Features of Fauna and Ecology of Ixodid Ticks Parasitizing in the Central Part of the East European Plain

Abstract

The purpose of the research is finding out features of fauna and ecology of ixodid ticks parasitizing in the Non-Black Earth Region of the central part of the East European Plain, which inhabit the Kaluga Region. Materials and methods. Ixodid ticks were collected and recorded according to generally accepted methods in all districts of the Kaluga Region and the city of Kaluga in 2009–2019 during their activity (in the spring from the melting of snow and until late autumn before the snow cover formation). A total of 11,282 ticks were collected in 412 flag-hours, of which 7,421 (65.7%) were collected from vegetation and 3,861 (34.3%) from animals. We studied open meadow and field areas, forest and shrub areas, closed meadow and field areas, and wetland stations and settlements. The species was identified using the Atlas of ixodid ticks by Ganiev and Aliverdiev (1968) and the Atlas by Shevkoplyas (2008). Results and discussion. There are two species of ixodid ticks in the Kaluga Region, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentоr reticulatus. The number of D. reticulatus slightly exceeds (by 6%) I. ricinus, 53 and 46% respectively, which is explained by the even distribution of forest and meadow (pasture) biotopes in the Region. The abundance index of I. ricinus was 16.8±1.32 individuals per 1 flag-hour in forest biotopes, and 11.6±1.12 individuals per 1 flag-hour in meadow biotopes. The abundance index of D. reticulatus was 10.8±1.14 individuals per 1 flag-hour in forest biotopes, and 15.9±1.30 individuals per 1 flag-hour in meadow biotopes.