1
|
Kjellander P, Bergvall UA, Chirico J, Ullman K, Christensson M, Lindgren PE. Winter activity of Ixodes ricinus in Sweden. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:229. [PMID: 37430316 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05843-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Europe, Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) is the most widespread and abundant tick species, acting as a vector for several microorganisms of medical and veterinary importance. In Northern and Central Europe, the tick has a bimodal activity pattern consisting of a peak in spring to the beginning of summer and a second peak at the end of summer. However, several findings of ticks on animals during winter have been reported, which raises the question of whether this is an overwintering strategy or whether ticks are active during winter in Scandinavia. The objectives of our study were to determine (i) whether ticks were active and finding hosts during winter, (ii) whether they parasitize their hosts, and (iii) what climatic factors-i.e., temperature, snow depth and precipitation-govern tick winter activity. METHODS Throughout three winter seasons, we examined wild-living and free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for ticks on 332 occasions. In total, 140 individual roe deer were captured in two climatically contrasting sites in south-central Sweden, Grimsö and the Bogesund research area, respectively. We re-examined individual roe deer up to 10 times within the same winter or approximately once a week (mean 10 days, median 7 days between re-examinations) and recorded the absence or presence of ticks on the animals, and tested to what extent meteorological factors affected tick activity. To determine the attachment day, we used the coxal/scutal index of 18 nymphs and 47 female ticks. RESULTS In total, 243 I. ricinus were collected from 301 roe deer captures between 14 December and 28 February at the Bogesund study site during three subsequent years (2013/2014-2015/2016). We found attached ticks every third to every second examination (32%, 48% and 32% of the examinations, respectively). However, we collected only three I. ricinus females from 31 roe deer captures at the Grimsö study site between 17 December 2015 and 26 February 2016. At the Bogesund study site, based on 192 captures of previously examined deer, we collected 121 ticks, and ticks were found at 33%, 48% and 26% of the examinations during the respective winters. The probability of finding an attached tick on a roe deer at a temperature of -5 °C was > 8% ± 5 (SE), and that probability increased to almost 20% ± 7 (SE) if the air temperature increased to 5 °C. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that winter-active nymphs and female ticks have been documented to attach and feed on roe deer during winter (December to February) in Scandinavia. The main weather conditions regulating winter activity for females were temperature and precipitation, and the lowest estimated air temperature for finding an active tick was well below 5 °C. The behaviour of winter-active and blood-feeding ticks was documented over several winters and in two contrasting areas, implying that it is a common phenomenon that should be investigated more thoroughly, since it may have important consequences for the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika A Bergvall
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Jan Chirico
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Ullman
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Christensson
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Laboratory Medicine, Microbiological Laboratory, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Keiter DA, Stoddart TR, Jackson DH. Use of cellular‐linked cameras to monitor live‐trapping of wildlife. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Keiter
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point OR 97502 USA
| | - Tiffany R. Stoddart
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point OR 97502 USA
| | - DeWaine H. Jackson
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 4192 N. Umpqua Highway Roseburg OR 97470 USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bergvall UA, Morellet N, Kjellander P, Rauset GR, Groeve JD, Borowik T, Brieger F, Gehr B, Heurich M, Hewison AM, Kröschel M, Pellerin M, Saïd S, Soennichsen L, Sunde P, Cagnacci F. Settle Down! Ranging Behaviour Responses of Roe Deer to Different Capture and Release Methods. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113299. [PMID: 34828030 PMCID: PMC8614535 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The fitting of tracking devices to wild animals requires capture and handling which causes stress and can potentially cause injury, behavioural modifications that can affect animal welfare and the output of research. We evaluated post capture and release ranging behaviour responses of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) for five different capture methods. We analysed the distance from the centre of gravity and between successive locations, using data from 14 different study sites within the EURODEER collaborative project. Independently of the capture method, we observed a shorter distance between successive locations and contextual shift away from the home range centre of gravity after the capture and release event. However, individuals converged towards the average behaviour within a relatively short space of time (between 10 days and one month). If researchers investigate questions based on the distance between successive locations of the home range, we recommend (1) initial investigation to establish when the animals start to behave normally again or (2) not using the first two to three weeks of data for their analysis. We also encourage researchers to continually adapt methods to minimize stress and prioritize animal welfare wherever possible, according to the Refinement of the Three R's.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika A. Bergvall
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-707-564845
| | - Nicolas Morellet
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFS, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (N.M.); (A.J.M.H.)
- LTSER ZA PYrénéesGARonne, 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden;
| | - Geir R. Rauset
- Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, 7485 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Johannes De Groeve
- Research and Innovation Centre, Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (J.D.G.); (F.C.)
- Department of Geography, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 94240 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tomasz Borowik
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland; (T.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Falko Brieger
- Forest Research Institute Baden-Wuerttemberg, 79100 Freiburg, Germany; (F.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Benedikt Gehr
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of Visitor Management and National Park Monitoring, Bavarian Forest National Park, 94481 Grafenau, Germany;
- Wildlife Ecology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute for Forest and Wildlife Management, Campus Evenstad, Innland Norway University of Applied Science, 2480 Koppang, Norway
| | - A.J. Mark Hewison
- Université de Toulouse, INRAE, CEFS, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; (N.M.); (A.J.M.H.)
