Abstract
BackgroundGeoreferenced locations of ixodid ticks are required to depict the observed distribution of species. Further, they are used as input data for species distribution models also known as niche models. The latter were applied to describe current and future (projected) tick distributions. Beside model assumptions and selected climate parameters, the number of georeferenced tick locations available as a digital dataset is of fundamental importance for the reliability of such models. For Germany, however, no comprehensive dataset of ixodid tick species exists. The goal of this study was to put together all the available information on ixodid tick locations in Germany to produce such a digital dataset and to visualize it in a map.FindingsA total of 2,044 georeferenced locations of ixodid ticks in Germany were compiled from two existing datasets (altogether 993 locations) and an extensive literature study (1,051 locations). The resulting digital dataset comprises the following tick species: Ixodes ricinus (1,855 locations), Ixodes apronophorus (1), Ixodes frontalis (1), Ixodes hexagonus (1), Ixodes trianguliceps (4), Dermacentor marginatus (77), Dermacentor reticulatus (96), Haemaphysalis concinna (8) and Hyalomma marginatum (1). The data were used to draw a tick map for Germany, showing I. ricinus occurring in the whole federal territory, while D. marginatus has been restricted to the climatically favoured region of the Rhine valley. Clustered locations of D. reticulatus were also documented in the Rhine valley as well as in Berlin and its vicinity.ConclusionsThe introduced map depicts for the first time the available geographical coordinates of ixodid tick locations in Germany. The digital dataset used to draw the map is provided to the scientific community as a basis for further investigations such as species distribution modelling.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-014-0477-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Georeferenced locations of ixodid ticks are required to depict the observed distribution of species
The digital dataset used to draw the map is provided to the scientific community as a basis for further investigations such as species distribution modelling
The same is true for Belgium, where a recently published study on the distribution of ixodid tick species [10] is not included in those two datasets so far
Summary
Georeferenced locations of ixodid ticks are required to depict the observed distribution of species They are used as input data for species distribution models known as niche models. The latter were applied to describe current and future (projected) tick distributions. The current and future distribution of Ixodes ricinus in Europe was Digital datasets covering Europe were provided by Estrada-Peña et al [3] and GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility [9] Both datasets feature major data gaps especially for Germany. For Germany, such comprehensive data as presented for Belgium [10] are missing so far To reduce these shortcomings a literature study on georeferenced tick locations was performed. Results comprise of coordinates extracted from recent papers, extracted from restricted papers mainly published in German language, digitized from historical hand-drawn maps and added from unpublished material, i.e. kindly provided by colleagues
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