Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Zur Ökologie eines deutschen Stammes von Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806)

On the Ecology of a German Strain of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806)

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Experimental evaluation of the ecological tolerance of Rhipicephalus sanguineus was carried out by exposing all the postembryonic stages of development of this tick species to various combinations of temperature and relative humidity conditions, in both its fasting and replete phases, in order to investigate the influence of these two abiotic factors on their development and reproductive capacity, as well as on their ability to survive.

Experiments into the degree of reaction to its environment showed unequivocally that the security of survival of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, as well its capacity for development and reproduction, are determined by temperature and relative humidity. These influences are characterized by a generally directly proportional relationship to relative humidity and an indirectly proportional relationship to temperature.

The ability to propagate to the enzootic manifestation is only possible within the restricted range of temperature of 20–30° C and at a relatively high humidity. This tick is however capable of enduring critical temperature and humidity conditions for a given length of time, thus ensuring the continuation of the enzootic state.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is however unable to exist as a field tick due to critical macroclimatic conditions in Germany in its special predilection for the dog as a host this species is presented with a biotope in which all the ecological prerequisites are available for its autochthonous enzootic manifestation and its epizootic dissemination.

Zusammenfassung

Zur experimentellen Bewertung der ökologischen Toleranzkapazität von Rhipicephalus sanguineus wurden alle postembryonalen Entwicklungsstadien dieser Zeckenart im nüchternen und vollgesaugten Zustand verschiedenen Kombinationen von Temperatur- und relativen Luftfeuchtigkeitsbedingungen ausgesetzt, um den Einfluß dieser beiden abiotischen Faktoren auf ihre Entwicklung, Reproduktionskapazität sowie ihr Überleben zu untersuchen.

In Untersuchungen zur ökologischen Reaktionsbreite von Rhipicephalus sanguineus konnte eindeutig nachgewiesen werden, daß die existentielle Sicherung dieser Zeckenart sowie deren Entwicklungs- und Reproduktionsvermögen von Temperatur und relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit bestimmt werden. Diese Beeinflussung ist dabei allgemein durch eine direkt proportionale Abhängigkeit von der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit und eine umgekehrt proportionale Relation zur Temperatur gekennzeichnet.

Das Propagationsvermögen zur enzootischen Manifestation ist nur im engen Temperaturbereich von 20–30° C und bei hoher relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit möglich. Diese Zeckenart ist jedoch in allen ihren Entwicklungsstadien für eine bestimmte Zeit fähig, selbst kritische Temperatur- und Feuchtigkeitsbedingungen zu tolerieren und damit ihren enzootischen Fortbestand zu sichern.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus kann zwar auf Grund kritischer Makroklimabedingungen als Freilandzecke in Deutschland nicht bestehen, durch ihre besondere Wirtsprädilektion für Hunde wird dieser Zeckenart jedoch ein Biotop geboten, in dem alle ökologischen Voraussetzungen zur autochthon enzootischen Manifestation und epizootischen Ausbreitung gegeben sind.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literatur

  • Arthur, D. R.: The bionomics of Ixodes hexagonus Leach in Britain. Parasitology 41, 82–90 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Balashov, Y. S.: A translation of bloodsucking ticks (Ixodoidea)- vectors of diseases of man and animals. Misc. Publ. Ent. Soc. Am. 8, 161–376 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beament, J. W. L.: The water relations of insect cuticle. Biol. Rev. 36, 281–320 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Belozerov, V. N., Serafin, L. N.: Water balance regulation in Alectorobius tholozani (Laboulb. et Megn., 1882) at different atmospheric humidity. Med. Parazit. 29, 308–313 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Browning, T. O.: Water balance in the tick Ornithodoros moubata Murray, with particular reference to the influence of carbon dioxide on the uptake and loss of water. J. exp. Biol. 31, 331–340 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Buxton, P. A.: The law governing the loss of water from an insect. Proc. ent. Soc. London 6, 27–31 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  • Edney, E. B.: Water balance in desert arthropods. Science 156, 1059–1066 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eidmann, H., Kühlhorn, F.: Lehrbuch der Entomologie. Hamburg-Berlin: Paul Parey 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enigk, K.: Die Überträger der Pferdepiroplasmose, ihre Verbreitung und Biologie. Arch. wiss. prakt. Tierheilk. 79, 58–80 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, A. C.: Studies on the influence of the environment on the sheep blow-fly, Lucilia sericata Meig. II. The influence of humidity and temperature on prepupae and pupae. Parasitology 27, 291–298 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman-Muhsam, B.: Laboratory colonies of Rhipicephalus. Bull. Wld Hlth Org. 31, 587–589 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritzsche, R., Geiler, H., Sedlag, U.: Angewandte Entomologie. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gothe, R.: Zum Vorkommen von Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) in Deutschland. Z. Tropenmed. Parasit. 19, 305–307 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gothe, R., Hamel, H. D.: Epizootien von Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) in Deutschland. Zbl. Vet.-Med. B (im Druck).

