The distribution limit of the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, and some associated pathogens in north-western Europe

Hvidsten, Dag; Frafjord, Karl; Gray, Jeremy; Henningsson, Anna J.; Jenkins, Andrew; Kristiansen, B.; Lager, Malin; Rognerud, B.; Slåtsve, Arne Martin; Stordal, Frøde; Stuen, Snorre; Wilhelmsson, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101388

Cited by 63 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Because the effects of climate change are expected to be stronger at higher latitudes [ 35 ], the increase in altitude expansion is likely to be more pronounced in Scandinavia. In Norway, I. ricinus has undergone a northward range shift similar to that observed in other Scandinavian countries [ 36 – 38 ], with the shift found as far north as 69°N [ 15 ] and considered to be permanently established at 66°N [ 39 ]. It has also expanded upwards in altitude and based on direct and indirect multi-source analysis reported by citizens, hunters, health professionals and veterinarians, has been observed up to 583 m.a.s.l.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

High-elevational occurrence of two tick species, Ixodes ricinus and I. trianguliceps, at their northern distribution range

2021

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Background During the last decades a northward and upward range shift has been observed among many organisms across different taxa. In the northern hemisphere, ticks have been observed to have increased their latitudinal and altitudinal range limit. However, the elevational expansion at its northern distribution range remains largely unstudied. In this study we investigated the altitudinal distribution of the exophilic Ixodes ricinus and endophilic I. trianguliceps on two mountain slopes in Norway by assessing larval infestation rates on bank voles (Myodes glareolus). Methods During 2017 and 2018, 1325 bank voles were captured during the spring, summer and autumn at ten trapping stations ranging from 100 m to 1000 m.a.s.l. in two study areas in southern Norway. We used generalized logistic regression models to estimate the prevalence of infestation of both tick species along gradients of altitude, considering study area, collection year and season, temperature, humidity and altitude interactions as extrinsic variables, and host body mass and sex as intrinsic predictor variables. Results We found that both I. ricinus and I. trianguliceps infested bank voles at altitudes up to 1000 m.a.s.l., which is a substantial increase in altitude compared to previous findings for I. ricinus in this region. The infestation rates declined more rapidly with increasing altitude for I. ricinus compared to I. trianguliceps, indicating that the endophilic ecology of I. trianguliceps may provide shelter from limiting factors tied to altitude. Seasonal effects limited the occurrence of I. ricinus during autumn, but I. trianguliceps was found to infest rodents at all altitudes during all seasons of both years. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the altitudinal distribution of two tick species at their northern distribution range, one with the potential to transmit zoonotic pathogens to both humans and livestock. With warming temperatures predicted to increase, and especially so in the northern regions, the risk of tick-borne infections is likely to become a concern at increasingly higher altitudes in the future.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

High-elevational occurrence of two tick species, Ixodes ricinus and I. trianguliceps, at their northern distribution range

2021

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“…Rather than indicating physiological processes that facilitate bird–tick transmission, greater likelihood of competence in species at low elevations and with large geographical ranges might indicate greater exposure to questing nymphs that would cause infection in birds. Likewise, positive associations between competence and both breeding and wintering latitude could stem from optimal overlap with tick species (Hahn et al., 2016; Hvidsten et al., 2020). Although foraging traits were largely uninformative, positive associations between ground foraging and competence probably also reflect greater tick exposure (Loss et al., 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The macroecology and evolution of avian competence forBorrelia burgdorferi

Becker

Han

2021

Global Ecol. Biogeogr.

