Climate-driven variation in the phenology of juvenile Ixodes pacificus on lizard hosts
Parasites & Vectors,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
18(1)
Опубликована: Апрель 15, 2025
Abstract
Background
Ectothermic
arthropods,
like
ticks,
are
sensitive
indicators
of
environmental
changes,
and
their
seasonality
plays
a
critical
role
in
the
dynamics
tick-borne
disease
warming
world.
Juvenile
tick
phenology,
which
influences
pathogen
transmission,
may
vary
across
climates,
with
longer
seasons
cooler
climates
potentially
amplifying
transmission.
However,
assessing
juvenile
phenology
is
challenging
arid
because
ticks
spend
less
time
seeking
for
blood
meals
(i.e.
questing)
due
to
desiccation
pressures.
As
result,
traditional
collection
methods
dragging
or
flagging
effective.
To
improve
our
understanding
latitudinal
gradient,
we
examined
Ixodes
pacificus
on
lizards,
primary
host
California,
explored
how
climate
factors
influence
phenological
patterns.
Methods
Between
2013
2022,
were
removed
from
1527
lizards
at
45
locations
during
peak
season
(March–June).
Tick
counts
categorized
by
life
stage
(larvae
nymphs)
linked
remotely
sensed
data,
including
monthly
maximum
temperature,
specific
humidity
Palmer
Drought
Severity
Index
(PDSI).
metrics,
abundances
Julian
date
mean
abundance
temporal
overlap
between
larval
nymphal
populations,
analyzed
along
gradient.
Generalized
additive
models
(GAMs)
applied
assess
climate-associated
variation
lizards.
Results
Mean
per
lizard
ranged
0.17
47.21
locations,
highest
San
Francisco
Bay
Area
lowest
Los
Angeles,
where
more
had
zero
attached.
In
Area,
occurred
25
days
earlier
than
abundance.
Temporal
stages
given
location
varied
regionally,
northern
areas
showing
higher
overlap,
possibly
bimodal
nymphs.
We
found
that
temperatures
increased
drought
stress
lower
abundances,
although
magnitude
these
effects
depended
regional
location.
Conclusions
Our
study,
compiled
10
years
reveals
significant
I.
differences
abundance,
timing,
overlap.
These
findings
highlight
local
seasonality,
implications
changing
climate.
Graphical
Язык: Английский
The Impact of Vegetation Changes in Savanna Ecosystems on Tick Populations in Wildlife: Implications for Ecosystem Management
Diversity,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
17(5), С. 314 - 314
Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2025
Vegetation
changes
in
savanna
ecosystems
are
playing
an
increasingly
important
role
shaping
tick
populations
and
the
spread
of
tick-borne
diseases,
with
consequences
for
both
wildlife
livestock
health.
This
study
examines
how
factors
such
as
climate
variability,
land
use,
vegetation
structures,
host
availability
influence
survival,
distribution,
behavior.
As
grasslands
degrade
woody
plants
become
more
dominant,
ticks
finding
suitable
habitats,
often
supported
by
microclimatic
conditions
that
favor
their
development.
At
same
time,
increased
contact
between
domestic
wild
animals
is
facilitating
transmission
pathogens.
review
highlights
seasonal
patterns,
fire
regimes,
grazing
pressure,
change
driving
shifts
activity
expanding
geographical
range.
These
increase
risk
disease
humans
alike.
Addressing
these
challenges
calls
integrated
management
strategies
include
control,
population
monitoring,
sustainable
vector
control
methods.
A
holistic
approach
connects
ecological,
animal,
human
health
perspectives
essential
effective
prevention
long-term
ecosystem
management.
Язык: Английский