First report of Ixodes lividus (Koch,1844) in sand martins Riparia riparia in Portugal

Ixodes lividus Koch, 1844 (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is a specialised endophilic tick of the sand martin Riparia riparia whose distributional range matches that of its host in the Paleartic region. However, the presence of this tick species has not been described in Mediterranean countries where the sand martin also breeds. In this study, we investigated I. lividus infestation in 1,081 Riparia riparia individuals from two breeding colonies in central Portugal. In total, three I. lividus were collected from three sand martins (infestation rate of 0.28%). A molecular survey on these ticks did not detect the presence of any Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickttesia spp. nor Babesia spp. This report expands to the south and west the known distributional range of I. lividus in Europe.

TAXONOMIC STRUCTURE OF NIDICOLE FAUNA IN THE NESTS OF THE SAND MARTIN (RIPARIA RIPARIA LINNAEUS, 1758) IN THE TERRITORY OF THE SARATOV REGION

Today, global climate changes are taking place, leading to changes in the habitats of many species, including organisms of epidemiological importance. The transfer of such organisms will primarily involve the blood-sucking parasites of migratory birds. The sand martin (Riparia riparia Linnaeus, 1758) is one of many migratory birds nesting in the Saratov region. In order to understand how much the species is involved in the transmission of infection and the creation of a new focal point of infection, it is necessary to establish the taxonomic structure of the nidicol fauna.