Subcutaneous ticks: first report in a golden jackal and their absence in non-canid carnivores

Subcutaneous ticks: first report in a golden jackal and their absence in non-canid carnivores | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Short report Subcutaneous ticks: first report in a golden jackal and their absence in non-canid carnivores Noureddine Mechouk, Georgiana Deak, Angela Monica Ionica, Dan Traian Ionescu, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-50745/v3 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 05 Jan, 2021 Read the published version in Parasites & Vectors → Version 3 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Abstract Background: Ticks are hematophagous arthropods which normally attach to the surface of the skin of the host. Their aberrant presence in the subcutaneous tissue of a few carnivores, predominantly foxes has been reported. However, there are no reports in other carnivores such as mustelids or golden jackals. Our aim was to investigate and broaden the host spectrum for this aberrant localization of ticks. Methods: Between 2015 and 2020, 198 carnivore carcasses from 12 species were examined by parasitological necropsy. When subcutaneous ticks were found, the nodules were removed, carefully dissected, and stored in ethanol. The morphological identification of the subcutaneous ticks was carried out to the species level. Results: A single subcutaneous tick was found in one carcass, a golden jackal. The tick was identified as a female Ixodes ricinus . All the other carcasses were negative for the presence of subcutaneous ticks. Conclusion: The present paper represents the first report of a subcutaneous tick in a golden jackal ( Canis aureus ), extends the host spectrum for this unusual phenomenon and reinforces its presence only in canids among carnivores. Parasitology Golden jackals Subcutaneous Ticks Romania Figures Figure 1 Figure 1 Background Ticks represent a large group of blood-sucking arthropods parasitic in a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, and occasionally in amphibians. Ticks are also important vectors for various pathogens [1]. A blood meal is required for molting, egg laying, and, in some species, preparation for mating [2]. Ticks typically attach to the external surface of the skin. However, there are reports of ticks being found in the subcutaneous tissue (Table 1). Most of the reports of subcutaneous ticks are from red foxes, with occasional findings in other carnivore hosts (a raccoon dog, and a domestic dog) (Table 1). So far, several hypotheses were suggested to explain the presence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue, but none of them has been confirmed by experimental studies. It is unknown if the number of reports and the relatively common occurrence of subcutaneous ticks in red foxes is related to some host preference or to more studies performed on this species. Hence, understanding the full host spectrum is important to fill in the knowledge gaps for this unusual phenomenon. It is also unclear why most of the reports are from Eastern and Central Europe and if this geographical bias is related to the fact that foxes are the most widespread and studied wild canids in this area. Nevertheless, during the last twenty years, the population of another canid, the golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) has increased significantly [3]. Golden jackals have an important role as reservoir hosts for parasites such as Leishmania infantum , Alaria alata , Dipylidium caninum , Mesocestoides lineatus , Trichinella spp., and Dirofilaria spp., but also as hosts for ticks [4]. Moreover, it is not clear if other wild carnivores such as mustelids can harbor subcutaneous ticks, as the lack of published reports could be a result of the lack of investigations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of subcutaneous ticks in various species of wild carnivores in a geographical area where this aberrant localization is known to be prevalent in red foxes, in order to elucidate the role of the host species. Materials And Methods Between 2015 and 2020, 198 wild carnivore carcasses from 12 species (57 golden jackals, 6 gray wolves, 19 wild cats, 2 Eurasian lynxes, 76 Eurasian badgers, 20 beech martens, 8 European polecats, 4 European pine martens, 3 Eurasian otters, 1 stoat, 1 European mink, 1 least weasel) (Suppl. material) have been examined by parasitological necropsy. Carcasses originated from road kills or legally hunted animals. The carcasses were stored at -20 °C until processing. The age of the animals was estimated based on the state of tooth wear [5] and sexual maturity [6]. The carcasses were checked for the presence of ectoparasites, then necropsied using a standard method, starting with the removal of the skin. When subcutaneous ticks were found, the nodules were removed, carefully dissected, and stored in ethanol. The identification of the subcutaneous ticks was carried out to the species level under an Olympus® binocular magnifier and was based on the taxonomic criteria according to dichotomous keys [1]. Results A single subcutaneous tick was found in one sample, a golden jackal collected from Comana Natural Park, Romania (Fig. 1). The nodule was found under the skin of the left inguinal area. The tick was in an advanced stage of decomposition. However, despite the state of tick degradation, the gnathosoma and a big part of the idiosoma were well preserved, and the tick was identified as a female Ixodes ricinus . No subcutaneous ticks were found in the other examined carcasses. Discussion The mechanism causing the subcutaneous localization of ticks is still unknown. Several tick-related factors such as the species or the sex were incriminated as favoring factors. A more common presence under the skin was noted for ticks with a long rostrum (i.e. Ixodes spp.) or ticks feeding for longer periods (adults in general and females in particular), which seem to be predisposing factors [7, 8]. Although it is evident that the vast majority of reports of subcutaneous ticks are from red foxes (Table 1), it is not clear if host-related factors are involved. The lack of reports from other hosts could be related to the actual absence of subcutaneous ticks or the lack of studies in other hosts. To understand the full host spectrum of this unusual occurrence, negative reports are also useful. However, with the exception of one study in roe deer [9], no other negative reports are known. We report here for the first time the presence of a subcutaneous tick in a golden jackal (frequency 1/57; 95% CI 0.04‒9.39%) and the absence in 11 other carnivore species. However, with the exception of few hosts, such as Eurasian badgers, beech martens and wild cats, the number of carcasses from other species was too low for a stronger conclusion. So far, with the exception of one human case, all other reports originate from canids, with high local prevalence in red foxes [7, 8]. The vast majority of these reports refer to ticks of the genus Ixodes (Table 1) but this may also be related to the more common occurrence of these ticks in red foxes [10, 11]. Conclusion The present paper reports a new host for the presence of subcutaneous ticks and confirms the canids as the single group of carnivores to show this phenomenon indicating a possible role of the host as a risk factor. We highlight the importance of further studies on other hosts, but also in other geographical regions. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable Consent for publication Not applicable Availability of data and materials The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interest. Funding The research was carried out under the frame of the UEFISCDI project PCCDI 57/2018. One of the authors was financially supported by Altius SRL Romania by a grant in order to support and promote research in Romania. Authors’ contributions NM wrote the manuscript and identified the tick species. GD performed the necropsies and revised the manuscript. CMG and AMI performed necropsies. DTI and GBC collected carnivore samples. ADM and CMG coordinated the study and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgements We are indebted to all the people who collected carnivore carcasses. References Estrada-Peña A, Mihalca AD, Petney TN (editors). Ticks of Europe and north Africa: a guide to species identification. Springer, 2018;1 — Oliver JH. Biology and systematics of ticks (Acari: Ixodida). Annu Rev Ecol. Syst. 1989;20:397 — Papp CR, Banea OC, Szekely-Sitea AL. Applied ecology and management aspects related to the golden jackal specific ecological system in Romania. Act Mus Maram. 2013;9:275 —292. Gherman CM, Mihalca AD. A synoptic overview of golden jackal parasites reveals high diversity of species. Parasit Vectors. 2017;10:419. Lombaard LJ. Age determination and growth curves in the black-backed jackal, Canis mesomelas Schreber, 1775 (Carnivora: Canidae). Ann Transv Mus. 1971;27(7):135 — Klevezal G, Kleinenberg S. Age determination of mammals by layered structure in teeth and bone (in Russian). Moscow Nauka; 1967. D’Amico G, Juránková J, Tăbăran FA, Frgelecová L, Forejtek P, Matei IA, et al. Occurrence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) in Czech Republic and Romania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017;8(2):309–312. Haut M, Król N, Obiegala A, Seeger J, Pfeffer M. Under the skin: Ixodes ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) from Germany. Parasit Vectors, 2020;13:189. Król N, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dobler G, Karliuk Y, Birka S, Obiegala A, et al. Tick burden on European roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) from Saxony, Germany, and detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in attached ticks. Parasitol Res. 2020; 119:1387–1392. Dumitrache MO, D'Amico G, Matei IA, Ionică A, Gherman CM, Barabási SS, et al. Ixodid ticks in red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) from Romania. Parasit Vectors. 2014;7:P1. Karbowiak G, Stanko M, Miterpaková M, Hurníková Z, Víchová B. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks parasitizing red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) in Slovakia and new data about subgenus Pholeoixodes Acta Parasitol. 2020; https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-020-00184 —4 (online ahead of print). Nuttall GHF. Penetration of Ixodes beneath the skin. Parasitology. 1914;7(3):258-259. Drozdz J. Penetration of Ixodes ricinus under the skin of the host. Acta Parasitol Polon. 1958;6:383 — Hinaidy HK. Ein weiterer beitrag zur parasitenfauna des rotfuchses Vulpes (L.), in Österreich. Zentralbl. Veterinarmed. B. 1976;23:66–73. Lebeda M. Findings of Ixodes ricinus in the deep layers of the skin and in the lymphatic ganglion (lymph node) of foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ). Vet Cas Bratislava. 1962;11:193 — Tovornik D. Penetracija klopov (Ixodidae) v globoke plasti kože gostitelja. Biol Vestnik. 