AI Article Synopsis

  • Researchers conducted 10-day experiments to observe the behavior of Ixodes ricinus nymphs using video-tracking, noting changes in activity based on environmental moisture levels.
  • The ticks demonstrated a switch from active seeking for hosts (questing) in dry conditions to a more inactive state (quiescence) in moist environments, particularly after dark.
  • The study revealed that these ticks can sense light intensity changes, allowing them to become active at night when the risk of desiccation is lower.

Article Abstract

The behaviour of Ixodes ricinus nymphs was recorded in 10-day experiments using computer-assisted video-tracking, in the absence of any host stimuli. These ticks switch spontaneously from questing in a desiccating atmosphere to quiescence in a water-saturated atmosphere after dark. Quantification of both questing and quiescence duration demonstrates that questing duration is inversely related to saturation deficit whereas quiescence duration is not. Distance walked after quiescence increased with desiccating conditions, while the distance walked after questing remained unchanged. Almost all locomotor activities of I. ricinus occurred during darkness under either a 14 h:10 h L:D or a 8 h:4 h L:D cycle. We established that all life stages of I. ricinus are equipped to sense shifts in light intensity with bilaterally placed strings of photoreceptors. This permits I. ricinus to use onset of darkness to trigger mobility when desiccation risk is reduced in nature.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.00345DOI Listing

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