The effects of sampling method and vegetation type on the estimated abundance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ixodes ricinus</Emphasis> ticks in forests |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Wesley?TackEmail author Maxime?Madder Pieter?De?Frenne Margot?Vanhellemont Robert?Gruwez Kris?Verheyen |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Forestry, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090 Melle-Gontrode, Belgium;(2) Department of Animal Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Estimating the spatial and temporal variation in tick abundance is of great economical and ecological importance. Entire-blanket
dragging is the most widely used method to sample free-living ixodid ticks. However, this technique is not equally efficient
in different vegetation types. The height and structure of the vegetation under study will not only determine the likelihood
of a tick-blanket contact, but will also determine the rate of dislodgement. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine
whether the alternative strip-blanket is more effectively in picking up ticks than the standard entire-blanket. Sampling was
carried out in four forest understory vegetation types that differed in height and structure on five collection dates between
April and September 2008. A total of 8,068 Ixodes ricinus ticks was collected (778 adults, 1,920 nymphs, and 5,370 larvae). The highest numbers of ticks were collected along the forest
trails, where the dominant vegetation consisted of short grasses. The lowest numbers of ticks were collected in bracken-fern-dominated
sites, where the vegetation seriously hampered tick sampling. Surprisingly, in each vegetation type, significantly more nymphs
and adults were collected using the entire-blanket. However, the strip-blanket was more effectively in collecting larvae,
especially in dense and tall vegetation. |
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