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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.26.728002

A mark-release-recapture approach to characterize tick questing preferences and dispersal distance.

Gobran, S.·Brisnehan, J.·Wegryn, J.·Hemming-Schroeder, E.
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Abstract

O_LIStudying tick behavior is crucial for understanding how climate, disturbances, and land-use changes shape tick populations and tick-borne disease risk. Mark-release-recapture studies can provide valuable answers to questions regarding tick movement and behavior, population sizes, and survivorship. C_LIO_LIStandard tick mark-release-recapture provides limited resolution to understanding individual behaviors, limiting our ability to answer questions that require repeated observations of the same individuals. We developed a new, operationally simple method to track large populations of individual ticks over space and time. C_LIO_LIWe found non-random movement patterns, including directed movement towards grass, vegetation-dependent dispersal distances and rate, and sex-based differences in movement. C_LIO_LIPractical implication: This method can be applied to other tick species to assess tick longevity, determine dispersal ranges and rate, and analyze questing behavior and success. C_LI

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Gobran, S., Brisnehan, J., Wegryn, J., Hemming-Schroeder, E.. 2026-05-26. A mark-release-recapture approach to characterize tick questing preferences and dispersal distance.. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.26.728002

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