Introduced Siberian chipmunks are more heavily infested by ixodid ticks than are native bank voles in a suburban forest in France

摘要: By serving as hosts for native vectors, introduced species can surpass in their role major reservoirs of local pathogens. During a 4-year longitudinal study, we investigated factors that affected infestation by ixodid ticks on both Siberian chipmunks Tamias sibiricus barberi and bank voles Myodes glareolus suburban forest (Foret de Senart, Ile-de-France). Ticks were counted adult young using regular monthly trapping sessions, questing quantified dragging. At the summer peak Ixodes ricinus availability, average tick load was 27–69 times greater than voles, while biomass per hectare similar. In chipmunks, individual effects significantly explained 31% 24% total variance larvae nymph burdens, respectively. Male harboured more nymphs females, juveniles born spring summer. The higher loads, specifically ratio over larvae, observed may be caused predisposition – terms susceptibility exposure to ticks. Tick burdens also related habitat seasonal variation age- sex-related space use rodents. Introduced thus have an important dynamics vector-borne pathogens compared with reservoir such voles.