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24 March 2022 Ticks of Alabama: the fauna and spatial distribution of medically important species across the state
Skyler M. Kerr, Jonathan O. Rayner, R. Ryan Wood, Steven Schultze, John McCreadie
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Abstract

The last statewide survey of hard ticks in Alabama was in 1972. To address this deficit, we examined the distribution of the medically important species across the state, Ixodes scapularis (Say), Dermacentor variabilis (Say), Amblyomma americanum (L.), and A. maculatum (Koch), between April, 2018 and February, 2021. Collections primarily involved dragging (April to July) and examination of harvested deer (November to February). A total of 2,927 ticks was collected from 110 sites; three species, I. scapularis, A. americanum, and D. variabilis, represented 91.70% of all ticks collected. Amblyomma americanum and D. variabilis were the most common species encountered in drags; I. scapularis dominated deer collections. Dermacentor variabilis was never found on deer, whereas D. albipictus was only found on deer. Stepwise regression (AIC) of drag data was linked to several site variables. Results suggest a linear response along a south (low abundance) to north (high abundance) gradient, in addition to increased abundance at sites with lower temperatures and greater precipitation and canopy cover.

Skyler M. Kerr, Jonathan O. Rayner, R. Ryan Wood, Steven Schultze, and John McCreadie "Ticks of Alabama: the fauna and spatial distribution of medically important species across the state," Journal of Vector Ecology 47(1), 38-50, (24 March 2022). https://doi.org/10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.38
Received: 27 August 2021; Accepted: 21 January 2022; Published: 24 March 2022
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KEYWORDS
Alabama
Amblyomma americanum
Amblyomma maculatum
Dermacentor variabilis
Ixodes scapularis
ticks
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