Developmental stage and level of submersion in water impact the viability of lone star and winter tick eggs during flooding

Authors: ALHAWSAWI, MAHER - University Of Cincinnati; LEWIS, DAVID - University Of Cincinnati; FRIGARD, RONJA - University Of Cincinnati; SMITH, ELLEN - University Of Cincinnati; SIVAKUMAR, JAISHNA - University Of Cincinnati; SHARM, AJAY - University Of Cincinnati; NANTZ, ADALYNN - University Of Cincinnati; SABILE, CHLOE - University Of Cincinnati; KENNEDY, JASMINE - University Of Cincinnati; LONI, LONI - University Of Cincinnati; LEFEVRE, GABRIELLE - University Of Cincinnati; VAKA, AKSHITA - University Of Cincinnati; LEANZA, QUINN - University Of Cincinnati; KELLEY, MELISSA - University Of Cincinnati; STACEY, CRYSTAL - University Of Cincinnati; SANTHOSH, RICHA - University Of Cincinnati; CATLETT, NATE - University Of Cincinnati; CADY, TABITHA - University Of Cincinnati; RIZVI, RAAIDH - University Of Cincinnati; WAGNER, ZACH - University Of Cincinnati; Olafson, Pia; BENOIT, JOSHUA - University Of Cincinnati

Submitted to: bioRxiv
Publication Type: Pre-print Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2024
Publication Date: 5/18/2024
Citation: Alhawsawi, M., Lewis, D.A., Frigard, R., Smith, E.M., Sivakumar, J., Sharm, A., Nantz, A.R., Sabile, C., Kennedy, J., Loni, L., Lefevre, G., Vaka, A., Leanza, Q., Kelley, M., Stacey, C., Santhosh, R.A., Catlett, N., Cady, T., Rizvi, R., Wagner, Z., Olafson, P.U., Benoit, J.B. 2024. Developmental stage and level of submersion in water impact the viability of lone star and winter tick eggs during flooding. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.18.594128.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.05.18.594128

Interpretive Summary: Female ticks deposit large egg clusters that range in size from hundreds to thousands. These clusters are usually deposited under leaf litter and other debris.  These sites can be exposed to periodic flooding, where the cluster of tick eggs can float to the surface or remain underneath organic debris entirely underwater. Here, we examined the viability of egg clusters from winter ticks and lone star ticks when partially submerged or fully submerged in water in relation to the developmental stages of the eggs. In general, egg clusters that were older and partially submerged had a higher viability than fully submerged, young eggs in water. Lone star ticks were much more tolerant of water exposure between the two species. These studies highlight that egg clusters for specific tick species can remain viable when exposed to water for at least two weeks, especially since eggs can float on the surface. These studies suggest that water-based distribution of egg clusters could occur for some species, and flooding will differentially impact tick egg survival based on the specific developmental stage of exposure and tick species.

Technical Abstract: Female ticks deposit large egg clusters that range in size from hundreds to thousands. These clusters are restricted to the deposition site, usually under leaf litter and other debris.  These sites can be exposed to periodic flooding, where the cluster of tick eggs can float to the surface or remain underneath organic debris entirely underwater. Here, we examined the viability of egg clusters from winter ticks, Dermacentor albipictus, and lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum, when partially submerged or fully submerged in water in relation to the developmental stages of the eggs. In general, egg clusters that were older and partially submerged had a higher viability than fully submerged, young eggs in water. A. americanum was much more resistant to water exposure between the two species. These studies highlight that egg clusters for specific tick species can remain viable when exposed to water for at least two weeks since eggs can float on the surface. These studies suggest that water-based distribution of egg clusters could occur for some species, and flooding will differentially impact tick egg survival based on the specific developmental stage of exposure and tick species.