Metabolic rate and resource depletion in the tick Ixodes ricinus in response to temperature

Abstract

Understanding the effects of temperature on the metabolic activity and the rate of depletion of energy reserves by Ixodes ricinus can represent an important contribution to explaining patterns of tick activity and the likely impacts of environmental change on tick and tick-borne disease risk. Here, a cohort of I. ricinus nymphs, males, and females was collected and placed into incubators at temperatures of between 5 and 30 °C. The protein, carbohydrate, total lipid, neutral lipid, and glycogen levels were measured for nymphs for up to 70 days and adults up to 42 days. In nymphs, at day 0, glycogen was the most abundant metabolite followed by carbohydrate, with relatively low concentrations of protein and lipids. For males, the concentrations of different metabolites were relatively similar. In contrast, for females, concentrations of glycogen and carbohydrate were relatively low compared to those of protein and neutral lipids. Significant exponential declines in metabolite concentrations of all metabolites were detected over time for all life-cycle stages and at all temperatures. Nymphs generally showed lower rates of resource depletion than adults at all temperatures. The lower thresholds for metabolic activity were estimated to be between −10 and −5 °C. The Q10 values, which describe the thermal sensitivity of metabolic rate, were estimated to be relatively low (1.5 for nymphs, 1.71 for males, and 1.63 for females) compared to insects where they are typically around 2.5 (range: 1.5–3), and this is considered to be an adaptation to increase survival during the extended inter-feed intervals.

Climate and the seasonal abundance of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus

“…In the current study, the influence of temperature on survival was also demonstrated with no questing tick activity observed when the 5-day average temperature exceeded 15 ∘ C and D. reticulatus was shown to be able survive cold shock. The lower lethal temperature for this species was estimated to be between −18 and −20 ∘ C. In contrast, the lower lethal temperature of I. ricinus has been shown to be around −10 to −5 ∘ C (Alasmari & Wall, 2021). As a result, of their cold tolerance, the activity of adult D. reticulatus generally begins in late August/September and continues through to April/May (Rubel et al, 2016).…”

“…The lower lethal temperature for this species was estimated to be between −18 and −20 °C. In contrast, the lower lethal temperature of I. ricinus has been shown to be around −10 to −5 °C (Alasmari & Wall, 2021).…”

Climate Changes Exacerbate the Spread of Ixodes ricinus and the Occurrence of Lyme Borreliosis and Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Europe—How Climate Models Are Used as a Risk Assessment Approach for Tick-Borne Diseases

“…The lowest temperatures that permit the metabolic function of I. ricinus are between −5 °C and −10 °C. These temperatures are probably close to the temperatures that permit the tick’s survival [ 48 ].…”

Pitfalls in Tick and Tick-Borne Pathogens Research, Some Recommendations and a Call for Data Sharing

“…This is an effective but time-consuming procedure. The simplest approach is based on the dry weight, preferably in combination with a scutal/dorsal index; this approach has been adequately addressed [11] and morphometric age ratio can also be obtained from living tick specimens.…”