Diversity, ecology, and seasonality of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Croatia

ABSTRACTThe diversity of hard tick fauna was studied in different forest communities in 48 localities of eastern Croatia using the dragging ‐flagging method and by hand from ten different vertebrate hosts. A total of 2,225 specimens comprising seven species in three genera were identified.Ixodes ricinus, the most abundant species (72.8% of all collected specimens) was recorded in 44 localities, followed byDermacentor reticulatus in 19 localities, while the other five species (D. marginatus,H. concinna,H. inermis,I. canisuga, andI. hexagonus) were recorded in fewer localities. The highest ratio (67% of collected ticks) was in the adult stage with the predominance of females. The numbers of collected females, males, and nymphs ofI. ricinus andH. concinna differed significantly. Ten new tick ‐host associations in Croatia were recorded. Fifty‐three animals were infested with one tick species. Single species infestation withI. ricinus was found in 45.8% of animals, followed byD. reticulatus with 25.4%,D. marginatus with 10.2%,H. inermis andI. hexagonus with 3.4%, andI. canisuga with 1.7%. Coinfestation with two species of ticks were recorded in six animals.Ixodes ricinus,H. inermis, andD. reticulatus showed bimodal seasonal activity; for other species unimodal activity patterns were recorded.

Source: Journal of Vector Ecology - May 22, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Stjepan Kr čmar Tags: Original Article Source Type: research