Sympatric Ixodes-tick species: pattern of distribution and pathogen transmission within wild rodent populations
AbstractThe generalist tick Ixodes ricinus is the most important vector for tick-borne pathogens (TBP), including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, in Europe. However, the involvement of other sympatric Ixodes ticks, such as the specialist vole tick I. trianguliceps, in the enzootic circulations of TBP remains unclear. We studied the distribution of I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps in Central Finland and estimated the TBP infection likelihood in the most common rodent host in relation with the abundance of the two tick species. Ixodes trianguliceps was encountered in all 16 study sites whereas I. ricinus was frequently observed only at a quarter of the study sites. The abundance of I. ricinus…
Research data of article: "Sympatric Ixodes-tick species: pattern of distribution and pathogen transmission within wild rodent populations"
Longitudinal monitoring of bank voles as well as their ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Central Finland, carried out in 2012.