Biotic and Abiotic Drivers of the Prevalence of the Gulf Coast Tick and an Associated Vector Borne Disease in Arizona
Recently discovered in Arizona, the Gulf Coast tick has the potential to transmit a bacterial spotted fever to both humans and animals. Though it is possible that it was present in the region, yet undetected, researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project aim to study the presence of the Gulf Coast tick in Arizona by capturing and monitoring the health of birds over the course of three years to understand how the tick and its associated bacteria impact bird health. The results of the project will include maps describing where the tick is found and where it is most likely to spread based on habitat features that affect distribution and abundance. This will inform management and conservation activities in the region to limit the risk of emerging tick related disease.
Project Summary
Emerging diseases are threats to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Ticks are one of the most important vectors of disease in North America; however, their presence in desert ecosystems is often underestimated. The Gulf Coast tick has been recently discovered in Arizona and has the potential to transmit a spotted fever (caused by the bacteria Rickettsia parkeri) to humans and animals. While we do not yet understand why this tick has recently appeared in Arizona, it is possible that it was present, yet undetected in the area, or that changes to climate and habitat availability expanded its range into the region.
This project aims to study the Gulf Coast tick’s presence in Arizona in partnership with the Tucson Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy. Over the course of three years, the research team will capture birds and inspect them for ticks and take key health measurements. Researchers will then use these measurements to determine how the tick and its associated bacteria affect bird health. This will allow researchers to combine these data with a rigorous census of the tick across southeast Arizona to create maps of where this tick is found and identify the most important habitat features that affect its distribution and abundance.
The results of this project will help determine whether changing climate, habitat loss, or dispersal by birds is the most likely cause behind the emergence of Gulf Coast ticks in Arizona. Finally, the results will be used to predict where this tick will be found in the future as the climate changes and identify places where humans and animals may be most at risk of contracting disease. The data will also be used to inform management and conservation activities in the region and better understand the risk of emerging disease to Arizona wildlife and people.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 67a3f19bd34e63325c2b748a)
Recently discovered in Arizona, the Gulf Coast tick has the potential to transmit a bacterial spotted fever to both humans and animals. Though it is possible that it was present in the region, yet undetected, researchers supported by this Southwest CASC project aim to study the presence of the Gulf Coast tick in Arizona by capturing and monitoring the health of birds over the course of three years to understand how the tick and its associated bacteria impact bird health. The results of the project will include maps describing where the tick is found and where it is most likely to spread based on habitat features that affect distribution and abundance. This will inform management and conservation activities in the region to limit the risk of emerging tick related disease.
Project Summary
Emerging diseases are threats to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Ticks are one of the most important vectors of disease in North America; however, their presence in desert ecosystems is often underestimated. The Gulf Coast tick has been recently discovered in Arizona and has the potential to transmit a spotted fever (caused by the bacteria Rickettsia parkeri) to humans and animals. While we do not yet understand why this tick has recently appeared in Arizona, it is possible that it was present, yet undetected in the area, or that changes to climate and habitat availability expanded its range into the region.
This project aims to study the Gulf Coast tick’s presence in Arizona in partnership with the Tucson Audubon Society and The Nature Conservancy. Over the course of three years, the research team will capture birds and inspect them for ticks and take key health measurements. Researchers will then use these measurements to determine how the tick and its associated bacteria affect bird health. This will allow researchers to combine these data with a rigorous census of the tick across southeast Arizona to create maps of where this tick is found and identify the most important habitat features that affect its distribution and abundance.
The results of this project will help determine whether changing climate, habitat loss, or dispersal by birds is the most likely cause behind the emergence of Gulf Coast ticks in Arizona. Finally, the results will be used to predict where this tick will be found in the future as the climate changes and identify places where humans and animals may be most at risk of contracting disease. The data will also be used to inform management and conservation activities in the region and better understand the risk of emerging disease to Arizona wildlife and people.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 67a3f19bd34e63325c2b748a)