The hard-tick fauna of mainland Portugal (Acari: Ixodidae): an update on geographical distribution and known associations with hosts and pathogens

This work is an updated revision of the available information on Portuguese ixodid tick species. It includes data on tick biology, ecology, taxonomy and host/pathogen-associations. The current list of Portuguese ixodid ticks comprises twenty species: Dermacentor marginatus (Sulzer, 1776), Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794), Haemaphysalis hispanica Gil Collado, 1938, Haemaphysalis inermis Birula, 1895, Haemaphysalis punctata Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878, Hyalomma lusitanicum Koch, 1844, Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844, Ixodes acuminatus Neumann, 1901, Ixodes bivari Dias, 1990, Ixodes canisuga Johnston, 1849, Ixodes frontalis (Panzer, 1798), Ixodes hexagonus Leach, 1815, Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758), Ixodes simplex Neumann, 1906, Ixodes ventalloi Gil Collado, 1936, Ixodes vespertilionis Koch, 1844, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say, 1821), Rhipicephalus bursa Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878, Rhipicephalus pusillus Gil Collado, 1938, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806).     

Helminth parasites of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and sympatric carnivores

Five critically endangered Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus) and 35 other sympatric carnivores (19 feral cats Felis catus, 12 Egyptian mongooses Herpestes ichneumon, and 4 common genets Genetta genetta) were analysed for helminths in Sierra Morena and Do?ana area (southern Spain). Ancylostoma tubaeforme, which was believed to be harmful for lynx cubs according to a previous study, was present in the only lynx and in 53% of cats analysed in Do?ana (80% in adult cats). Other species shared in both areas were Toxocara cati (1 lynx, 31% of cats), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (1 lynx, 21% of cats) and Mesocestoides sp. (2 lynxes, 5% of cats). Only one mongoose was parasitized, harbouring larvae of two acantocephalan species not previously reported in the Iberian peninsula (Centrorhynchus (Sphaerirostris) lancea and Centrorhynchus (Longirostris) undulatus). Feral cats may be a reservoir for hookworms and other helminths affecting the Iberian lynx. In contrast, mongooses and genets may not play a role in the epidemiology of these species.     

Ectoparasites of the island fox on Santa Cruz Island

The ectoparasite fauna for island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) on Santa Cruz Island (California, USA) in April (wet season) and September (dry season) 1998 was evaluated. Three taxa of ectoparasites were identified. These were fleas (Pulex irritans), lice (Neotrichodectes mephitidis), and ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Ectoparasite abundances varied seasonally. Typical of insular endemic species, island foxes may be especially vulnerable to the introduction of novel disease organisms and their vectors.     

Niche relations among three sympatric Mediterranean carnivores

Previous studies carried out in the Doñana National Park reported that red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were killed by Iberian lynxes (Lynx pardinus), whereas similar-sized Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) were not. Therefore, we predicted that fox would avoid lynx predation risk by niche segregation whereas we did not expect such a segregation between badger and lynx. As an approach for evaluating our predictions, we compared their diet, activity patterns, and habitat use in an area of Doñana where the three carnivores are sympatric. Lynxes preyed almost uniquely on European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and though badgers and foxes were omnivorous, rabbits also were a major prey, resulting in high overlaps throughout the year. However, badgers preyed largely on small rabbits, whereas lynxes and foxes preyed mainly on medium-sized rabbits. There were also interspecific differences in activity patterns. Maximum levels of activity among lynxes were during sunrise and dusk (49–67%). Foxes were most active during dusk and night (34–67%), and badgers were mainly nocturnal (53–87%). Though there were seasonal differences in the amount of activity of each species, specific activity patterns changed little throughout the year. There was a strong difference in annual habitat use by the three species (P?MAX) and the resting (P_MIN) periods. During P_MIN, foxes used the Mediterranean scrubland intensively (40% of locations on average), but during P_MAX, they used the pastureland much more intensively despite this habitat being poorer in their main prey (rabbits). As a consequence, foxes and lynxes exhibited segregation in their habitat use during the active period. Badgers also used the Mediterranean scrubland intensively, especially during P_MIN. There were no seasonal differences in habitat use for lynx and fox, but there was for badgers (P?相似文献   

