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A Geographical Information System Based Approach for Integrated Strategies of Tick Surveillance and Control in the Peri-Urban Natural Reserve of Monte Pellegrino (Palermo, Southern Italy)

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandra Torina

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Valeria Blanda

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Marcellocalogero Blanda

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Michelangelo Auteri

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Francesco La Russa

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Salvatore Scimeca

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Rosalia D’Agostino

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Rosaria Disclafani

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Sara Villari

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Vittoria Currò

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Santo Caracappa

    (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are bloodsucking arthropods involved in pathogen transmission in animals and humans. Tick activity depends on various ecological factors such as vegetation, hosts, and temperature. The aim of this study was to analyse the spatial/temporal distribution of ticks in six sites within a peri-urban area of Palermo (Natural Reserve of Monte Pellegrino) and correlate it with field data using Geographical Information System (GIS) data. A total of 3092 ticks were gathered via dragging method from June 2012 to May 2014. The species collected were: Ixodes ventalloi (46.09%), Hyalomma lusitanicum (19.99%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (17.34%), Rhipicephalus pusillus (16.11%), Haemaphisalis sulcata (0.36%), Dermacentor marginatus (0.10%), and Rhipicephalus turanicus (0.03%). GIS analysis revealed environmental characteristics of each site, and abundance of each tick species was analysed in relation to time (monthly trend) and space (site-specific abundance). A relevant presence of I. ventalloi in site 2 and H. lusitanicum in site 5 was observed, suggesting the possible exposure of animals and humans to tick-borne pathogens. Our study shows the importance of surveillance of ticks in peri-urban areas and the useful implementation of GIS analysis in vector ecology; studies on temporal and spatial distribution of ticks correlated to GIS-based ecological analysis represent an integrated strategy for decision support in public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandra Torina & Valeria Blanda & Marcellocalogero Blanda & Michelangelo Auteri & Francesco La Russa & Salvatore Scimeca & Rosalia D’Agostino & Rosaria Disclafani & Sara Villari & Vittoria Currò & , 2018. "A Geographical Information System Based Approach for Integrated Strategies of Tick Surveillance and Control in the Peri-Urban Natural Reserve of Monte Pellegrino (Palermo, Southern Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-27, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:404-:d:133555
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    Cited by:

    1. Giovanni Benelli & Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan, 2019. "Together in the Fight against Arthropod-Borne Diseases: A One Health Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-3, December.

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