Host-seeking activity of ixodid ticks in relation to weather variables

0164556 - UBO-W 20030130 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Hubálek, Zdeněk - Halouzka, Jiří - Juřicová, Zina
Host-seeking activity of ixodid ticks in relation to weather variables.
Journal of Vector Ecology. Roč. 28, č. 2 (2003), s. 159-165. ISSN 1081-1710. E-ISSN 1948-7134
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/00/1204; GA ČR GA206/03/0726; GA AV ČR IBS6093007
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z6093917
Keywords : Ixodes ricinus * Dermacentor reticulatus
Subject RIV: FN - Epidemiology, Contagious Diseases ; Clinical Immunology
Impact factor: 1.231, year: 2003
http://www.sove.org/Journal%20PDF/December%202003/Hubalek%2002-24.pdf

Ixodid ticks were monitored in a temperate deciduous forest in S. Moravia, Czech Republic. The tick abundance was found to be closely related to the amplitude of the soil (-5 cm) temperature between 07 h and 14 h (TSamp, in Ixodes ricinus), and the soil temperature (TS) at noon (in Haemaphysalis concinna) or in the morning (Dermacentor reticulatus). While a growing TSamp increased host-seeking activity of I. ricinus and H. concinna, it suppressed the activity of D. reticulatus. The air temperature (TA) and relative humidity (RH) were also related to the tick activity, in contrast to rainfall and wind speed. Multiple linear regression on several variables (TSamp, TA, TS, TA-TS, RH) explained 48% of the variance in I. ricinus, 47% in H. concinna, and 38% in D. reticulatus. Predictive two-variable regression models of relative abundance in host-seeking ticks, based on morning TA or TS and morning RH, explained 32% (I. ricinus), 39% (H. concinna), and 35% (D. reticulatus) of the variance.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0061774