Sampling scale and season influence the observed relationship between the density of deer and questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The relationship between environmentally transmitted tick parasites, Ixodes spp., and their main reproductive host, deer, is generally thought to be positive. However, measuring host abundance and density directly can be challenging and indirect methods are often used. The observed relationship between the parasite and host may be affected by sampling scale and season, which could lead to different inferences being made. Here, we aimed to test the effect of sampling scale and season on the relationship between density of deer and the density of questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs.

Methods

The density of deer (primarily Dama dama) was estimated using line transect distance sampling of deer dung quantified in different seasons (winter and summer) and measured at three di

SUBMITTER: Dickinson ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7526098 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature