title: Density and spatial distribution of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) in two recreational areas in north coastal California.
abstract: The density and distribution of Ixodes pacificus was assessed at 2 parks in north coastal California. The density of I. pacificus adults and nymphs varied significantly between years, trails, and sides of trails. Adult ticks occurred on vegetation along sun-exposed trails in January through March, their density (0-1.93 per 20 m) correlated with brush density, trail width, and presence of an uphill slope. Nymphs (0.06-5.10 per 20 m) occurred in leaf litter along shaded trails in May-July. Adult I. pacificus were rare at picnic sites (0.00-0.24 per 20 m), but nymphal densities (0.93-2.37 per 20 m) were comparable with those along some shaded trails. The prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks (2.8% overall) did not differ significantly between locations, years, or stages. We conclude that the risk of acquiring Lyme disease in these sites is low, but varies among trails, seasons, and years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley 94720-3112, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Peavey
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002140:California; D018884:Ixodes; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009758:Nymph / Q000382:microbiology; D011156:Population Density; D015995:Prevalence; D051381:Rats; D011998:Recreation