Citizen Science in der Zeckenforschung : ein Erfolgsmodell

Ticks are medically relevant as vectors for multiple pathogens. Besides Ixodes ricinus, which occurs ubiquitously throughout Europe, the meadow tick Dermacentor reticulatus is increasingly common. We used a Citizen Science approach to demonstrate the recent Germany-wide range expansion of this tick species, and to investigate its infection rate with Babesia canis, a canine pathogen causing potentially fatal disease. Travelling dogs seem to play a key role in spreading the vector and the pathogen.