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Rhipicephalus rossicus , a neglected tick at the margin of Europe: a review of its distribution, ecology and medical importance
Author(s) -
MIHALCA A. D.,
KALMÁR Z.,
DUMITRACHE M. O.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/mve.12112
Subject(s) - rhipicephalus sanguineus , biology , tick , dermacentor reticulatus , ecology , transmission (telecommunications) , host (biology) , zoology , rhipicephalus , range (aeronautics) , ixodidae , materials science , electrical engineering , composite material , engineering
Rhipicephalus rossicus ( I xodida: I xodidae) is a three‐host tick with a broad host spectrum that includes wild animals, pets, livestock and humans. Despite its local abundance in certain areas, most of the available information on R. rossicus was published decades ago, mainly by former soviet authors. Its distribution largely overlaps the E urasian steppe. However, its range may be more extensive than is currently known because this species may have been misidentified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus , principally in areas where the latter species is present. Although R. rossicus has been occasionally reported to feed on people, little attention has been given to its medical importance. It has been shown to have a vectorial role in the transmission of Francisella tularensis , C rimean– C ongo haemorrhagic fever virus and W est N ile virus. However, the vectorial importance of R. rossicus may be significantly greater, mainly as the closely related species R. sanguineus s.l. is known to transmit a very wide spectrum of pathogens. The probably underestimated vectorial role of R. rossicus may represent a hidden public health threat.