Host-feeding behaviour of Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus in mono-specific and inter-specific infestations

Abstract

Background: Given the sympatric occurrence in some regions of Europe and the great epidemiological significance of D. reticulatus and D. marginatus species, we investigated the behaviour of these ticks during inter-specific and mono-specific host infestations. Findings: The investigations were conducted on rabbits at 20 ± 3°C and humidity of 38 ± 1 %. The inter-specific infestations groups consisted of 20 females and ten males of D. marginatus and 20 females and ten males of D. reticulatus on each host, whereas mono-specific infestations involved 40 females and 20 males of each species. The investigations have demonstrated competition between the two tick species resulting in modification of the behaviour on the host and the feeding course in D. marginatus females by the presence of D. reticulatus. In the inter-specific group, D. marginatus females attached for a longer time (mean 2.74 ± 1.12 h) than in the mono-specific group (mean 1.24 ± 0.97 h) (p < 0.0001). The feeding period of these females was shorter (9.45 ± 1.30 days) than in the mono-specific group (13.15 ± 2.53 days) (p < 0.0001), but they exhibited a statistically significantly higher body weight in comparison with the females from the mono-specific infestation (p = 0.0155). In D. reticulatus females, no significant difference was found in the host attachment and feeding rates between the mono-specific and inter-specific groups. Conclusions: The differences in the behaviour of the females from both species during co-feeding reflect physiological adaptation to environmental conditions, which enables them to ingest blood and reproduce. During co-feeding of D. reticulatus and D. marginatus on the same host, two inter-specific systems with different physiological features are formed, which may influence the transmission of tick-borne pathogens.

First metagenomic report of <i>Borrelia americana</i> and <i>Borrelia carolinensis</i> in Poland – a preliminary study

“…In Poland, similar to the rest of Europe, expansion of D. reticulatus' territory is evident in 2018 [8]. This process was linked to changes in its preferred habitats; previously, it favoured wet areas with a relatively high level of ground waters, swampy mixed forests, riverside valleys and meadows, but now it can be found with the same frequency in urban and suburban areas [5,7]. D. reticulatus feeds on many different mammals, which facilitates its survival and expansion to new habitats.…”

“…It feeds on other mammals and birds, which makes them relevant to veterinary medicine [4]. Seasonal activity usually begins in April and ends in November; however, microclimate and recent climate change allow for tick activity throughout most of the year [5].…”

“…D. reticulatus feeds on many different mammals, which facilitates its survival and expansion to new habitats. Humans might be incidental hosts of D. reticulatus, especially when other mammals are unavailable [5].…”

Host feeding behaviour of Dermacentor reticulatus males in relation to the transmission of pathogens

“…Nymphs and females infect the host during feeding which lasts from several to a dozen or so days during their seasonal activity, depending on, e.g. the stage and species of the tick [18,19,20], intensity of invasion [20,21], and physiological status of the host [19,20,22].…”

Study of the non-parasitic stage in Ixodes ricinus after co-feeding with Dermacentor reticulatus in three infestations

“…Co-feeding of ticks is a subject of increasing interest as transmission of some pathogens may occur between infected and uninfected ticks while feeding on a host in the absence of systemic infection [5,6]. Aggregation of ticks at one site during co-feeding has been shown not only to facilitate tick-borne pathogen transmission, but also increase the feeding success of the parasite [7]. Due to repeated tick invasions, the host gradually develops a resistance and its immunity significantly decrease ticks vitality.…”