Community ecology and disease risk: lizards, squirrels, and the Lyme disease spirochete in California, USA

• DOI: 10.1890/08-2106.1
• Publication Date: 2010-02-24T22:18:57Z
• Authors: Daniel J. Salkeld; Robert S. Lane
• Keywords: Sciurus; Sciurus carolinensis; Ixodes scapularis; Wood mouse

Vector‐borne zoonotic diseases are often maintained in complex transmission cycles involving multiple vertebrate hosts and their arthropod vectors. In the state of California, USA, spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi , which causes Lyme disease, is transmitted between by western black‐legged tick, Ixodes pacificus. Several mammalian species serve as reservoir spirochete, but levels tick infestation, competence, Borrelia‐ infection prevalence vary widely among such hosts. Here, we model host (lizards, Peromyscus mice, Californian meadow voles, dusky‐footed wood rats, gray squirrels), vector, pathogen community oak woodlands northwestern California to determine relative importance different Observed B. host‐seeking I. pacificus nymphs was 1.8–5.3%, our host‐community estimated an 1.6–2.2%. The squirrel ( Sciurus griseus ) only source infected nymphs. Lizards, refractory infection, important feeding subadult ticks reduce disease risk (nymphal prevalence). Species identity therefore critical understanding determining local ecology.