How far north are migrant birds transporting the tick Ixodes scapularis in Canada? Insights from stable hydrogen isotope analyses of feathers.

Author:

Ogden, NH, Barker, IK, Francis, CA, Heagy, A, Lindsay, LR, and Hobson, KR

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2015-06

Journal/Series title:

Ticks Tick Borne Dis.

URL:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26100493

Abstract:

This study indicates that many I. scapularis-carrying migratory birds in spring have destinations far north in Canada, including some farther north than the current region of climatic suitability for I. scapularis. These findings support the hypothesis that I. scapularis may continue to be spread north by spring migrating passerines. Some thrush species may be particularly implicated in far northward dispersion of I. scapularis.