Responses of a top and a meso predator and their prey to moon phases

We compared movement patterns and rhythms of activity of a top predator, the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, a mesopredator, the red fox Vulpes vulpes, and their shared principal prey, the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, in relation to moon phases. Because the three species are mostly nocturnal and crepuscular, we hypothesized that the shared prey would reduce its activity at most risky moon phases (i.e. during the brightest nights), but that fox, an intraguild prey of lynx, would avoid lynx activity peaks at the same time. Rabbits generally moved further from their core areas on darkest nights (i.e. new moon), using direct movements which minimize predation risk. Though rabbits responded to the increased predation risk by reducing their activity during the full moon, this response may require several days, and the moon effect we observed on the rabbits had, therefore, a temporal gap. Lynx activity patterns may be at least partially mirroring rabbit activity: around new moons, when rabbits moved furthest and were more active, lynxes reduced their travelling distances and their movements were concentrated in the core areas of their home ranges, which generally correspond to areas of high density of rabbits. Red foxes were more active during the darkest nights, when both the conditions for rabbit hunting were the best and lynxes moved less. On the one hand, foxes increased their activity when rabbits were further from their core areas and moved with more discrete displacements; on the other hand, fox activity in relation to the moon seemed to reduce dangerous encounters with its intraguild predator.     

Detection and identification of Bartonella sp. in fleas from carnivorous mammals in Andalusia,Spain

A total of 559 fleas representing four species (Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis and Spilopsyllus cuniculi) collected on carnivores (five Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, six European wildcat Felis silvestris, 10 common genet Genetta genetta, three Eurasian badger Meles meles, 22 red fox Vulpes vulpes, 87 dogs and 23 cats) in Andalusia, southern Spain, were distributed in 156 pools of monospecific flea from each carnivore, and tested for Bartonella infection in an assay based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16 S–23 S rRNA intergenic spacer region. Twenty‐one samples (13.5%) were positive and the sequence data showed the presence of four different Bartonella species. Bartonella henselae was detected in nine pools of Ctenocephalides felis from cats and dogs and in three pools of Ctenocephalides canis from cats; Bartonella clarridgeiae in Ctenocephalides felis from a cat, and Bartonella alsatica in Spilopsyllus cuniculi from a wildcat. DNA of Bartonella sp., closely related to Bartonella rochalimae, was found in seven pools of Pulex irritans from foxes. This is the first detection of B. alsatica and Bartonella sp. in the Iberian Peninsula. All of these Bartonella species have been implicated as agents of human diseases. The present survey confirms that carnivores are major reservoirs for Bartonella spp.     

First report of the dog louse fly Hippobosca longipennis in Romania

Hippobosca longipennis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), the dog fly or dog louse fly, is an obligate blood‐feeding ectoparasite of wild and domestic carnivores in Africa and the Middle East. Outside its typically known geographic range, H. longipennis has been reported occasionally on mainly domestic dogs in Asia and southern Europe, and infrequently in other areas (central Europe and the U.S.A.). This paper presents the first report of H. longipennis in Romania and the second record of Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), a potentially invasive species. Hippobosca longipennis was found on domestic dogs in two regions of the country (northern Romania in Maramures and southwestern Romania in Dobrogea) and on two road‐killed wildcats in Maramures. Lipoptena fortisetosa was found on domestic dogs in Maramures. In both species identification was based on morphology and confirmed by barcoding of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. It is not clear for how long H. longipennis has been present in central Europe, nor if it was introduced (via the movement of domestic dogs or import of exotic carnivores) or present historically (Holocene remnants). This paper discusses the possible origins of H. longipennis in central Europe as its current distribution in the area is sparse and patchy.     

Estimation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) population in the Do?ana area, SW Spain, using capture�Crecapture analysis of camera-trapping data

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has a highly restricted geographic distribution, limited even within the Iberian Peninsula. The last national survey reported less than 200 remaining individuals, distributed in two isolated areas??Andújar-Cardeña and Doñana??and in consequence, the Iberian lynx was listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as ??Critically Endangered??. In this study, we estimate the Iberian lynx population size in the Doñana area using capture?Crecapture analysis of camera-trapping data. A model with different capture probability for each individual (M_h) yielded an estimate of 26 Iberian lynxes (SE?=?5.26) more than 1 year old. It is considered that a small slant in the estimation of the number of individuals could exist due to the presence of dispersers inside the study area that were not detected. Our study shows: (1) a reduction in number since the 1980s (45 individuals), and falling below the theoretical threshold of genetic viability, (2) changes in the species?? spatial distribution in this area, and (3) as for other carnivore species, photographic capture?Crecapture methods are applicable for estimating the size of Iberian lynx populations     

