Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing bats in Serbia (original) (raw)

Ticks (Acari: Argasidae, Ixodidae) parasitizing bats in the central Balkans

Experimental & applied acarology, 2015

Ticks parasitizing bats have been largely understudied, especially in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, where the last data from the field research date from almost 25 years ago. Bats are hosts to a large number of ectoparasites, including ticks, which can act as vectors of zoonotic agents. For this reason, it is important to identify the distribution of ticks and their relationship to different hosts, including wild animals, bats in particular. The present research was conducted at 16 localities throughout Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). We examined 475 individuals of bats belonging to 13 species. A total of three tick species were identified, I. simplex being the most numerous and widespread, followed by I. vespertilionis and A. vespertilionis. To the best of our knowledge, the presented data include the first records of I. simplex in Serbia and Montenegro, I. vespertilionis for Montenegro and A. vespertilionis...

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing on bats in Poland and Slovakia. Wiad Parazit

Wiadomości parazytologiczne

We summarize the previously published reports and the results of our own research about distribution of ticks parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia. Five species of ticks infesting bats were recorded: Carios vespertilionis, Ixodes (E.) vespertilionis, I. (P.) simplex, I. (I.) ricinus and I. (Ex.) trianguliceps. Two last species were observed only on bats in Poland. C. vespertilionis, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex are specific parasites of bats. C. vespertilionis was recorded on 37 sites in Poland and 7 in Slovakia. Fourteen species of bats in Poland and 5 in Slovakia were parasitized by this species. I. vespertilionis was collected from 6 bat species both in Poland and Slovakia respectively on 22 and 11 sites, respectively. The remaining species have been reported very rarely.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia

Wiadomości Parazytologiczne, 2009

We summarize the previously published reports and the results of our own research about distribution of ticks parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia. Five species of ticks infesting bats were recorded: Carios vespertilionis, Ixodes (E.) vespertilionis, I. (P.) simplex, I. (I.) ricinus and I. (Ex.) trianguliceps. Two last species were observed only on bats in Poland. C. vespertilionis, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex are specific parasites of bats. C. vespertilionis was recorded on 37 sites in Poland and 7 in Slovakia. Fourteen species of bats in Poland and 5 in Slovakia were parasitized by this species. I. vespertilionis was collected from 6 bat species both in Poland and Slovakia respectively on 22 and 11 sites, respectively. The remaining species have been reported very rarely.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing bats in Poland and

2009

We summarize the previously published reports and the results of our own research about distribution of ticks parasitizing bats in Poland and Slovakia. Five species of ticks infesting bats were recorded: Carios vespertilionis, Ixodes (E.) vespertilionis, I. (P.) simplex, I. (I.) ricinus and I. (Ex.) trianguliceps. Two last species were observed only on bats in Poland. C. vespertilionis, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex are specific parasites of bats. C. vespertilionis was recorded on 37 sites in Poland and 7 in Slovakia. Fourteen species of bats in Poland and 5 in Slovakia were parasitized by this species. I. vespertilionis was collected from 6 bat species both in Poland and Slovakia respectively on 22 and 11 sites, respectively. The remaining species have been reported very rarely.

New records of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitising on bats in Slovakia

New records of ticks of the family Ixodidae (Ixodes simplex and I. vespertilionis), parasitising on bats in Slovakia, are presented. These records also include evidences of new bat host species for the respective parasites; i.e. Ixodes simplex found on Rhinolophus hipposideros, Ixodes vespertilionis on Nyctalus noctula, Myotis mystacinus, and Pipistrellus cf. pygmaeus. The first record of Ixodes ricinus parasitising on a bat (Rhinolophus euryale) in Slovakia is also reported.

The XXIIIth Congress of the Polish Parasitological Society

2013

The importance of Dermacentor reticulatus stems from its main role in the transmission of Babesia canis, the agent of canine babesiosis. The geographical range of this tick species and consequently, of canine babesiosis, has increased alarmingly in Central Europe during the last decade. Among the many suspected reasons, changes in agricultural practices and the development of habitats favouring ticks (i.e. fallow lands, re-cultivated river valleys) are likely to have played a crucial role in the expansion of the range of D. reticulatus. The old Polish farming custom of burning old grasses/stubble in early spring is now strictly prohibited and almost eradicated. As the first peak of occurrence of marsh ticks is in early spring, this custom was likely to have played an important role in controlling tick populations in the past. Therefore, simple agricultural practices, such as the cutting and removal of grass, may constitute an easy, safe and relatively cheap measures for the control of marsh tick populations. The aim of the present study was to compare tick densities in different habitats (pasture, fallow land, meadow (grass cut and removed 1-2 times a year), post-fire areas) to assess the efficiency of different agricultural practices for the control of tick densities in vicinities close to human habitation. Between September 2011 and June 2013, marsh ticks were collected by dragging in endemic areas of the Mazovia and Warmia-Mazuria regions. In each region, 3 study sites were selected situated near to a surface water source (i.e. pond or canal). At each site, three neighboring habitats of surface 300-600 m 2 were dragged: one on cattle/ horse pasture; the second on a meadow; the third on fallow land, at least twice during each spring and autumn (2 regions×3 sites×3 habitats =18). Additionally, in spring 2013, one post-fire area was discovered in the Mazovia province and flagging was conducted there twice, including-'a control area'-intact fallow land situated on the opposite side of a small river. Tick densities were calculated per 100m 2 and compared by a mutifactiorial ANOVA test. The highest tick densities were recorded on the fallow lands, and the lowest-on the meadows and pastures. Tick densities were considerably higher on the control site in comparison to the post-fire meadow. Some agricultural practices may help to control the tick densities close to human habitation.

Tick parasites of rodents in Romania: host preferences, community structure and geographical distribution

Parasites & vectors, 2012

Background: Ticks are among the most important vectors of zoonotic diseases in temperate regions of Europe, with widespread distribution and high densities, posing an important medical risk. Most ticks feed on a variety of progressively larger hosts, with a large number of small mammal species typically harbouring primarily the immature stages. However, there are certain Ixodidae that characteristically attack micromammals also during their adult stage. Rodents are widespread hosts of ticks, important vectors and competent reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens. Micromammal-tick associations have been poorly studied in Romania, and our manuscript shows the results of a large scale study on tick infestation epidemiology in rodents from Romania.