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Aim Prediction of novel reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens would be improved by the identification of interspecific drivers of host competence (i.e., the ability to transmit pathogens to new hosts or vectors). Tick‐borne pathogens can provide a useful model system, because larvae become infected only when feeding on a competent host during their first blood meal. For tick‐borne diseases, competence has been studied best for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), which causes Lyme borreliosis. Major reservoirs include several small mammal species, but birds might play an under‐recognized role in human risk given their ability to disperse infected ticks across large spatial scales. Here, we provide a global synthesis of the ecological and evolutionary factors that determine the ability of bird species to infect larval ticks with Bbsl. Location Global. Time period 1983–2019. Major taxa studied Birds. Methods We compiled a dataset of Bbsl competence across 183 bird species and applied meta‐analysis, phylogenetic factorization and boosted regression trees to describe spatial and temporal patterns in competence, characterize its phylogenetic distribution across birds, reconstruct its evolution and evaluate the trait profiles associated with competent avian species. Results Half of the sampled bird species show evidence of competence for Bbsl. Competence displays moderate phylogenetic signal, has evolved multiple times across bird species and is pronounced in the genus Turdus. Trait‐based analyses distinguished competent birds with 80% accuracy and showed that such species have low baseline corticosterone, exist on both ends of the pace‐of‐life continuum, breed and winter at high latitudes and have broad migratory movements into their breeding range. We used these trait profiles to predict various likely but unsampled competent species, including novel concentrations of avian reservoirs within the Neotropics. Main conclusion Our results can generate new hypotheses for how birds contribute to the dynamics of tick‐borne pathogens and help to prioritize surveillance of likely but unsampled competent birds. Our findings also emphasize that birds display under‐recognized variation in their contributions to enzootic cycles of Bbsl and the broader need to consider competence in ecological and predictive studies of multi‐host pathogens.

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“…Several Nordic studies on ticks and TBDs have shown that I. ricinus has changed its distribution in recent decennia [ 20 , 45 , 57 , 58 ], with a northward migration of approximately 400 km within the past 20–30 years in Norway [ 58 , 59 ], up to 150–250 km north of the Arctic Circle, though with a sparser presence north of 65° N [ 60 , 61 ]. A recent study by Hvidsten et al [ 45 ] found that the northernmost permanent I. ricinus population was located at 66.22° N at the coast, although this study did not have national coverage and used only one method (flagging) with low efficiency, and cannot therefore be used to verify presence or absence [ 32 ]. Nevertheless, the study suggests presence at a high latitude, and the range expansion indicated in the area of 69° N (northern tip of Sweden) is in line with the distributional limit predicted previously [ 20 , 28 , 31 ].…”

Section: What Does a Changing Climate Mean For Ticks And Csis?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the presence of ticks and the risk of TBDs are two different issues. The study by Hvidsten et al [ 45 ] underlined this by investigating the prevalence of Borrelia spp. in the northernmost population of I. ricinus , having found a low prevalence of about 1–15%, compared to 15–27% in more southern Trøndelag populations.…”

Section: What Does a Changing Climate Mean For Ticks And Csis?mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mini-Review of Ixodes Ticks Climate Sensitive Infection Dispersion Risk in the Nordic Region

Oort

Hovelsrud

Risvoll

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Climate change in the Nordic countries is projected to lead to both wetter and warmer seasons. This, in combination with associated vegetation changes and increased animal migration, increases the potential incidence of tick-borne diseases (TBD) where already occurring, and emergence in new places. At the same time, vegetation and animal management influence tick habitat and transmission risks. In this paper, we review the literature on Ixodes ricinus, the primary vector for TBD. Current and projected distribution changes and associated disease transmission risks are related to climate constraints and climate change, and this risk is discussed in the specific context of reindeer management. Our results indicate that climatic limitations for vectors and hosts, and environmental and societal/institutional conditions will have a significant role in determining the spreading of climate-sensitive infections (CSIs) under a changing climate. Management emerges as an important regulatory “tool” for tick and/or risk for disease transfer. In particular, shrub encroachment, and pasture and animal management, are important. The results underscore the need to take a seasonal view of TBD risks, such as (1) grazing and migratory (host) animal presence, (2) tick (vector) activity, (3) climate and vegetation, and (4) land and animal management, which all have seasonal cycles that may or may not coincide with different consequences of climate change on CSI migration. We conclude that risk management must be coordinated across the regions, and with other land-use management plans related to climate mitigation or food production to understand and address the changes in CSI risks.

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The distribution limit of the common tick, Ixodes ricinus, and some associated pathogens in north-western Europe

Cited by 63 publications

References 37 publications

High-elevational occurrence of two tick species, Ixodes ricinus and I. trianguliceps, at their northern distribution range

High-elevational occurrence of two tick species, Ixodes ricinus and I. trianguliceps, at their northern distribution range

The macroecology and evolution of avian competence forBorrelia burgdorferi

A Mini-Review of Ixodes Ticks Climate Sensitive Infection Dispersion Risk in the Nordic Region

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