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The Changing Distribution Patterns of Ticks (Ixodida) in Europe in Relation to Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases

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Arthropods as Vectors of Emerging Diseases

Part of the book series: Parasitology Research Monographs ((Parasitology Res. Monogr.,volume 3))

Abstract

Ixodid ticks are the most important vectors of human pathogens and are significant vectors of animal pathogens in Europe. Evidence is accumulating that several tick species have extended their distributions, related at least in part to climate and habitat changes. With increasing anthropogenic modification of the environment, these distributional modifications are likely to continue, with the likelihood that tick-borne diseases will spread to new areas. We discuss those factors which are involved in the changing distributions of ixodid ticks and provide a list of possible invading species given potential changes in tick habitat.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Parasitology, Zoology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kornblumenstrasse 13, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany

    T. N. Petney, J. Skuballa, S. Muders, M. Pfäffle & C. Zetlmeisl

  2. Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Ref. 93, Allgemeine Hygiene und Infektionsschutz, Nordbahnhofsstr. 135, 70191, Stuttgart, Germany

    R. Oehme

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  1. T. N. Petney
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  2. J. Skuballa
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  4. M. Pfäffle
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Correspondence to T. N. Petney .

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  1. Department of Zoomorphology, Cell Biology and Parasitology,, Heinrich Heine University, Universitätsstr. 1, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany

    Heinz Mehlhorn

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Petney, T.N., Skuballa, J., Muders, S., Pfäffle, M., Zetlmeisl, C., Oehme, R. (2012). The Changing Distribution Patterns of Ticks (Ixodida) in Europe in Relation to Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases. In: Mehlhorn, H. (eds) Arthropods as Vectors of Emerging Diseases. Parasitology Research Monographs, vol 3. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28842-5_7

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