Prevalence of keds on city dogs in central Poland

The aim of this study was to identify the species of ked infesting dogs in the cities of central Poland. A total of 510 dogs were observed between June and September 2015. The presence of keds was noted in 182 (35.7%) animals. Keds were more prevalent in female (38.0%) than in male (33.2%) dogs, and were more frequently found in animals younger than 1 year (46.2%) and in long‐haired dogs (36.6%). The body areas most heavily colonized by keds were the groin (35.4%) and neck (21.4%). A total of 904 keds were isolated from dogs, including Hippobosca equina (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) (17.2%), Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) (32.0%), and two species not previously encountered in Poland: Hippobosca longipennis (45.0%) and Lipoptena fortisetosa (5.9%). Hippoboscidae may act as vectors of pathogens and any shifts in their geographic range may lead to the spread of new diseases affecting animals.     

Ectoparasites of the Irish stoat

A sample of 196 Irish stoats Mustela ermineae hibernica Thomas & Barrett-Hamilton (Carnivora: Mustelidae) were examined and yielded 2580 arthropod ectoparasites, including 1819 larval mites Neotrombicula autumnalis (Shaw) from a single host. Other ectoparasites recovered included lice (99% Trichodectes ermineae (Hopkins], ticks (mostly Ixodes hexagonus Leach) and four species of fleas. The ticks and fleas were considered to have come mainly from nests of other hosts. The flea species did not reflect the status of their usual hosts in the diet of stoats, but did reflect the stoats' use of their usual hosts' habitat.     

Ectoparasites (sucking lice,fleas and ticks) of small mammals in southeastern Kenya

During 1998–2000, at least 14 species (n = 309) of small mammals were live‐trapped and examined for ectoparasites in moist forests of the Taita and Shimba Hills and drier savannah habitats of Nguruman, southeastern Kenya. Ectoparasites were recorded from 11 species of mammals. Five species of sucking lice [Hoplopleura inexpectans Johnson, H. intermedia Kellogg & Ferris, Polyplax reclinata (Nitzsch), P. waterstoni Bedford and Schizophthirus graphiuri Ferris], six species of fleas (Ctenophthalmus leptodactylous Hubbard, Dinopsyllus grypurus Jordan & Rothschild, D. lypusus Jordan & Rothschild, Hypsophthalmus campestris Jordan & Rothschild, Listropsylla basilewskyi Smit and Xiphiopsylla lippa Jordan) and at least six species of ticks (Amblyomma sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Ixodes sp., I. alluaudi Neumann, I. cumulatimpunctatus Schulze, I. muniensis Arthur & Burrow and Rhipicephalus sp.) were recorded from these hosts. Four of the five species of sucking lice were host specific whereas P. reclinata was recorded from two different species of white‐toothed shrews, Crocidura spp. Although fleas and ticks were less host specific, C. leptodactylous, D. grypurus and I. cumulatimpunctatus were only recorded from the murid rodent Praomys delectorum (Thomas), Amblyomma sp. was only recorded from the nesomyid rodent Beamys hindei Thomas, Rhipicephalus sp. was only recorded from the murid Lemniscomys striatus (L.) and I. muniensis was only recorded from the dormouse Graphiurus microtis (Noack). More species of ectoparasites and significantly greater infestation prevalences were recorded from small mammals in moist habitats compared with those from the savannah habitat. At least one of the fleas recorded, D. lypusus, is a known vector of Yersinia pestis Lehmann & Neumann, the causative agent of plague, which is present in the region.     