- LTSER ZA PYrénéesGARonne, 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Max Kröschel
- Forest Research Institute Baden-Wuerttemberg, 79100 Freiburg, Germany; (F.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Maryline Pellerin
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l’Appui Scientifique, 01330 Birieux, France; (M.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonia Saïd
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Direction de la Recherche et de l’Appui Scientifique, 01330 Birieux, France; (M.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Leif Soennichsen
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland; (T.B.); (L.S.)
| | - Peter Sunde
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark;
| | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Research and Innovation Centre, Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy; (J.D.G.); (F.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Proulx G, Cattet M, Serfass TL, Baker SE. Updating the AIHTS Trapping Standards to Improve Animal Welfare and Capture Efficiency and Selectivity. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1262. [PMID: 32722315 PMCID: PMC7459571 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1999, after pressure from the European Union, an Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) that would result in the banning of the steel-jawed leghold traps in the European Community, Canada, and Russia was signed. The United States implemented these standards through an Agreed Minute with the European Community. Over the last two decades, scientists have criticized the AIHTS for (1) omitting species that are commonly trapped; (2) threshold levels of trap acceptance that are not representative of state-of-the-art trap technology; (3) excluding popular traps which are commonly used by trappers although they are known to cause prolonged pain and stress to captured animals; (4) inadequate coverage of capture efficiency and species selectivity (i.e., number of captures of target and non-target species) performance. Concerns about the ability of standards and test procedures to ensure animal welfare, and about the implementation of standards, have also been voiced by wildlife biologists, managers, and conservation groups. In this review, we present a synopsis of current trapping standards and test procedures, and we compare the standards to a then contemporary 1985-1993 Canadian trap research and development program. On the basis of the above-noted concerns about AIHTS, and our experience as wildlife professionals involved in the capture of mammals, we formulated the following hypotheses: (1) the list of mammal species included in the AIHTS is incomplete; (2) the AIHTS have relatively low animal welfare performance thresholds of killing trap acceptance and do not reflect state-of-the-art trapping technology; (3) the AIHTS animal welfare indicators and injuries for restraining traps are insufficient; (4) the AIHTS testing procedures are neither thorough nor transparent; (5) the AIHTS protocols for the use of certified traps are inadequate; (6) the AIHTS procedures for the handling and dispatching of animals are nonexistent; (7) the AIHTS criteria to assess trap capture efficiency and species selectivity are inappropriate. We conclude that the AIHTS do not reflect state-of-the-art trapping technology, and assessment protocols need to be updated to include trap components and sets, animal handling and dispatching, and trap visit intervals. The list of traps and species included in the standards should be updated. Finally, the concepts of capture efficiency and trap selectivity should be developed and included in the standards. Based on our review, it is clear that mammal trapping standards need to be revisited to implement state-of-the-art trapping technology and improve capture efficiency and species selectivity. We believe that a committee of international professionals consisting of wildlife biologists and veterinarians with extensive experience in the capture of mammals and animal welfare could produce new standards within 1-2 years. We propose a series of measures to fund trap testing and implement new standards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Proulx
- Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd., 229 Lilac Terrace, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 1W3, Canada
| | - Marc Cattet
- RGL Recovery Wildlife Health & Veterinary Services, 415 Mount Allison Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7H 4A6, Canada;
| | - Thomas L. Serfass
- Department of Biology and Natural Resources, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA;
| | - Sandra E. Baker
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zemanova MA. Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: moving from invasive to non-invasive methods. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A. Zemanova
- M. A. Zemanova (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5002-3388) ✉ , Dept of Philosophy, Univ. of Basel, Steinengraben 5, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hampton JO, Finch NA, Watter K, Amos M, Pople T, Moriarty A, Jacotine A, Panther D, McGhie C, Davies C, Mitchell J, Forsyth DM. A review of methods used to capture and restrain introduced wild deer in Australia. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/am17047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Six non-native deer species have established wild populations in Australia, and most are expanding in distribution and abundance. There is therefore increasing focus on the need to understand and manage these species. Capturing and immobilising wild deer is essential for many research and management applications, but the best methods for doing this have not been identified for the Australian situation. To address this knowledge gap, we systematically reviewed methods used to physically capture and chemically immobilise the six wild deer species in Australia. A variety of physical and chemical restraint methods have been used to capture wild deer in Australia, but these have seldom been reported in peer-reviewed publications. Physical capture methods have employed a variety of trapping and netting configurations. Some chemical immobilisation approaches have used oral baiting, but most have relied on darting of free-ranging animals or hand-injection of physically restrained deer. There is uncertainty about the efficacy and animal welfare impacts of the techniques currently used to capture wild deer in Australia. Improved reporting of capture outcomes would facilitate the identification of ‘best practice’ techniques for capturing wild deer in Australian environments.
Collapse
|