A case of massive infestation of a male green lizard Lacerta viridis/bilineata by castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Gomes, Veronica (author), Žagar, Anamarija (author), Carretero, Miguel A. (author)

Infestation by ticks affects several vertebrate groups, including reptiles. Castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread tick species. Here we report an impressive tick infestation of a male green lizard Lacerta viridis/bilineata found in 2012 in the vicinity of Bilpa cave in the Kolpa valley, Slovenia. Lizards as tick hosts can play an important role in the life cycle of I. ricinus and may also be potential vectors of Lyme disease.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Lacerta viridis/bilineata, Ixodes ricinus, tick, host, Slovenia
• Work type: Not categorized
• Typology: 1.03 - Short Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Year: 2013
• Number of pages: Str. 57-61
• Numbering: Letn. 15, št. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-76427
• UDC: 591
• ISSN on article: 1580-0814
• COBISS.SI-ID: 31153625
• Publication date in RUL: 21.12.2015

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Natura Sloveniae. revija za terensko biologijo
• Publisher: Zveza za tehnično kulturo Slovenije, Biotehniška fakulteta Univerze, Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo
• ISSN: 1580-0814
• COBISS.SI-ID: 102784768

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian

Abstract

Zaprarazitiranost s klopi je pogost pojav pri večini skupin vretenčarjev, tudi pri plazilcih. Najbolj razširjena vrsta klopa je gozdni klop Ixodes ricinus. Pri samcu zelenca Lacerta viridis/bilineata, ki smo ga ujeli leta 2012 v bližini jame Bilpa v dolini Kolpe, Slovenija, smo opazili izjemno močno zaparizitiranost z gozdnimi klopi. V splošnem so kuščarji gostitelji klopov in igrajo pomembno vlogo v življenjskem krogu vrste I. ricinus, hkrati pa so tudi potencialni vektorji borelije.

• Keywords: Lacerta viridis/bilineata, Ixodes ricinus, klop, gostitelj, Slovenija