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Will new ticks invade North America? How to identify future invaders
Laura H Backus1, Emily L Pascoe2, Janet Foley1
1Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Trends in Parasitology
|July 12, 2022
Summary
Invasive ticks thrive in human-altered habitats and can adapt to various climates. Understanding these traits helps predict future tick invasions and improve public health surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Invasive Species Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Invasive tick species and their transmitted pathogens represent a growing global health concern for humans and animals.
- Limited research exists on the specific traits that facilitate tick invasions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key characteristics enabling tick species invasions.
- To analyze North American tick invasion events to understand facilitating factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of documented tick invasion events in North America.
- Identification of common traits among invasive tick species.
Main Results:
- Invasive ticks commonly inhabit anthropogenically modified environments.
- These ticks often feed on abundant domestic animals or wildlife.
- Adaptability to a wide range of climatic conditions is a shared characteristic.
- Invasion success appears linked to the convergence of multiple traits, despite variations in life history and reproduction.
Conclusions:
- Invasive tick success is associated with specific habitat, host, and climate adaptability.
- Predicting future tick invaders requires recognizing the convergence of these enabling characteristics.
- This knowledge can enhance surveillance strategies for invasive ticks and tick-borne diseases.
