Biology subjects

Mouchet, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Mouchet, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

German Ixodes inopinatus samples may not actually represent this tick species

Ticks are important vectors of human and animal pathogens, but many questions remain unanswered regarding their taxonomy. Molecular sequencing methods have allowed research to start understanding the evolutionary history of even closely related tick species. Ixodes inopinatus is considered a sister species and highly similar to Ixodes ricinus, an important vector of many tick-borne pathogens in Europe, but identification between these species remains ambiguous with disagreement on the geographic extent of I. inopinatus. In 2018-2019, 1583 ticks were collected from breeding great tits (Parus major) in southern Germany, of which 45 were later morphologically identified as I. inopinatus. We aimed to confirm morphological identification using molecular tools. Utilizing two genetic markers (16S rRNA, TROSPA) (n=37) and whole genome sequencing of specific ticks (n=8), we were able to determine that German samples morphologically identified as I. inopinatus, genetically represent I. ricinus regardless of previous morphological identification and most likely are not I. ricinus/I. inopinatus hybrids. Further, our results showed that the entire mitochondrial genome, let alone singular mitochondrial genes (i.e., 16S), is unable to distinguish between I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. As most examples of I. inopinatus in Germany were based on morphology and mitochondrial sequences, the results of the current study brings into question whether I. inopinatus was properly identified in previous research and if this species exists in Central Europe. Our results highlight the power of utilizing genomic data in answering questions regarding tick taxonomy even when closely related species are considered. HighlightsO_LIGerman Ixodes inopinatus samples represent I. ricinus based on genomic data C_LIO_LIThe mitochondrial genome is not sufficient for delineation of I. inopinatus and I. ricinus C_LIO_LIGerman samples most likely do not represent I. ricinus/I. inopinatus hybrids C_LI

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Tick infestation probability increases with human recreational pressure and exploratory behaviour in wild great tits (Parus major)

Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of various vertebrate hosts, including many species of bird. Birds can disperse ticks over short and long distances, therefore impacting tick population dynamics. The likelihood that birds attract ticks should depend on their behaviour and the environment. We studied various key ecological variables (breeding density, human disturbance) and phenotypic traits (exploratory behaviour; body condition) proposed to predict tick burden in great tits (Parus major). Our study spanned over three years and 12 human-recreated plots, equipped with nest-boxes in southern Germany. Adult breeders were assessed for exploratory behaviour, tick burden, and body condition. For each plot, human disturbance was quantified as a human recreational pressure index during biweekly nest box inspections by scoring the number of recreants using the plots. Infestation probability but not tick burden increased with exploratory behaviour. We also found moderate support for a positive effect of recreational pressure on infestation probability. Further, body condition negatively predicted tick burden. Individuals were repeatable in tick burden across years. Our study implies that infestation probability and tick burden are governed by distinct ecological and phenotypic drivers. Our findings also highlight the importance of incorporating ecological and individual variation in host phenotypes to predict spatiotemporal distributions of ticks in nature. (207/250-word limit) Lay SummaryTicks use many birds as hosts, but why do some individuals have more or fewer ticks? Using a data collected over three years on great tit adults inhabiting 12 different nest-box plots, we showed that more explorative birds and those in highly recreated habitats were more likely to be infested with ticks. Exploratory behaviour and human disturbance could modify great tit habitat choice and, therefore, impact how often a birds and ticks encounter each other.

ecology↗