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Parasites & vectors2018; 11(1); 546; doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-3093-0

Species distribution and seasonal dynamics of equine tick infestation in two Mediterranean climate niches in Israel.

Abstract: Ticks are important ectoparasites of horses that can affect animal welfare and vector several infectious, including zoonotic, diseases. In order to investigate the species distribution, epidemiology and seasonal dynamics of ticks infesting horses in Israel, 3267 ticks were collected from 396 horses in 24 farms across the country from July 2014 to June 2015. Results: Ticks were found on 50% of the farms and on 25% of the horses, with Hyalomma being the most prevalent genus (70% of ticks). Pasture was the most prominent risk factor for tick infestation (99% of ticks, P < 0.001), and is represented here by two areas with a Mediterranean climate that differ in their environmental characteristics: the Golan Heights (GH, 74% of ticks); and the Carmel mountain ridge (CMR, 24%). Although these two sites are less than 100 km apart, the composition of the tick populations infesting horses differed significantly between them. In GH the most abundant tick species was Hyalomma excavatum (P < 0.001), while in CMR it was Hyalomma marginatum (P < 0.001). The GH also hosted a more diverse tick fauna than the CMR, including Haemaphysalis parva (peaking in the autumn, P < 0.001) and Rhipicephalus turanicus (peaking in the spring, P < 0.001), which were not found at the other sites. A few Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma rufipes and Hyalomma turanicum were also found on horses. Conclusions: The current findings can be used in epidemiological studies assessing the risk of tick-borne equine diseases in the area. Further analysis is needed to determine the specific distribution and habitat preferences of each tick species.
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Publication Date: 2018-10-16 PubMed ID: 30326955PubMed Central: PMC6192331DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3093-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article involves a study of the species distribution, epidemiology and seasonal dynamics of ticks affecting horses in Israel. The study observed that the prevalence and type of tick species varies according to climatic and environmental characteristics of specific regions.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted over a year from July 2014 to June 2015 during which ticks were collected from horses across 24 farms in Israel.
  • From the total sample population of 396 horses, 3267 ticks were gathered for the research.

Results

  • The study found that ticks were present in 50% of the farms and 25% of the horses.
  • Hyalomma was the most prevalent genus, accounting for 70% of the ticks.
  • It was detailed that pasture was the most significant risk factor for tick infestation, covering 99% of ticks.
  • The study focused on two locations with a Mediterranean climate – the Golan Heights and the Carmel mountain ridge, but with different environmental characters.
  • Distinct disparities were observed between the two sites in terms of tick population composition.
  • The Golan Heights had a more diverse tick faunae, whereas differences in most abundant ticks were noted between the two sites. In the Golan Heights, it was Hyalomma excavatum and in the Carmel mountain ridge, it was Hyalomma marginatum.

Conclusions

  • The data collected from this research can be utilized in further studies to evaluate the risk and impact of tick-borne equine diseases in different areas.
  • The authors suggest that a deeper analysis is required to establish the specific distribution and habitat preferences of each tick species.

The implications of this research are significant as it provides insights into the ways ticks infest horses and the seasonal dynamics involved. It suggests a need for targeted control and prevention measures based on the specific environmental factors of an area and the unique characteristics of tick species present.

Cite This Article

APA
Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Apanaskevich DA, Mumcuoglu KY, Steinman A. (2018). Species distribution and seasonal dynamics of equine tick infestation in two Mediterranean climate niches in Israel. Parasit Vectors, 11(1), 546. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3093-0

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Pages: 546
PII: 546

Researcher Affiliations

Tirosh-Levy, Sharon
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
Gottlieb, Yuval
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. gottlieb.yuval@mail.huji.ac.il.
Apanaskevich, Dmitry A
  • United States National Tick Collection, James H. Oliver, Jr., Institute of Coastal Plain Sciences, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia, USA.
Mumcuoglu, Kosta Y
  • Parasitology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetic, The Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Steinman, Amir
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Climate
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / epidemiology
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / parasitology
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary
  • Farms
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Rhipicephalus / physiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Seasons
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / parasitology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary
  • Ticks / physiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

ETHICS APPROVAL: Tick collection was performed under owners’ consent, and the study was approved by the Internal Ethics Review Committee Koret School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Teaching Hospital (KSVM-VTH/23_2014). CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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