Fivefold higher abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) on the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) forest than field ecotypes

Abstract The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the most common deer species in Europe. The species can be a reservoir of some tick-borne diseases (TBD) but it is primarily recognized for its contribution as an amplifier host. In Central Europe, two roe deer ecotypes are living in adjacent areas: field and forest. We investigated differences in tick load and species composition on these two ecotypes. We collected ticks from 160 (80 the forest ecotype and 80 the field ecotype) roe deer culled in Wielkopolska Region (West-Central Poland). The most common was Ixodes ricinus (n = 1610; 99%) followed by Ixodes hexagonus (n = 22; 1%). The dominant life stage of the ticks was female. Prevalence was higher for forest roe deer. Mean number of ticks found on the forest ecotype was almost fivefold higher than on the field ecotype (3.75±0.83 vs. 0.77±0.20 ticks). The mean probability of tick occurrence was threefold higher in the forest (0.915±0.050) than the field ecotype (0.279±0.125). 'The most infested body parts of roe deer from both ecotypes were the neck and the head.

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Fivefold higher abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) on the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) forest than field ecotypes

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90234-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Patrycja Opalińska ◽

Anna Wierzbicka ◽

Marek Asman ◽

Grzegorz Rączka ◽

Marcin K. Dyderski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Central Europe ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Life Stage ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Body Parts ◽

Deer Species ◽

The Mean ◽

Tick Load

AbstractThe European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the most common deer species in Europe. The species can be a reservoir of some tick-borne diseases but it is primarily recognized for its contribution as an amplifier host. In Central Europe, two roe deer ecotypes are living in adjacent areas: field and forest. We investigated differences in tick load and species composition on these two ecotypes. We collected ticks from 160 (80 the forest ecotype and 80 the field ecotype) roe deer culled in Wielkopolska Region (West-Central Poland). The most common was Ixodes ricinus (n = 1610; 99%) followed by Ixodes hexagonus (n = 22; 1%). The dominant life stage of the ticks was female. Prevalence was higher for forest roe deer. Mean number of ticks found on the forest ecotype was almost fivefold higher than on the field ecotype (3.75 ± 0.83 vs. 0.77 ± 0.20 ticks). The mean probability of tick occurrence was threefold higher in the forest (0.915 ± 0.050) than the field ecotype (0.279 ± 0.125). The most infested body parts of roe deer from both ecotypes were the neck and the head.

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Wild ungulate species differ in their contribution to the transmission of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04860-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nannet D. Fabri ◽

Hein Sprong ◽

Tim R. Hofmeester ◽

Hans Heesterbeek ◽

Björn F. Donnars ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Deer Species ◽

Relative Contribution ◽

Ungulate Management ◽

Tick Load

Abstract Background Several ungulate species are feeding and propagation hosts for the tick Ixodes ricinus as well as hosts to a wide range of zoonotic pathogens. Here, we focus on Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi (s.l.), two important pathogens for which ungulates are amplifying and dilution hosts, respectively. Ungulate management is one of the main tools to mitigate human health risks associated with these tick-borne pathogens. Across Europe, different species of ungulates are expanding their ranges and increasing in numbers. It is currently unclear if and how the relative contribution to the life-cycle of I. ricinus and the transmission cycles of tick-borne pathogens differ among these species. In this study, we aimed to identify these relative contributions for five European ungulate species. Methods We quantified the tick load and collected ticks and spleen samples from hunted fallow deer (Dama dama, n = 131), moose (Alces alces, n = 15), red deer (Cervus elaphus, n = 61), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus, n = 30) and wild boar (Sus scrofa, n = 87) in south-central Sweden. We investigated the presence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks and spleen samples using real-time PCR. We determined if ungulate species differed in tick load (prevalence and intensity) and in infection prevalence in their tissue as well as in the ticks feeding on them. Results Wild boar hosted fewer adult female ticks than any of the deer species, indicating that deer are more important as propagation hosts. Among the deer species, moose had the lowest number of female ticks, while there was no difference among the other deer species. Given the low number of infected nymphs, the relative contribution of all ungulate species to the transmission of B. burgdorferi (s.l.) was low. Fallow deer, red deer and roe deer contributed more to the transmission of A. phagocytophilum than wild boar. Conclusions The ungulate species clearly differed in their role as a propagation host and in the transmission of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum. This study provides crucial information for ungulate management as a tool to mitigate zoonotic disease risk and argues for adapting management approaches to the local ungulate species composition and the pathogen(s) of concern. Graphic abstract

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The first report of massive infestation with Lipoptena Cervi ( Diptera: Hippoboscidae ) in Roe Deer ( Capreolus Capreolus ) in Iasi county, N-E of Romania

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-8612 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 293-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Lazăr ◽

O.C. Iacob ◽

C. Solcan ◽

S.A. Pașca ◽

R. Lazăr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Roe Deer ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Alcoholic Solution ◽

