, Aneta Woźniak, Maciej Filipiuk, Robert Rudolf, Katarzyna Bartosik and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
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Zbigniew Zając: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Joanna Kulisz: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Renata Kunc-Kozioł: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Aneta Woźniak: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Maciej Filipiuk: Department of Zoology and Nature Protection, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
Robert Rudolf: Kaliszany Ornithological Station, 24-340 Stare Kaliszany, Poland
Katarzyna Bartosik: Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland
Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz: Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Migratory birds play an important role in the eco-epidemiology of tick-borne diseases due to their ability to carry ticks for long distances. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing the intensity of tick infestation in migratory birds. The study was conducted in a locality situated in the Vistula River valley, eastern Poland, during autumn, when the high migratory activity of birds is registered in the region. The birds were captured using ornithological nets and identified at the species level. In the next step, they were carefully inspected for attached ticks. Tick infestation was observed in 4.43% of the captured birds. The highest mean intensity of tick infestation was observed in birds foraging on the ground or in low shrubs and by long- and medium-distance migrants, i.e., Turdus merula (2.73), T. philomelos (2.04), and Erithacus rubecula (1.58). Ixodes ricinus was found to infest the birds most frequently. However, other tick species, i.e., I. trianguliceps , I. crenulatus (synonym I. canisuga ), and I. apronophorus , rarely found in eastern Poland, were also found parasitizing birds. The occurrence of I. persulcatus , I. frontalis , and I. acuminatus (synonym I. redikorzevi ) was confirmed in the region for the first time. The results of the study suggest that captured bird species are susceptible to tick infestation and could play an important role in the circulation of some tick-borne pathogens. They also play a significant role in the spread of ticks. The ecology and ethology of birds, including their foraging styles and migratory habits, are factors determining the risk of exposure of birds to tick attacks.

Keywords: ticks; bird; ticks infesting birds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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