  • Hafez, M., El-Ziady, S., Hefnawy, T.: Biochemical and physiological studies of certain ticks (Ixodoidea). Uptake of water by the different development stages of Hyalomma dromedarii Koch (Ixodidae) and Ornithodoros savignyi Audouin (Argasidae). J. Parasit. 56, 354–361 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hitchcock, L. F.: Studies on the non-parasitic stages of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1888). Aust. J. Zool. 3, 295–311 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jameson, E. W.: Temperature-development relation of Eutrombicula belkini (Acarina: Trombiculidae) and their possible ecological significance. J. Parasit. 58, 343–347 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  • Knülle, W.: Equilibrium humidities and survival of some tick larvae. J. med. Ent. 2, 335–338 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, J. L.: Some effects of varying temperature and humidity on the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Proc. 10th int. Congr. Ent. 3, 849–851 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, J. L., McMillan, H. L.: The effects of relative humidity on the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). J. econ. Ent. 48, 338–339 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A. D.: The water balance in Ixodes ricinus L. and certain other species of ticks. Parasitology 37, 1–20 (1946).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A. D.: Transpiration and the structure of the epicuticle in ticks. J. exp. Biol. 23, 379–410 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A. D.: Aspects of the physiology of the sheep tick. Ann. appl. Biol. 39, 146–148 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, A. D.: The effect of ageing and locomotor activity on the water transport mechanism of ticks. Acarologia 6, 315–323 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lombardini, G.: Osservazioni biologiche ed anatomiche sul Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806). Redia 35, 173–183 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, J.: Ixodes ricinus in relation to its physical environment: the influence of climate on development. Parasitology 26, 282–305 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, J.: Ixodes ricinus in relation to its physical environment: II. The factors governing survival and activity. Parasitology 27, 113–144 (1935a).

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, J.: Ixodes ricinus in relation to its physical environment: III. Climate and reproduction. Parasitology 27, 489–500 (1935b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Malan, J. R.: Report on methods used in assessing tick resistance. Tick Investigation Centre, Onderstepoort (1967).

  • Mellanby, K.: The influence of atmospheric humidity on the thermal death point of a number of insects. J. exp. Biol. 9, 222–231 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagar, S. K.: On the significance of the preoviposition and oviposition periods in ixodid ticks. Acarologia 10, 621–629 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nuttall, G. H. F.: Observations on the biology of the Ixodidae. Part 2. Parasitology 7, 408–456 (1915).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapre, S. N.: Some observations on the life-history of the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) at Mukteswar. Ind. J. Sci. 14, 111–112 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow, K. R.: The life-history of Hyalomma anatolicum (Koch, 1844) under laboratory conditions. Parasitology 59, 105–122 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, S. C., Varma, M. G. R.: The culture of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Ixodidae) in the laboratory. J. med. Ent. 1, 154–157 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweatman, G. K.: Physical and biological factors affecting the longevity and oviposition of engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus female ticks. J. Parasit. 53, 432–445 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweatman, G. K.: Temperature and humidity effects on the oviposition of Hyalomma aegyptium ticks of different engorgement weights. J. med. Ent. 5, 429–439 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweatman, G. K., Koussa, M. G.: Comparative changes in external respiration rates of engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus female ticks with age and oviposition in different physical environments. J. Parasit. 54, 641–656 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Theiler, G.: Ecogeographical aspects of tick distribution. Monograph. Biol. 14, 284–299 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V. B.: Physiologie der Insekten. Basel-Stuttgart: Birkhäuser 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winston, P. H., Bates, D. H.: Saturated solutions for the control of humidity in biological research. Ecology 41, 232–236 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Parasitologie und Parasitäre Krankheiten der Tiere der Justus Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany

    R. Gothe & H. D. Hamel

Authors
  1. R. Gothe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. D. Hamel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gothe, R., Hamel, H.D. Zur Ökologie eines deutschen Stammes von Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806). Z. F. Parasitenkunde 41, 157–172 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328759

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328759

Search

Navigation