The Body ◽

Body Parts ◽

Hunting Season ◽

Inflammatory Reactions ◽

Trophy Hunting ◽

The Face

ABSTRACT Investigations of four roe deer corpses were carried out from May until October 2014, in the Veterinary Forensic Laboratory and in the Parasitic Diseases Clinic, in the Iasi Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The roe deer were harvested by shooting during the trophy hunting season. The clinical examination of the shot specimens revealed the presence of a highly consistent number of extremely mobile apterous insects, spread on the face, head, neck, lateral body parts, abdominal regions, inguinal, perianal and, finally, all over the body. The corpses presented weakening, anemia and cutaneous modification conditions. Several dozen insects were prelevated in a glass recipient and preserved in 70º alcoholic solution in order to identify the ectoparasite species. The morphological characteristics included insects in the Diptera order, Hippoboscidae family, Lipoptena cervi species. These are highly hematophagous insects that by severe weakening are affecting the game health and trophy quality. Histological investigations of the skin revealed some inflammatory reactions caused by ectoparasite Lipoptena cervi. Lipoptena cervi was identified for the first time in Iasi County, Romania.

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Field evidence that roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are a natural host for Ehrlichia phagocytophila

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268899003684 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 124 (2) ◽

pp. 315-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

M. P. ALBERDI ◽

A. R. WALKER ◽

K. A. URQUHART

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Ehrlichia Phagocytophila ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Field Evidence ◽

Polymerase Chain

Samples of blood, spleen and legs from 112 culled roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were collected from nine sites widespread in the United Kingdom. The prevalence of infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila was determined by serology and polymerase chain reaction. Means of 58% of 102 plasma or serum samples were seroreactive by IFA, 38% of 84 blood samples and 29% of 82 spleen samples were positive by PCR. Ticks on legs of 71 roe deer were Ixodes ricinus larvae, nymphs and adults and 83% of legs were infested. Numbers of ticks corresponded positively to the percentage of samples positive for E. phagocytophila by serology and PCR for different sampling sites. Ixodes ricinus nymphs collected from the vegetation at one site with infected deer were analysed for infection with E. phagocytophila by examination of Feulgen stained salivary glands. Of 135 nymphs 5% were infected. These results confirm that roe deer are commonly parasitized by both E. phagocytophila and its vector tick in such a way that it is likely to be an important natural mammalian reservoir of E. phagocytophila.

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Extensive Orchards in the Agricultural Landscape: Effective Protection against Fraying Damage Caused by Roe Deer

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11133738 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 3738

Author(s):

Petr Marada ◽

Jan Cukor ◽

Rostislav Linda ◽

Zdeněk Vacek ◽

Stanislav Vacek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Efficiency ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Southeastern Part ◽

Plastic Tube ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

The Mean ◽

Observed Damage

The objective of this research was to determine the efficiency of different types of protective barriers and how they protect against fraying damage in extensive fruit tree orchards. Orchards in open agricultural land are the target of fraying damage caused by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). We assessed the effectiveness of four protective barriers: a rabbit-proof fence, a standard plastic tube commonly used in forestry, and an innovative plastic tube—variants with and without an additional rendering fat application. The study was situated in three extensive orchards in the southeastern part of Moravia in the Czech Republic. We analyzed the ratio of damaged trees, stem circumference damage, the length and height of damage on tree stems, the time periods with the most observed damage, and finally, the economic efficiency of each studied barrier. Most of the damage was observed in April and July. The most effective protective barrier was the innovative tube with rendering fat application (up to 100%) followed closely by the innovative tube without rendering fat application (95%). The standard plastic tube had an effectiveness of 49%, while the rabbit-proof fence was the least effective at 25%. In terms of the mean damage-lengths on tree stems, we found no significant differences between the rabbit-proof fence and the standard plastic tubes (21–22 cm). The usage of the innovative plastic tube without rendering fat reduced the average damage-length by half (10 cm) as compared to standard types (rabbit-proof fence, standard tube) of protection. The damage-heights on tree stems showed no significant differences among all variants (53–58 cm from the ground). Our analysis of economic parameters showed that rabbit-proof fencing had the worst cost efficiency, while the innovative tubes without rendering fat, had the best cost efficiency. We recommend starting the installation of protective barriers on trees in March, since we recorded relatively high activity of male roe deer in the following months.

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Does habitat type modify group size in roe deer and red deer under predation risk by Iberian wolves?

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z07-129 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 170-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

I. Barja ◽

S. Rosellini

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Group Size ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Roe Deer ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Capreolus Capreolus ◽

Antipredator Response ◽

The Mean ◽

Grouping Behavior

We examined whether group size in red deer ( Cervus elaphus L., 1758) and roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus (L., 1758)) under predation risk by Iberian wolves ( Canis lupus L., 1758) is affected by the type of habitat in which the deer reside. We hypothesized that group size (i) would be larger in open than in closed habitats, since it is an antipredator response, and (ii) would vary more with habitat type in the species that had higher wolf predation rates. In the study area, wolves were the only predator of wild ungulates, with roe deer being the main target prey. We performed monthly transects along paths to observe the group size of red and roe deer. In roe deer, the mean group size was significantly higher in open than in closed habitats, serving as an antipredator response. However, in red deer, habitat type did not affect group size. The results indicate that under predation risk by wolves the habitat type influences the grouping behavior of roe deer but not red deer. Furthermore, compared with forests, heaths offer less protection from predators and species in this habitat would benefit from larger group sizes.

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