1984;32:117 — Smith DD, Frenkel JK, Smith EI. Intradermal infestation of a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) by the lone star tick ( Amblyomma americanum ). J Wildl Dis. 1986;22(1):122–124. Pet’ko B, Stanko M. Finding of the tick Ixodes ricinus under the skin of a fox in Slovakia. Folia Vet. 1991;21:159–162. Zakrisson G. Ticks, Ixodes ricinus in the subcutaneous tissues of a dog and foxes (in Swedish). Svensk Veterinartidning. 2010;62:25–27. Dwużnik D. Ectoparasites of red fox ( Vulpes Vulpes ) with peculiar focus on ticks in the subcutaneous tissues. Ann Parasitol. 2019;65(Supplement1):s250. Matysiak A, Wasielewski O, Włodarek J, Ondrejkova A, Tryjanowski P. First report of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides . Vet Med-Czech. 2018;63(12):571 — Table Table 1. Review of reports of ticks in subcutaneous tissues of various hosts Host Species Country Reference Red fox Vulpes vulpes Ixodes ricinus Ixodes hexagonus UK [12] Ixodes ricinus Poland [13] Ixodes ricinus Austria [14] Ixodes ricinus Slovakia [15] Ixodes ricinus Slovakia [16] Amblyomma americanum USA [17] Ixodes ricinus Ixodes hexagonus Ixodes crenulatus Dermacentor reticulatus Czech Republic [7] Ixodes ricinus Romania [7] Ixodes ricinus Slovakia [18] Ixodes ricinus Sweden [19] Ixodes ricinus Dermacentor reticulatus Poland [20] Ixodes ricinus Ixodes hexagonus Ixodes canisuga Germany [8] Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides Ixodes ricinus Poland [21] Domestic dog Canis familiaris Ixodes ricinus Sweden [19] Golden jackal Canis aureus Ixodes ricinus Romania current study Supplementary Files Supplementarymaterial.xlsx Supplementarymaterial.xlsx Graphicalabstract.jpg Graphicalabstract.jpg Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 05 Jan, 2021 Read the published version in Parasites & Vectors → Version 3 posted Editorial decision: Accept 29 Nov, 2020 Editor assigned by journal 27 Nov, 2020 Submission checks completed at journal 27 Nov, 2020 Editor invited by journal 27 Nov, 2020 You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-50745","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Short report","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":5485523,"identity":"9fdfd88a-fda4-42c1-b60a-0f1a2f8af917","order_by":0,"name":"Noureddine Mechouk","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universite Badji Mokhtar Annaba","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Noureddine","middleName":"","lastName":"Mechouk","suffix":""},{"id":5485524,"identity":"bb8b60fc-20f7-4287-b3a5-bb3861981268","order_by":1,"name":"Georgiana Deak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"USAMV 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10:39:12","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":2619337,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Graphicalabstract.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-50745/v3/fba3caa2c607e125b70ead3c.jpg"},{"id":4093049,"identity":"b8b26541-2ace-4e04-83ff-a94fcf661e52","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2020-12-08 10:39:06","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":2619337,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Graphicalabstract.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-50745/v3/a0c3a0b8188749d1957c34a4.jpg"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Subcutaneous ticks: first report in a golden jackal and their absence in non-canid carnivores","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eTicks represent a large group of blood-sucking arthropods parasitic in a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, and occasionally in amphibians. Ticks are also important vectors for various pathogens [1]. A blood meal is required for molting, egg laying, and, in some species, preparation for mating [2].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTicks typically attach to the external surface of the skin. However, there are reports of ticks being found in the subcutaneous tissue (Table 1). Most of the reports of subcutaneous ticks are from red foxes, with occasional findings in other carnivore hosts (a raccoon dog, and a domestic dog) (Table 1). So far, several hypotheses were suggested to explain the presence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue, but none of them has been confirmed by experimental studies. It is unknown if the number of reports and the relatively common occurrence of subcutaneous ticks in red foxes is related to some host preference or to more studies performed on this species. Hence, understanding the full host spectrum is important to fill in the knowledge gaps for this unusual phenomenon. It is also unclear why most of the reports are from Eastern and Central Europe and if this geographical bias is related to the fact that foxes are the most widespread and studied wild canids in this area. Nevertheless, during the last twenty years, the population of another canid, the golden jackal (\u003cem\u003eCanis aureus\u003c/em\u003e) has increased significantly [3]. Golden jackals have an important role as reservoir hosts for parasites such as \u003cem\u003eLeishmania infantum\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAlaria alata\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDipylidium caninum\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMesocestoides lineatus\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTrichinella\u003c/em\u003e spp., and \u003cem\u003eDirofilaria\u003c/em\u003e spp., but also as hosts for ticks [4]. Moreover, it is not clear if other wild carnivores such as mustelids can harbor subcutaneous ticks, as the lack of published reports could be a result of the lack of investigations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of subcutaneous ticks in various species of wild carnivores in a geographical area where this aberrant localization is known to be prevalent in red foxes, in order to elucidate the role of the host species.