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MaxEnt Modeling of Dermacentor marginatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Distribution in Xinjiang, China.
Abstract: Dermacentor marginatus Sulkzer is a common tick species found in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China, and is a vector for a variety of pathogens. To determine the potential distribution of this tick species in Xinjiang, a metadata containing 84 D. marginatus presence records combined with four localities from field collection were used for MaxEnt modeling to predict potential distribution of this tick species. Identification of tick samples showed 756 of 988 (76%) were D. marginatus. MaxEnt modeling results indicated that the potential distribution of this tick species was mainly confined to northern XUAR. Highly suitable areas included west side of Altay mountain, west rim of Junggar basin, and Yili River valley in the study area. The model showed an AUC value of 0.838 ± 0.063 (SD), based on 10-fold cross-validation. Although tick presence records used for modeling were limited, this is the first regional tick distribution model for D. marginatus in Xinjiang. The model will be helpful in assessing the risk of tick-borne diseases to human and animals in the region.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Publication Date: 2020-05-03 PubMed ID: 32359141DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjaa063Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research is about the distribution prediction of the Dermacentor marginatus (a form of tick) in the Xinjiang region of China, using a method called MaxEnt modeling. The model was built using data from tick presence records and the model output suggests that the tick species is mainly prevalent in the northern parts of Xinjiang.
Study Objectives and Method
- The primary goal of the study was to anticipate the potential distribution of Dermacentor marginatus ticks in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China.
- The study uses MaxEnt modelling, a machine-learning technique that uses presence-only species records and environmental variables to predict the distribution of species in an area. The dataset used for modelling comprised of 84 D. marginatus presence records and four localities’ field collections.
- Tick samples were identified, and 76% of 988 ticks were confirmed as D. marginatus.
Results
- The modelling results indicated that the potential areas for tick distribution are primarily confined to the north of XUAR.
- Highly suitable areas for tick habitation include the western side of Altay mountain, the western rim of the Junggar basin, and the Yili River valley in the study area.
- The model performance was evaluated using Area Under the Curve (AUC) which yielded a value of 0.838 ± 0.063 (SD) based on 10-fold cross-validation.
- This indicates a good performance of the model because an AUC value closer to 1 means the model is better at distinguishing between presence and absence of the tick species.
Significance
- Despite the limitation of tick presence records, the study offers the first regional tick distribution model for D. marginatus in Xinjiang.
- This model is crucial for assessing the risk of tick-borne diseases to humans and animals in the region, thus aiding in public health planning and ailment control initiatives
Cite This Article
APA
Song R, Ma Y, Hu Z, Li Y, Li M, Wu L, Li C, Dao E, Fan X, Hao Y, Bayin C.
(2020).
MaxEnt Modeling of Dermacentor marginatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Distribution in Xinjiang, China.
J Med Entomol, 57(5), 1659-1667.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa063 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- Bayingol Vocational and Technical College, Korla, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Mathematics and Physics, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Science and Technology, Khovd State University, Khovd, Mongolia.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
- College of Veterinary, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Distribution
- Animals
- China
- Dermacentor
- Horses
- Models, Statistical
- Phylogeography
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Martin JT, Fischhoff IR, Castellanos AA, Han BA. Ecological Predictors of Zoonotic Vector Status Among Dermacentor Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae): A Trait-Based Approach. J Med Entomol 2022 Nov 16;59(6):2158-2166.
- Hwang JH, Kim SH, Yoon S, Jung S, Kim DH, Lee WH. Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Three Major Leptocorisa (Hemiptera: Alydidae) Pests Using MaxEnt Model. Insects 2022 Aug 20;13(8).
- Zannou OM, Ouedraogo AS, Biguezoton AS, Abatih E, Coral-Almeida M, Farougou S, Yao KP, Lempereur L, Saegerman C. Models for Studying the Distribution of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Animals: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis with a Focus on Africa. Pathogens 2021 Jul 14;10(7).
- Yang X, Gao Z, Zhou T, Zhang J, Wang L, Xiao L, Wu H, Li S. Mapping the Potential Distribution of Major Tick Species in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Jul 16;17(14).
- Hwang JH, Yoon S, Lee WH. Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Pulse Blue Butterfly (Lampides boeticus), Pest of Legume Crops, in Response to Climate Change. Insects 2025 Aug 8;16(8).
- Shi G, Xin L, Li Z, Ma W, Yang D, Li C, Chahan B, Guo Q. Integrative morpho-molecular delineation of five medically significant tick species: facilitating precision-based vector surveillance. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1623318.
- Sun Z, Li YP, An Q, Gao X, Wang HB. Risk Factors Contributing to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N6 in China, 2014-2021: Based on a MaxEnt Model. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023;2023:6449392.
- Orkun Ö, Sarıkaya E, Yılmaz A, Yiğit M, Vatansever Z. Population genetic structure and demographic history of Dermacentor marginatus Sulzer, 1776 in Anatolia. Sci Rep 2025 Apr 12;15(1):12570.
- Min P, Song J, Zhao S, Ma Z, Meng Y, Tang Z, Wang Z, Lin S, Zhao F, Liu M, Wang L, Jia L. Tick species, tick-borne pathogen distribution and risk factor analysis in border areas of China, Russia and North Korea. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1529253.
- Fu C, Peng Y, Yang F, He Z, Ali H, Xu D. Potentially suitable geographical area for Colletotrichum acutatum under current and future climatic scenarios based on optimized MaxEnt model. Front Microbiol 2024;15:1463070.
- Fang HQ, Jiang ZX, Chen SM, Xie T, Xue Y, Song J, Yang QS. Predicting the distribution of potentially suitable habitat in China for Cirsium japonicum Fisch. ex DC. under future climate scenarios based on the R-optimized MaxEnt model. Ecol Evol 2024 Jul;14(7):e11653.
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