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Do the level of energy reserves, hydration status and Borrelia infection influence walking by Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2012

C. HERRMANN  and
L. GERN
C. HERRMANN
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, Case Postale 158, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
L. GERN*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, Case Postale 158, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
*
*Corresponding author: Institute of Biology, Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasites, University of Neuchâtel, Emile Argand 11, Case Postale 158, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Tel: +41 32 718 30 52. Fax: +41 32 718 30 01. E-mail: lise.gern@unine.ch
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Summary

Ixodes ricinus horizontal movement within a humidity gradient and the influence of infection by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) on tick walking were investigated. Nymphs were placed within an arena containing a humidity gradient ranging from 45 to 95% relative humidity (RH). After 1 h of acclimation at 70% RH ticks were released so that they could either stay, or walk towards either the wet or the dry end. Their position was recorded 2 h post-release. Fat content was quantified and Borrelia infection was detected using real-time PCR and PCR followed by Reverse Line Blotting. Among the 1500 ticks tested, 29·85% were infected. More low-fat nymphs walked inside the arena than high-fat individuals. When nymphs walked, more low-fat ticks walked towards wetter than drier air, whereas more high-fat individuals walked towards drier than wetter air. Among high-fat nymphs, a lower proportion of Borrelia-infected ticks walked inside the arena compared to uninfected individuals, as though spirochetes manipulated their arthropod vector to stay. However, Borrelia infection had no effect on walking direction towards the dry or the wet end. Hence, it appears that I. ricinus nymphs walk horizontally over short distances within a humidity gradient depending on both energy resources and Borrelia infection.

Keywords

Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.Ixodes ricinusenergy resourcehumiditytick movementvector behaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 139 , Issue 3 , March 2012 , pp. 330 - 337
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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