Chemical attraction of Dermacentor variabilis ticks parasitic to Peromyscus leucopus based on host body mass and sex

Dallas, Tad; Foré, Stephanie A.

doi:10.1007/s10493-013-9690-x

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Symbiotic arthropods can acquire a host relatively passively, via vertical and/or horizontal transmission from one host to another, or by engaging in active seeking, which is common among mites and ticks (Daralova et al 1997; Dallas and Foré, 2013). The mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is commonly found in ephemeral habitats of rotting organic matter or in agricultural settings (Axtell, 1963; Jalil and Rodriguez, 1970).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mite choice generates sex- and size-biased infection inDrosophila hydei

Campbell

Luong

2016

Parasitology

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Heterogeneities in parasite infection among conspecific hosts often manifest as sex- or size-biased infections, which are typically attributed to differential host susceptibility and exposure. Since parasite fitness is often tied to host quality, host preference by parasites is likely to be under strong selection. We test the hypothesis that host preference is sufficient to generate variability in infection rate among conspecifics. Specifically, we ask whether the mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is able to discriminate between Drosophila hydei hosts of different sex and size, while explicitly accounting for the potential confounding effects of these two factors. Our results indicate a preference for female hosts, but this preference appears to be driven by size and not sex per se. When differences in body size were controlled for, the sex-biased infection disappeared, while mites presented with the choice of two female flies of disparate sizes were more likely to select the larger host. Across the distribution of fly body weight in this study, mites preferentially attached to flies of intermediate size. This study provides evidence that mite choice for certain host types can play an important role in parasite transmission, even in the absence of differential susceptibility or exposure among hosts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mite choice generates sex- and size-biased infection inDrosophila hydei

Campbell

Luong

2016

Parasitology

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“…Host preference of I. ricinus has not been tested experimentally, but there are examples of other tick species that show an intra-species host preference. Dermacentor variabilis preferred the odours from larger and male mice over smaller and female mice [ 66 ], I. arboricola preferred well developed bird nestlings over less developed nestlings [ 67 ], whereas I. hexagonus preferred sick hedgehogs over healthy ones [ 68 ]. Testosterone can also affect tick burden.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-trophic interactions driving the transmission cycle of Borrelia afzelii between Ixodes ricinus and rodents: a review

2015

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The tick Ixodes ricinus is the main vector of the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causal agent of Lyme borreliosis, in the western Palearctic. Rodents are the reservoir host of B. afzelii, which can be transmitted to I. ricinus larvae during a blood meal. The infected engorged larvae moult into infected nymphs, which can transmit the spirochaetes to rodents and humans. Interestingly, even though only about 1 % of the larvae develop into a borreliae-infected nymph, the enzootic borreliae lifecycle can persist. The development from larva to infected nymph is a key aspect in this lifecycle, influencing the density of infected nymphs and thereby Lyme borreliosis risk. The density of infected nymphs varies temporally and geographically and is influenced by multi-trophic (tick-host-borreliae) interactions. For example, blood feeding success of ticks and spirochaete transmission success differ between rodent species and host-finding success appears to be affected by a B. afzelii infection in both the rodent and the tick. In this paper, we review the major interactions between I. ricinus, rodents and B. afzelii that influence this development, with the aim to elucidate the critical factors that determine the epidemiological risk of Lyme borreliosis. The effects of the tick, rodent and B. afzelii on larval host finding, larval blood feeding, spirochaete transmission from rodent to larva and development from larva to nymph are discussed. Nymphal host finding, nymphal blood feeding and spirochaete transmission from nymph to rodent are the final steps to complete the enzootic B. afzelii lifecycle and are included in the review. It is concluded that rodent density, rodent infection prevalence, and tick burden are the major factors affecting the development from larva to infected nymph and that these interact with each other. We suggest that the B. afzelii lifecycle is dependent on the aggregation of ticks among rodents, which is manipulated by the pathogen itself. Better understanding of the processes involved in the development and aggregation of ticks results in more precise estimates of the density of infected nymphs, and hence predictions of Lyme borreliosis risk.

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“…Tick attractants have long been well studied. For example, D. variabilis adults are attracted to CO 2 (Carr et al 2013) and prefer the smell of oak over pine (Conlon and Rockett 1982), while nymphs are attracted to white‐footed mice ( Peromyscus leucopus , Dallas and Fore 2013). Ixodes ricinus is attracted to rodent skin (Crooks and Randolph 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral characteristics and endosymbionts of two potential tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever tick vectors

Lefcort

Tsybulnik

Browning

et al. 2020

Journal of Vector Ecology

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Due to climate change‐induced alterations of temperature and humidity, the distribution of pathogen‐carrying organisms such as ticks may shift. Tick survival is often limited by environmental factors such as dryness, but a predicted hotter and wetter world may allow the expansion of tick ranges. Dermacentor andersoni and D. variabilis ticks are morphologically similar, co‐occur throughout the Inland Northwest of Washington State, U.S.A., and both can be injected with pathogenic Rickettsia and Francisella bacteria. Differences in behavior and the potential role of endosymbiotic Rickettsia and Francisella in these ticks are poorly studied. We wanted to measure behavioral and ecological differences between the two species and determine which, if any, Rickettsia and Francisella bacteria – pathogenic or endosymbiotic ‐ they carried. Additionally, we wanted to determine if either tick species may be selected for if the climate in eastern Washington becomes wetter or dryer. We found that D. andersoni is more resistant to desiccation, but both species share similar questing behaviors such as climbing and attraction to bright light. Both also avoid the odor of eucalyptus and DEET but not permethrin. Although both tick species are capable of transmitting pathogenic species of Francisella and Rickettsia, which cause tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, respectively, we found primarily non‐pathogenic endosymbiotic strains of Francisella and Rickettsia, and only one tick infected with F. tularensis subspecies holarctica.

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Chemical attraction of Dermacentor variabilis ticks parasitic to Peromyscus leucopus based on host body mass and sex

Cited by 12 publications

References 36 publications

Mite choice generates sex- and size-biased infection inDrosophila hydei

Mite choice generates sex- and size-biased infection inDrosophila hydei

Multi-trophic interactions driving the transmission cycle of Borrelia afzelii between Ixodes ricinus and rodents: a review

Behavioral characteristics and endosymbionts of two potential tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever tick vectors

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