Buczek Alicja, Zając Zbigniew, Woźniak Aneta, Kulina Dorota, Bartosik Katarzyna
Chair and Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
Department of Basic Nursing and Medical Teaching, Medical University, Lublin, Poland.
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2017 May 11;24(2):271-275. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1230736.
[b] Abstract Introduction and objective[/b]. Expansion into new areas and the great epidemiological significance of the D. reticulatus tick in Europe prompts investigations of its ethology. Therefore, the locomotor activity of D. reticulatus adult stages in an optimal habitat during the spring and autumn activity periods was analysed. [b]Materials and method[/b]. Marked D. reticulatus adults were placed at the central point of each experimental plot. At regular time intervals, specimens attached to the cloth used in the flagging method were collected, and the distance covered by the ticks was measured. In each collection round, the temperature and humidity level in the habitat was also measured. [b]Results.[/b] Within 7 weeks, adult D. reticulatus ticks can cover an average distance of 60.71±44 cm. The locomotor activity of adult stages is greater during the spring than the autumn activity period. Questing, females cover a greater distance (66.35±100 cm) than male ticks (54.85±45 cm). Adult stages are characterised by greater aggressiveness 24 hours after being released, i.e. 30% of females and 19% of males attempt to attach to host skin. The locomotor activity in adult ticks depends on the humidity of the habitat (Z=-1.198; p=0.050). The temperature does not affect tick walking. [b]Conclusions[/b]. Given the low rates of horizontal locomotion of adult D. reticulatus ticks, the prevalence of the species in nature is determined by the presence of their hosts and humidity conditions ensuring their further development and survival. The dependence of D. reticulatus locomotor activity and aggressiveness on the humidity level implies an increased risk of host attacks in locations and periods that offer favourable humidity conditions for this species.
摘要 引言与目的。在欧洲，血红扇头蜱向新区域的扩散及其重大的流行病学意义促使人们对其行为学展开研究。因此，对血红扇头蜱成虫在春秋活动期于最佳栖息地的运动活性进行了分析。
材料与方法。将做了标记的血红扇头蜱成虫放置在每个实验地块的中心点。每隔一定时间间隔，收集用拖旗法所用布片上附着的标本，并测量蜱移动的距离。在每次采集回合中，还测量栖息地的温度和湿度水平。
结果。在7周内，血红扇头蜱成虫平均能移动60.71±44厘米的距离。成虫阶段在春季的运动活性高于秋季活动期。在搜寻过程中，雌蜱移动的距离（66.35±100厘米）比雄蜱（54.85±45厘米）更远。成虫阶段在被释放24小时后表现出更强的攻击性，即30%的雌蜱和19%的雄蜱试图附着在宿主皮肤上。成年蜱的运动活性取决于栖息地的湿度（Z=-1.198；p=0.050）。温度不影响蜱的行走。
结论。鉴于血红扇头蜱成虫水平移动速度较低，该物种在自然界中的流行程度取决于其宿主的存在以及确保其进一步发育和生存的湿度条件。血红扇头蜱的运动活性和攻击性对湿度水平的依赖性意味着，在为该物种提供适宜湿度条件的地点和时期，宿主遭受攻击的风险增加。