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials And Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eBetween 2015 and 2020, 198 wild carnivore carcasses from 12 species (57 golden jackals, 6 gray wolves, 19 wild cats, 2 Eurasian lynxes, 76 Eurasian badgers, 20 beech martens, 8 European polecats, 4 European pine martens, 3 Eurasian otters, 1 stoat, 1 European mink, 1 least weasel) (Suppl. material) have been examined by parasitological necropsy. Carcasses originated from road kills or legally hunted animals. The carcasses were stored at -20 \u0026deg;C until processing. The age of the animals was estimated based on the state of tooth wear [5] and sexual maturity [6]. The carcasses were checked for the presence of ectoparasites, then necropsied using a standard method, starting with the removal of the skin. When subcutaneous ticks were found, the nodules were removed, carefully dissected, and stored in ethanol. The identification of the subcutaneous ticks was carried out to the species level under an Olympus\u0026reg; binocular magnifier and was based on the taxonomic criteria according to dichotomous keys [1].\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eA single subcutaneous tick was found in one sample, a golden jackal collected from Comana Natural Park, Romania (Fig. 1). The nodule was found under the skin of the left inguinal area. The tick was in an advanced stage of decomposition. However, despite the state of tick degradation, the gnathosoma and a big part of the idiosoma were well preserved, and the tick was identified as a female \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e. No subcutaneous ticks were found in the other examined carcasses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe mechanism causing the subcutaneous localization of ticks is still unknown. Several tick-related factors such as the species or the sex were incriminated as favoring factors. A more common presence under the skin was noted for ticks with a long rostrum (i.e. \u003cem\u003eIxodes\u003c/em\u003e spp.) or ticks feeding for longer periods (adults in general and females in particular), which seem to be predisposing factors [7, 8]. Although it is evident that the vast majority of reports of subcutaneous ticks are from red foxes (Table 1), it is not clear if host-related factors are involved. The lack of reports from other hosts could be related to the actual absence of subcutaneous ticks or the lack of studies in other hosts. To understand the full host spectrum of this unusual occurrence, negative reports are also useful. However, with the exception of one study in roe deer [9], no other negative reports are known.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe report here for the first time the presence of a subcutaneous tick in a golden jackal (frequency 1/57; 95% CI 0.04‒9.39%) and the absence in 11 other carnivore species. However, with the exception of few hosts, such as Eurasian badgers, beech martens and wild cats, the number of carcasses from other species was too low for a stronger conclusion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo far, with the exception of one human case, all other reports originate from canids, with high local prevalence in red foxes [7, 8]. The vast majority of these reports refer to ticks of the genus \u003cem\u003eIxodes\u003c/em\u003e (Table 1) but this may also be related to the more common occurrence of these ticks in red foxes [10, 11].\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present paper reports a new host for the presence of subcutaneous ticks and confirms the canids as the single group of carnivores to show this phenomenon indicating a possible role of the host as a risk factor. We highlight the importance of further studies on other hosts, but also in other geographical regions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research was carried out under the frame of the UEFISCDI project PCCDI 57/2018. One of the authors was financially supported by Altius SRL Romania by a grant in order to support and promote research in Romania.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNM wrote the manuscript and identified the tick species. GD performed the necropsies and revised the manuscript. CMG and AMI performed necropsies. DTI and GBC collected carnivore samples. ADM and CMG coordinated the study and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are indebted to all the people who collected carnivore carcasses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstrada-Pe\u0026ntilde;a A, Mihalca AD, Petney TN (editors). Ticks of Europe and north Africa: a guide to species identification. Springer, 2018;1 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOliver JH. Biology and systematics of ticks (Acari: Ixodida). Annu Rev Ecol. Syst. 1989;20:397 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePapp CR, Banea OC, Szekely-Sitea AL. Applied ecology and management aspects related to the golden jackal specific ecological system in Romania. Act Mus Maram. 2013;9:275 \u0026mdash;292.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGherman CM, Mihalca AD. A synoptic overview of golden jackal parasites reveals high diversity of species. Parasit Vectors. 2017;10:419.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLombaard LJ. Age determination and growth curves in the black-backed jackal, \u003cem\u003eCanis mesomelas\u003c/em\u003e Schreber, 1775 (Carnivora: Canidae). Ann Transv Mus. 1971;27(7):135 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKlevezal G, Kleinenberg S. Age determination of mammals by layered structure in teeth and bone (in Russian). Moscow Nauka; 1967.