Evaluation of Camera Trapping for Estimating Red Fox Abundance

ABSTRACT The nature reserve Serra da Malcata, Portugal, was recently considered a site for Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) reintroduction. Because of potential disease risk posed by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the area, a reliable estimate of fox abundance was critical for a dependable reintroduction program. We adapted camera-trapping techniques for estimating red fox abundance in the reserve. From July 2005 to August 2007, we conducted 7 camera-trapping sessions, allowing for individual identification of foxes by physical characteristics. We estimated abundance using the heterogeneity (M_h) model of the software program CAPTURE. Estimated density ranged from 0.91 ± 0.12 foxes/km²to 0.74 ± 0.02 foxes/km². By estimating red fox density, it is possible to define the number of foxes that must be sampled to assess the presence of potential fox-transmitted diseases that may affect lynx reintroduction.     

Ectoparasites of northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae) from the Canadian Arctic

We studied the prevalence and intensity of infestation of ectoparasites on northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis L.) from a breeding colony in Arctic Canada in June–August 2003. No fleas or ticks were found on any fulmars, but three species of chewing lice (Phthiraptera) were recorded: Ischnocera: Perineus nigrolimbatus (Giebel 1874), Ischnocera: Saemundssonia occidentalis (Kellogg 1896), and Amblycera: Ancistrona vagelli (Fabricius 1787). Non-breeding birds had a higher prevalence of lice than breeding birds, and prevalence varied markedly among louse species. Our study is an important baseline for the occurrence of ectoparasites on northern fulmars in the high Arctic, a region undergoing extensive environmental change due to global warming, and an area where parasites are expected to extend ranges or increase in prevalence under changing annual temperature regimes.     

Prevalence of ectoparasitic arthropods on wild animals and cattle in the Las Merindades area (Burgos, Spain)

This paper reports the prevalence of ectoparasitic arthropods in sampled groups of wild (n = 128; 16 species) and domestic (n = 69; 3 species) animals in the Las Merindades area of the Province of Burgos, Spain. The study revealed that wild animals were more infested and with a wider variety of ectoparasites than domestic animals. The parasitic prevalence was 67% for wild animals and 48% for livestock. In this way, 39% of animals were infected by ticks. Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus were the most prevalent species whereas Dermacentor reticulatus showed affinity for the fox and wolf. The overall prevalence of parasitisation by fleas was 27%. Ctenophthalmus spp. showed the wider range host in wild animals, while Pulex irritans was the most frequent specie found. The parasitic prevalences by lice (Trichodectes melis, Trichodectes canis and Trichodectes mustelae) and by mite (Neotrombicula spp., Laelaps agilis and Sarcoptes scabiei) were 4% and 12%, respectively. In both cases only wild animals were found parasited.     

Parasite island syndromes in the context of nidicolous ectoparasites: Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) in wild passerine birds from Azores Archipelago

Island syndrome, previously established for isolation process of insular vertebrates' populations, have been adapted to insular parasites communities, termed parasite island syndromes. In this work, were studied for the first time the insular syndromes for nidicolous ectoparasites of the bird species, Turdus merula, Sylvia atricapilla, Fringilla coelebs and Erithacus rubecula from Azores and the mainland Portugal. Flea species were only recorded on Azorean birds, namely Dasypsyllus gallinulae and Ctenocephalides felis felis, known as not host-specific parasites. In the absence of shared flea species between mainland and islands birds, a comparison among our fleas prevalence to Azores Islands and mainland fleas prevalence, recorded to others European studies, showed that Azorean host populations undergo higher prevalence than the mainland one. This result was consistent with parasite island syndromes predictions recorded to ectoparasites, hippoboscid flies and chewing lice, that fleas have higher prevalence on the Azores Islands compared to mainland Portugal. However, our results provide a new perspective to parasite island syndromes assumptions, namely in the context of nidicolous ectoparasites that spend only brief periods on the hosts' body.     

Associations between Trichinella species and host species in Finland

Examination of 627 wild animals--raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), European lynxes (Lynx lynx), brown bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), and badgers (Meles meles)--revealed Trichinella spp. The prevalence varied according to geographical region of Finland (north; southwest, SW; and southeast, SE) and was the highest among lynxes (70%, SW). The risk of trichinellosis was higher in the SE (odds ratio, OR, 19.4) and SW regions (OR 14.3), as compared with the northern region (OR 1), with no difference between the former 2 regions. Foxes (OR 2.1) and lynxes (OR 1.9) had a higher risk than raccoon dogs (OR 1) of being infected. The distribution of different Trichinella species was evaluated in 87 wild and domestic mammals by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Trichinella spiralis was detected more often in domestic and synanthropic animals than in sylvatic hosts. Trichinella nativa was detected only in wildlife. Trichinella pseudospiralis was found both in sylvatic and synanthropic hosts. Trichinella britovi was detected only in mixed infections with other Trichinella species. The raccoon dog was the sole host for all 4 Trichinella species and also carried the most intense infections.     

