Tick abundance and life-stage segregation on the American black bear (Ursus americanus).

ABSTRACT: Tick abundance and diagnosed cases of tick-borne diseases have been increasing in the United States. American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations have also been increasing in the eastern United States. As a competent host of several species of ticks and a mammal capable of traveling long distances, the role of black bears as hosts for ticks requires further evaluation. Ectoparasite surveys were conducted on black bears in Pennsylvania to evaluate tick presence, abundance, spatial distribution, and association with Sarcoptes scabiei, the etiological agent of sarcoptic mange, on bears to better understand their role in tick ecology and to improve on-host surveillance techniques. Tick burden was evaluated using standard area sampling (10.16 × 10.16 cm squares) on pr

SUBMITTER: Tiffin HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8523825 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature