Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Seasonal Dynamics of Tick Species in the Ecotone of Parks and Recreational Areas in Middlesex County (New Jersey, USA). |
| Authors: |
González, Julia1 (AUTHOR), Fonseca, Dina M.1 (AUTHOR) dina.fonseca@rutgers.edu, Toledo, Alvaro1 (AUTHOR) dina.fonseca@rutgers.edu |
| Source: |
Insects (2075-4450). Mar2023, Vol. 14 Issue 3, p258. 15p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*TICKS, *RECREATION areas, *IXODES scapularis, *ECOTONES, *DERMACENTOR, *SPECIES |
| Geographic Terms: |
NEW Jersey |
| Abstract: |
Simple Summary: People using forested parks for recreation often spend most time in grassy paths or meadows. These transitional zones are referred to as "ecotones". In this study, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of questing ticks in forest/path and forest/meadow ecotones in five areas in Middlesex County, New Jersey. We found anthropophilic species such as Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis coexisting with Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive tick species first detected in NJ in 2017. Surveillance was conducted weekly from March to November 2020, and collected ticks were identified. The most abundant tick species was H. longicornis. The presence of anthropophilic ticks suggests the need for specific control approaches to target these habitats. In addition, the extraordinarily high numbers of H. longicornis collected in ecotones highlight the importance of monitoring its expansion due to its potential as a vector of animal and human diseases. People often use parks and other forested areas for outdoor activities such as hiking and walking their dogs. Areas of primary use are paths or grassy meadows on the edges of the forests that constitute transitional areas between different plant communities (aka ecotones). In this study, we monitored the seasonal dynamics of questing ticks in forest/meadow and forest/path ecotones in five areas in Middlesex County, New Jersey (NJ). We found anthropophilic species such as Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis coexisting with Haemaphysalis longicornis, an invasive tick species first detected in NJ in 2017. Surveillance was conducted weekly from March to November 2020, and collected ticks were identified. The most abundant tick species was H. longicornis (83%), followed by A. americanum (9%), I. scapularis (7%), and D. variabilis (<1%). The seasonal dynamics of A. americanum and I. scapularis in the ecotone were similar to previous surveys in forest habitats. The presence of anthropophilic ticks, particularly I. scapularis, suggests the need for specific control approaches to target these habitats. In addition, the extraordinarily high numbers of H. longicornis collected in ecotones (1.70 ticks/m2) and frequent reports of this species on dogs highlight the importance of monitoring its expansion due to its potential as a vector of animal and human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Insects (2075-4450) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests. |
Login for full access.
|