Ectoparasites in urban stray cats in Jerusalem,Israel: differences in infestation patterns of fleas,ticks and permanent ectoparasites

In a period cross‐sectional study performed to examine ectoparasites on 340 stray cats in Jerusalem, Israel, 186 (54.7%) were infested with the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 49 (14.4%) with the cat louse, Felicola subrostratus (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae), 41 (12.0%) with the ear mite, Otodectes cynotis (Astigmata: Psoroptidae), three (0.9%) with the fur mite, Cheyletiella blakei (Trobidiformes: Cheyletidae), two (0.6%) with the itch mite Notoedres cati (Astigmata: Sarcoptidae), and 25 (7.3%) with ticks of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae), Rhipicephalus turanicus or Haemaphysalis adleri (Ixodida: Ixodidae). A higher number of flea infestations was observed in apparently sick cats (P < 0.05) and in cats aged < 6 months (P < 0.05). The proportion of flea‐infested cats (P < 0.01), as well as the number of fleas per infested cat (P < 0.01), was higher in autumn than in other seasons. By contrast with findings in cats with flea infestations, rates of infestation with ticks were higher amongst cats with clinical signs (P < 0.01) and cats aged ≥ 6 months (P < 0.05). The high rates of ectoparasite infestation in the cats studied constitute a risk for the spread of vector‐borne infections of zoonotic and veterinary importance.     

Bartonella henselae in eastern Poland: the relationship between tick infection rates and the serological response of individuals occupationally exposed to tick bites

To explore the potential role of Ixodes ricinus as the presumed vector of Bartonella henselae in eastern Poland, ticks collected in various geographic locations were examined for the presence of B. henselae, and the results were matched against the prevalence of anti‐B. henselae antibodies in individuals occupationally exposed to tick bites. The presence of Bartonella DNA was investigated by PCR in a total of 1,603 unfed Ixodes ricinus ticks. The presence of IgG antibodies against B. henselae was investigated in serum samples from 332 people occupationally exposed to tick bites (94 farmers and 238 forestry workers). The total prevalence of B. henselae in ticks was 1.7%; the infection rates in males (3.1%) and females (2.7%) were nearly ten times greater than in nymphs (0.3%). The prevalence of seropositive results in the risk group (30.4%), farmers (27.7%) and forestry workers (31.5%), was significantly greater compared to the control group (8.9%). The results showed a weak positive correlation between the degree of infection of ticks and humans living in the same geographic region. The lack of a direct relationship indicates that exposure to tick bites is only one of the factors contributing to the significant preponderance of a seropositive response to B. henselae in the forestry workers and farmers over the control group. Other factors must be considered, such as contact with cats, which are popular domestic animals in Polish villages, and exposure to cat fleas.     

Predators of the tickAmblyomma variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae) in Guadeloupe,French West indies

Some vertebrate species in Guadeloupe are predators of free or parasitic stages ofAmblyomma variegatum (Fabricius). Among birds, 1.9% of the 421 identified animals found in the stomachs of grackles (Quiscalus lugubris), 1.6% of the 364 animals found in the stomachs of free-ranging chickens, and 0.3% of the 4642 animals found in the stomach of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) wereA. variegatum ticks. The most efficient predator of ticks was the tropical fire ant,Solenopsis geminata, which was observed to only attack engorged stages of ticks. An average of 8% of the 564 individual ticks or batch of ticks released on the ground, mainly in a grass environment, were attacked by this ant species. Mice (Mus musculus) and mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) feed on engorged nymphs and female ticks. None of the 15 strains of entomophagous nematodes, generaSteinernema andHeterorhabditis, experimentally put in contact with engorged larvae and nymphs were able to parasitize them. In the laboratory, the insectsMegaselia scalaris (Diptera) andTineola sp. (Lepidoptera) were occasionally found to feed on engorged and unfed ticks, respectively.