An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe

Casey L. L. Taylor; Siobhon L. L. Egan; Alexander W. W. Gofton; Peter J. J. Irwin; Charlotte L. L. Oskam; Dieter F. F. Hochuli; Peter B. B. Banks

doi:10.1111/mve.12643

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An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe

Casey L. L. Taylor, Siobhon L. L. Egan, Alexander W. W. Gofton, Peter J. J. Irwin, Charlotte L. L. Oskam, Dieter F. F. Hochuli and Peter B. B. Banks

Medical and veterinary entomology, Vol.37(3), pp.460-471

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12643

PMID: 36718907

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Abstract

hosts

Ixodes holocyclus

mammals

ticks

urban

vector

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are major disease vectors globally making it increasingly important to understand how altered vertebrate communities in urban areas shape tick population dynamics. In urban landscapes of Australia, little is known about which native and introduced small mammals maintain tick populations preventing host-targeted tick management and leading to human-wildlife conflict. Here, we determined (1) larval, nymphal, and adult tick burdens on host species and potential drivers, (2) the number of ticks supported by the different host populations, and (3) the proportion of medically significant tick species feeding on the different host species in Northern Sydney. We counted 3551 ticks on 241 mammals at 15 sites and found that long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) hosted more ticks of all life stages than other small mammals but introduced black rats (Rattus rattus) were more abundant at most sites (33%-100%) and therefore important in supporting larval and nymphal ticks in our study areas. Black rats and bandicoots hosted a greater proportion of medically significant tick species including Ixodes holocyclus than other hosts. Our results show that an introduced human commensal contributes to maintaining urban tick populations and suggests ticks could be managed by controlling rat populations on urban fringes.

Details

Title: An invasive human commensal and a native marsupial maintain tick populations at the urban fringe
Authors/Creators: Casey L. L. Taylor - The University of Sydney
Siobhon L. L. Egan - Murdoch University
Alexander W. W. Gofton - CSIRO Health and Biosecurity
Peter J. J. Irwin - Murdoch University
Charlotte L. L. Oskam - Murdoch University
Dieter F. F. Hochuli - The University of Sydney
Peter B. B. Banks - The University of Sydney
Publication Details: Medical and veterinary entomology, Vol.37(3), pp.460-471
Publisher: Wiley
Number of pages: 12
Grant note: Higher Degree Research scholarship-Northern Beaches Council Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment Paddy Pallin Science Grant LP160100200 / Australian Research Council
Identifiers: 991005578625307891
Murdoch Affiliation: College of Environmental and Life Sciences; Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine; Harry Butler Institute; School of Veterinary Medicine; Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.258 Zoonotic Diseases; 1.258.227 Tick-borne Pathogens
Web Of Science research areas: Entomology; Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science