Abiotic predictors and annual seasonal dynamics of Ixodes ricinus, the major disease vector of Central Europe

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F75010330%3A_____%2F15%3A00010919" target="_blank" >RIV/75010330:_____/15:00010919 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/8/1/478" target="_blank" >http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/8/1/478</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-1092-y" target="_blank" >10.1186/s13071-015-1092-y</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Abiotic predictors and annual seasonal dynamics of Ixodes ricinus, the major disease vector of Central Europe

Original language description

METHODS: A 6-year study of the questing activity of I. ricinus was conducted in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic, from 2001 to 2006. Tick numbers were determined by weekly flagging the vegetation in a defined 600 m(2) field site. After capture, ticks were released back to where they were found. Concurrent temperature data and relative humidity were collected in the microhabitat and at a nearby meteorological station. Data were analysed by regression methods. RESULTS: During 208 monitoring visits, a total of 21,623 ticks were recorded. Larvae, nymphs, and adults showed typical bimodal questing activity curves with major spring peaks and minor late summer or autumn peaks (mid-summer for males). Questing activity of nymphs and adults began with ~12 h of daylight and ceased at ~9 h daylight, at limiting temperatures close to freezing (in early spring and late autumn); questing occurred during ~70 % calendar year without cessation in summer. The co-occurrence of larvae and nymphs varied annually, ranging from 31 to 80 % of monitoring visits, and depended on the questing activity of larvae. Near-ground temperature, day length, and relative air humidity were all significant predictors of nymphal activity. For 70 % of records, near-ground temperatures measured in the microhabitat were 4-5 -C lower than those recorded by the nearby meteorological observatory, although they were strongly dependent. Inter-annual differences in seasonal numbers of nymphs reflected extreme weather events. CONCLUSIONS: Weather predictions (particularly for temperature) combined with daylight length, are good predictors of the initiation and cessation of I. ricinus nymph questing activity, and hence of the risk period to humans, in Central Europe. Co-occurrence data for larvae and nymphs support the notion of intrastadial rather than interstadial co-feeding pathogen transmission. Annual questing tick numbers recover quickly from the impact of extreme weather events.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_x - Unclassified - Peer-reviewed scientific article (Jimp, Jsc and Jost)

CEP classification

DN - Environmental impact on health

OECD FORD branch

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Project

<a href="/en/project/NT11425" target="_blank" >NT11425: Mapping of natural foci of zoonoses transmissible to humans and evaluation of their change due to the climate modifications.</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2015

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Parasites and Vectors

ISSN

1756-3305

e-ISSN

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Volume of the periodical

8

Issue of the periodical within the volume

478

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

12

Pages from-to

1-12

UT code for WoS article

000361457100001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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