A biological/medical review of alien tick species (Acari: Ixodida) accidentally transferred to Poland

Abstract

Alien tick species of the genera Ixodes, Amblyomma, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus are sporadically transferred to the territories of the Central European countries. A biological-medical review of the following alien tick species transferred to Poland is presented: Ixodes eldaricus, Ixodes festai, Amblyomma sphenodonti, Amblyomma exornatumn, Amblyomma flavomaculatum, Amblyomma latum, Amblyomma nuttalli, Amblyomma quadricavum, Amblyomma transversale, Amblyomma varanense, Hyalomma aegyptium, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus rossicus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The transfers of tick species out of the areas of natural distribution are divided into natural transfers (e.g., migration of ticks on hosts) and accidental transfers (e.g., resulting from the transport of livestock animals, trade in exotic animals, and transfers on animals during travel). It is important to monitor occurrence of unknown tick species on hosts in Poland.