Seasonal dynamics of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, on a confined dog population in Italy

Abstract

This study evaluated the seasonal dynamics of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Acari: Ixodidae) on naturally infested dogs in a private shelter in southern Italy. From March to May 2008, 39 autochthonous mixed-breed young dogs and 10 beagles were enrolled in the study. From March 2008 until March 2009, every 21 +/- 2 days, 11 body sites of each dog were checked for ticks. At each follow-up, the number of ticks, their developmental stage, sex and location on the dog's body were recorded. Adult ticks were found throughout the year, but immatures were absent in January and February. The adult tick population increased from July to August, whereas the load of immatures increased in early July and peaked in September, which suggests that R. sanguineus develops one generation per year in this area. The mean number of immature ticks per infested dog was higher than that of adults from March to October 2008. Ears, interdigital areas and armpits were the most frequent attachment sites of adult ticks. At the last follow-up, a total of 2266 ticks were collected and identified as R. sanguineus. The results suggest that R. sanguineus develops one generation per year in the study area, but that it infests dogs in all seasons. This information should be taken into account when planning control programmes against this tick species and the pathogens it transmits.

Tick-Borne Diseases-Possible Threat to Humans-Dog Interspecie Bond

“…In summer season, ticks infestation is high comparatively due to which the occurrence of tick borne diseases are higher. This finding is supported by many workers that season play key role in occurrence of parasitic diseases (Lorusso et al, 2010;Ahmad et al, 2011;Jalali et al, 2013). The present study was conducted in two districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to the authors knowledge no publish material is available currently about the prevalence of anaplasmosis and canine babesiosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.…”

Seasonal variation in the effect of climate on the biology of Rhipicephalus sanguineus in southern Europe

“…The cosmopolitan distribution of this tick is, in part, favoured by its ability to survive in different ecological contexts and under variable climatic conditions (Dantas-Torres, 2010). Although R. sanguineus is a typical ectoparasite of dogs, it can occasionally parasitize other hosts, including humans (Walker et al 2000;Dantas-Torres, 2008).…”

Rhipicephalus sanguineus on dogs: relationships between attachment sites and tick developmental stages

“…Theoretically, the lower mobility and the shorter feeding period of nymphs on the host as compared with adults make counterproductive for them to lose energy in trying to reach particular areas on the dog's body. Indeed, it has been documented that larvae and nymphs of R. sanguineus are generally more evenly distributed on the host than adults (Koch 1982;Otranto et al 2005;Lorusso et al 2010). Hence, the attachment sites of larvae and nymphs seem to be much more a matter of opportunity than of choice or preference.…”

“…However, most works specifically dedicated to the study of the on-host ecology of R. sanguineus (reviewed in Dantas-Torres 2010) have been focused on parameters such as mean intensity, tick sex ratio and attachment sites (e.g., Koch 1982;Louly et al 2007;Dantas-Torres et al 2009;Tinoco-Gracia et al 2009;Lorusso et al 2010). Indeed, little is known of the interactions between different developmental stages on the dog's body and their possible role on feeding performance, reproduction and pathogen transmission.…”