A snapshot of climate drivers and temporal variation of Ixodes ovatus abundance from a giant panda living in the wild

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2023

Abstract

Ticks and tick-borne diseases have negative impacts on the health of wild animals including endangered and vulnerable species. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a vulnerable and iconic flagship species, is threatened by tick infestation as well. Not only can ticks cause anemia and immunosuppression in the giant panda, but also bacterial and viral diseases. However, previous studies regarding tick infestation on giant pandas were limited in scope as case reports from sick or dead animals. In this study, an investigation focusing on the tick infestation of a reintroduced giant panda at the Daxiangling Reintroduction Base in Sichuan, China was conducted. Ticks were routinely collected and identified from the ears of the giant panda from March to September in 2021. A linear model was used to test the correlation between tick abundance and climate factors. All ticks were identified as Ixodes ovatus. Tick abundance was significantly different among months. Results from the linear model showed temperature positively correlated to tick abundance, while air pressure had a negative correlation with tick abundance. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first reported investigation of tick species and abundance on a healthy giant panda living in the natural environment, and provides important information for the conservation of giant pandas and other species sharing the same habitat.

Identifier

85149213902 (Scopus)

Publication Title

International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.02.005

ISSN

22132244

First Page

162

Last Page

169

Volume

20

Grant

2021CPB-B16

Fund Ref

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

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