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD\u0026rsquo;Amico G, Jur\u0026aacute;nkov\u0026aacute; J, Tăbăran FA, Frgelecov\u0026aacute; L, Forejtek P, Matei IA, et al. Occurrence of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) in Czech Republic and Romania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017;8(2):309\u0026ndash;312.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHaut M, Kr\u0026oacute;l N, Obiegala A, Seeger J, Pfeffer M. Under the skin: \u003cem\u003eIxodes\u003c/em\u003e ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of red foxes (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) from Germany. Parasit Vectors, 2020;13:189.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKr\u0026oacute;l N, Chitimia-Dobler L, Dobler G, Karliuk Y, Birka S, Obiegala A, et al. Tick burden on European roe deer (\u003cem\u003eCapreolus capreolus\u003c/em\u003e) from Saxony, Germany, and detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus in attached ticks. Parasitol Res. 2020; 119:1387\u0026ndash;1392.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDumitrache MO, D'Amico G, Matei IA, Ionică A, Gherman CM, Barab\u0026aacute;si SS, et al. Ixodid ticks in red foxes (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) from Romania. Parasit Vectors. 2014;7:P1.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarbowiak G, Stanko M, Miterpakov\u0026aacute; M, Hurn\u0026iacute;kov\u0026aacute; Z, V\u0026iacute;chov\u0026aacute; B. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks parasitizing red foxes (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) in Slovakia and new data about subgenus \u003cem\u003ePholeoixodes\u003c/em\u003e Acta Parasitol. 2020; https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-020-00184 \u0026mdash;4 (online ahead of print).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNuttall GHF. Penetration of \u003cem\u003eIxodes\u003c/em\u003e beneath the skin. Parasitology. 1914;7(3):258-259.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrozdz J. Penetration of \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e under the skin of the host. Acta Parasitol Polon. 1958;6:383 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHinaidy HK. Ein weiterer beitrag zur parasitenfauna des rotfuchses \u003cem\u003eVulpes\u003c/em\u003e (L.), in \u0026Ouml;sterreich. Zentralbl. Veterinarmed. B. 1976;23:66\u0026ndash;73.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLebeda M. Findings of \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e in the deep layers of the skin and in the lymphatic ganglion (lymph node) of foxes (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e). Vet Cas Bratislava. 1962;11:193 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTovornik D. Penetracija klopov (Ixodidae) v globoke plasti kože gostitelja. Biol Vestnik. 1984;32:117 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmith DD, Frenkel JK, Smith EI. Intradermal infestation of a red fox (\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) by the lone star tick (\u003cem\u003eAmblyomma americanum\u003c/em\u003e). J Wildl Dis. 1986;22(1):122\u0026ndash;124.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePet\u0026rsquo;ko B, Stanko M. Finding of the tick \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e under the skin of a fox in Slovakia. Folia Vet. 1991;21:159\u0026ndash;162.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZakrisson G. Ticks, \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e in the subcutaneous tissues of a dog and foxes (in Swedish). Svensk Veterinartidning. 2010;62:25\u0026ndash;27.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDwużnik D. Ectoparasites of red fox (\u003cem\u003eVulpes Vulpes\u003c/em\u003e) with peculiar focus on ticks in the subcutaneous tissues. Ann Parasitol. 2019;65(Supplement1):s250.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatysiak A, Wasielewski O, Włodarek J, Ondrejkova A, Tryjanowski P. First report of ticks in the subcutaneous tissue of the raccoon dog \u003cem\u003eNyctereutes procyonoides\u003c/em\u003e. Vet Med-Czech. 2018;63(12):571 \u0026mdash;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Table","content":"\u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;'\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px; line-height: 115%; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eTable 1.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"line-height: 115%;\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;Review of reports of ticks in subcutaneous tissues of various hosts\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:102.52%;border-collapse:collapse;border:none;\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 25.32%;border: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHost\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-left: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-left: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-left: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"12\" style=\"width: 25.32%;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-left: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-top: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eRed fox\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eVulpes vulpes\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes hexagonus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eUK\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[12]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003ePoland\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[13]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eAustria\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[14]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eSlovakia\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[15]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eSlovakia\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[16]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmblyomma americanum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[17]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes hexagonus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes crenulatus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eCzech Republic\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[7]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eRomania\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[7]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eSlovakia\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[18]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eSweden\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[19]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDermacentor reticulatus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003ePoland\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[20]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes hexagonus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes canisuga\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eGermany\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[8]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 25.32%;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-left: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-top: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eRaccoon dog\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNyctereutes procyonoides\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003ePoland\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: 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normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e[19]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 25.32%;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-left: 1pt solid windowtext;border-image: initial;border-top: none;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eGolden jackal\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanis aureus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 32.7%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17.62%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"\u003eRomania\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 24.36%;border-top: none;border-left: none;border-bottom: 1pt solid windowtext;border-right: 1pt solid windowtext;padding: 0in 5.4pt;vertical-align: top;\"\u003e\n \u003cp style='margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height: normal;font-size:15px;font-family:\"Calibri\",sans-serif;text-align:justify;'\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;\"\u003ecurrent study\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003cbr\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"parasites-and-vectors","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"parv","sideBox":"Learn more about [Parasites \u0026 Vectors](http://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"13071","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/13071/3","title":"Parasites \u0026 Vectors","twitterHandle":"@bugbittentweets","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Golden jackals, Subcutaneous, Ticks, Romania","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-50745/v3","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-50745/v3","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e Ticks are hematophagous arthropods which normally attach to the surface of the skin of the host. Their aberrant presence in the subcutaneous tissue of a few carnivores, predominantly foxes has been reported. However, there are no reports in other carnivores such as mustelids or golden jackals. Our aim was to investigate and broaden the host spectrum for this aberrant localization of ticks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e Between 2015 and 2020, 198 carnivore carcasses from 12 species were examined by parasitological necropsy. When subcutaneous ticks were found, the nodules were removed, carefully dissected, and stored in ethanol. The morphological identification of the subcutaneous ticks was carried out to the species level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e A single subcutaneous tick was found in one carcass, a golden jackal. The tick was identified as a female \u003cem\u003eIxodes ricinus\u003c/em\u003e. All the other carcasses were negative for the presence of subcutaneous ticks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e The present paper represents the first report of a subcutaneous tick in a golden jackal (\u003cem\u003eCanis aureus\u003c/em\u003e), extends the host spectrum for this unusual phenomenon and reinforces its presence only in canids among carnivores.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Subcutaneous ticks: first report in a golden jackal and their absence in non-canid carnivores","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":3,"date":"2020-12-08 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