Quantitative models of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) ticks: historical review and synthesis

Abstract

Abstract. Several tick species, in what is now known as the subgenus Boophilus in the genusRhipicephalus, are economically important ectoparasites of livestock and other ungulates; as vectors of pathogens that kill cattle, they remain among the most studied ticks in the world. Researchers have developed quantitative computer models of Rhipicephalus ticks since the early 1970s to study complex biological and ecological relationships that influence management or eradication of ticks and tick-borne diseases. We review the 45-yr history of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) models, which were developed and applied first in Australia, 10 yr later in North and South America, then soon after in Africa. Models progressed from analytical models of a portion of tick life cycles, to simulation models of complete life cycles or ecoclimatic indices, to the current emphasis on GIS-based bioclimatic envelope models estimated from remotely sensed data and tick presence records. Earlier models were used primarily to predict effects of management techniques, such as use of sterile hybrid ticks, pasture rotation, acaricides, vaccines, and resistant cattle, while more recent models have been used to predict the potential for range expansion, especially due to global climate change and wildlife hosts, as well as in the face of competition with other tick species. We summarize characteristics of these models and compare those of population dynamics and bioclimatic envelope models. We discuss the past and present utility of these models and provide a perspective on future Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) modeling efforts.

Visceral leishmaniasis on the Indian Subcontinent: Efficacy of fipronil-based cattle treatment in controlling sand fly populations is dependent on specific aspects of sand fly ecology

“…In conclusion, we would suggest that uncovering additional ecological uncertainties relating to locations of oviposition sites would aid in further parameterizing the model and the development of supplemental control methods [74]. The results of our simulations suggest that this model may aid in predicting the outcome of fipronil cattle treatment under a variety of ecological scenarios representative of the villages in Bihar, which could potentially contribute to the planning and execution of a largescale field trial.…”

Enhanced biosurveillance of high-consequence invasive pests: southern cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, on livestock and wildlife

“…Our model is the first attempt to meet this knowledge gap by simulating relationships among nilgai, cattle and WTD. Other spatially-explicit, individual- or agent-based models simulating relationships among climate, landscape, hosts, and ticks include those of Estrada-Peña et al [ 28 ] and Wang et al [ 14 , 31 – 33 ], which are reviewed by Wang et al [ 26 ]. Only those of Estrada-Peña et al [ 28 ] and Wang et al [ 14 ] were focused on SCFT and included WTD as an alternate host.…”

“…Simulation models that explicitly represent key processes by which control methods intervene in the life-cycles of target species are gaining recognition as being uniquely suited for a priori assessments of novel eradication schemes targeted at specific aspects of a vector’s life-cycle [ 25 ]. SCFT have been the subject of a wide variety of quantitative models, which have been focused on questions dealing with both basic biology and management on four continents [ 26 ]. However, relatively few models have included explicit representation of wildlife hosts [ 14 , 27 , 28 ], and none have included nilgai.…”

Effects of Drought and Media-Reported Violence on Cattle Fever Tick Incursions

“…Similar to climate, human directed ecosystem changes can lead to instability and changes in tick habitation and pest pressure. Ecosystem changes include land use, urbanization and urban encroachment of habitats, habitat fragmentation, land divisions, changes in vegetation, along with many other human directed causes (5,21). In addition to the changes in tick habitats, human directed ecosystem changes can also drive CFT host movements.…”