Factors responsible for Ixodes ricinus nymph abundance: are soil features indicators of tick abundance in a French region where Lyme borreliosis is endemic?

This study shows that humus type can be indicative of nymph abundance. Three types of humus were observed: (1) moder, (2) mull, and (3) mull-moder humus. One of them, moder humus, which is characterized by a thick layer of fragmented leaves, was found in multivariate analyses to be strongly associated with the nymph abundance. This study demonstrates that factors such as saturation deficit do not suffice to explain the differences in nymph abundance among sites. The composition of the soil and especially the type of humus should also be taken into consideration when assessing acarological risk.
Source: Ticks and Tick borne Diseases - Category: Zoology Source Type: research