Role of Zoo-Housed Animals in the Ecology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens-A Review

0554002 - BC 2022 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Hrnkova, J. - Schneiderova, I. - Golovchenko, Maryna - Grubhoffer, Libor - Rudenko, Natalia - Černý, J.
Role of Zoo-Housed Animals in the Ecology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens-A Review.
Pathogens. Roč. 10, č. 2 (2021), č. článku 210. E-ISSN 2076-0817
R&D Projects: GA MZe(CZ) QK1920258
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : Ixodidae * ectoparasites * tick-borne diseases * tick hosts * zoo animals * exotic species * wildlife parks
OECD category: Zoology
Impact factor: 4.531, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/2/210

Ticks are ubiquitous ectoparasites, feeding on representatives of all classes of terrestrial vertebrates and transmitting numerous pathogens of high human and veterinary medical importance. Exotic animals kept in zoological gardens, ranches, wildlife parks or farms may play an important role in the ecology of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), as they may serve as hosts for local tick species. Moreover, they can develop diseases of varying severity after being infected by TBPs, and theoretically, can thus serve as reservoirs, thereby further propagating TBPs in local ecosystems. The definite role of these animals in the tick-host-pathogen network remains poorly investigated. This review provides a summary of the information currently available regarding ticks and TBPs in connection to captive local and exotic wildlife, with an emphasis on zoo-housed species.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0328649