Ticks infesting dogs and cats in North America: Biology, geographic distribution, and pathogen transmission

Saleh, Meriam N.; Allen, Kelly E.; Lineberry, Megan W.; Little, Susan E.; Reichard, Mason V.

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109392

Cited by 48 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 368 publications

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“…The present research confirms that, as reported for other hosts, attachment site of ticks on horses varies by tick species. This phenomenon is well recognized for Otobius megnini , a soft tick commonly found in the external ear canal of horses in the western USA, but less established for common ixodid species [ 27 ]. The finding in the present study that I .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The basis for these attachment site preferences is not well understood but may involve differences in host-seeking strategies. Amblyomma americanum is more likely to aggressively move towards hosts along a carbon dioxide or pheromone gradient, emerging from the leaf litter to climb the legs and attach ventrally [ 27 , 31 ]. In contrast, other tick species (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dermacentor spp., Ixodes spp.) employ a more passive questing strategy, climbing vegetation and waiting for a host to brush past [ 27 , 32 ]. Together, these data and other studies indicate that ticks may be found on several regions of horses, supporting the need for complete external parasite examination when attempting to accurately characterize equine tick infestations [ 1 , 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…albipictus and I . scapularis predominating in the cooler fall and winter months [ 27 , 28 , 33 ]. Although a previous study suggested that both D .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The findings from the present study have some limitations. Although occasionally identified in the region, O. megnini was not recovered from any horse, likely because this species is found in the external ear canal, and we did not sedate horses for thorough ear examination [ 27 ]. The low numbers of A .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Equine attachment site preferences and seasonality of common North American ticks: Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor albipictus, and Ixodes scapularis

et al. 2021

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Background Ticks are common on horses, but recent publications characterizing equine tick infestations in North America are lacking. Methods To further understand attachment site preferences of common ticks of horses, and to document the seasonality of equine tick infestation in northeastern Oklahoma, horses from eight farms were evaluated twice a month over a 1-year period. Each horse was systematically inspected beginning at the head and moving caudally to the tail. Attachment sites of ticks were recorded and all ticks collected were identified to species and stage. Results Horses (26 males and 62 females) enrolled in the study ranged in age from 1 to 23 years (mean = 12, 95% CI 11–13). A total of 2731 ticks were collected; 84.1% (74/88) of the horses were infested (median = 3 ticks) at one or more examinations. Five tick species were identified, including Amblyomma americanum (78.2%; 2136/2731), Ixodes scapularis (18.2%; 497/2731), Dermacentor albipictus brown variant (2.6%; 71/2731), Dermacentor variabilis (0.7%; 20/2731), and Amblyomma maculatum (0.3%; 7/231). Most ticks were adults (83.6%; 2282/2731), but immature A. americanum (436/2136; 20.4%), D. albipictus (12/71; 16.9%), and A. maculatum (n = 1) were occasionally recovered. Amblyomma americanum were most often attached to the inguinal area, and I. scapularis and D. albipictus were most commonly found on the chest and axillary region (P < 0.0001). Ticks were found on horses in every month of the year. The largest number of ticks (638/2731; 23.4%) were collected in May (P < 0.0001). Amblyomma americanum, primarily immature, was the only tick recovered in September, I. scapularis and D. albipictus predominated October through February, and both A. americanum and I. scapularis were common in March. In the warmer months, April through August, A. americanum was the most common tick, followed by D. variabilis and A. maculatum. Conclusions This research confirms that ticks common on horses in North America have attachment site preferences and that ticks infest horses in Oklahoma throughout the year, including during the winter. Additional research is warranted to fully understand the risk these infestations pose to equine health. Graphical abstract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…albipictus and I . scapularis predominating in the cooler fall and winter months [ 27 , 28 , 33 ]. Although a previous study suggested that both D .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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