136 | Community structure of ixodid ticks in Mediterranean protected areas: a comparative study of four Sicilian woodlands

Paola Galluzzo¹, Ettore Napoli², Sergio Migliore², Federico Cangialosi¹, Elisa Maria Petta¹, Valeria Vaglica¹, Rosario Adragna¹, Davide Pepe¹, Francesca Gucciardi¹, Vincenza Cannella¹, Caterina Elen Culoma², Annalisa Guercio¹, Valeria Blanda¹ | ¹Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A Mirri”, Palermo, Italy; ²University of Messina, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Messina, Italy.

Hard ticks (Ixodidae) are among the most significant vectors of arthropod-borne pathogens in Europe [1]. In Mediterranean ecosystems, the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) is intricately linked to the presence and distribution of vectors, which are in turn modulated by host availability and favorable microclimatic conditions [2]. Despite Sicily’s strategic geographic position as a natural bridge between Africa and Europe, data on local tick ecology remain fragmented and largely focused on on-host specimens. Passive surveillance often fails to capture the full dynamics of off-host populations, necessitating active monitoring to understand the risks of pathogen circulation in areas where humans, livestock and wildlife coexist [3]. This study aims to investigate ixodid tick fauna in four protected woodlands in Sicily, to evaluate the effects of biotic and abiotic factors and the influence of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and fallow deer (Dama dama) on tick distribution, abundance and species richness. Active sampling was conducted monthly from April 2024 to August 2025 across four sites: Ficuzza Nature Reserve, Madonie Alte, Madonie Basse and Altiplano dell'Argimusco. Ticks were collected using standardized dragging and flagging techniques. Meteorological data (temperature, humidity, rainfall and saturation deficit) were obtained from local weather stations and portable thermo-hygrometers. Statistical analyses, including Welch’s ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and diversity indices (Shannon, Gini, Pielou), were employed to evaluate differences in abundance and richness across sites and seasons. A total of 1,200 ticks were collected, comprising 407 larvae, 474 nymphs, and 319 adults. Five genera were identified: Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Ixodes, and Hyalomma. Rhipicephalus bursa was the most abundant species overall. While total counts were higher in spring-summer (n=738) than in autumn-winter (n=462), no statistically significant difference in abundance per sampling event was found between seasons, except for an atypical peak at Altiplano dell'Argimusco during cooler months. Correlations between tick abundance and climatic variables were weak and inconsistent. Notably, species richness differed significantly among wild ungulate groups (p=0.015), with sites inhabited solely by wild boar harboring higher species richness than sites where both boar and deer were present. This study underscores the complexity of tick ecology in Mediterranean environments. The dominance of Rh. bursa and Hae. punctata reflects the influence of local host availability and climate. The results suggest that the presence of wild boar rather than fallow deer may be a determining factor in the structure of the tick community. The results emphasize the need for integrated surveillance in protected areas to monitor the potential for emerging tick-borne pathogen risks and the ecological shifts driven by proliferating ungulate populations.
This study was financially supported by the Italian Health Ministry (grant number: GR-2021-12373930).