Prevalence and seasonal variation in ticks on Muscardinus avellanarius from Germany (Rodentia: Gliridae)

Abstract

We sampled ticks infesting hazel dormice ( Muscardinus avellanarius ) between May 2017 and September 2017 at seven locations in Germany. Of a total of 221 dormice examined, 19% were infested by ticks, but the prevalence of infestation varied strongly between sites and months. The highest prevalence at one site was noted in September (55%) while the lowest was in July (0%). In June, prevalence differed between sites from 0% to 47%. Most frequently, dormice were infested by one tick. The maximum number of ticks found on one animal was 12. All ticks were detected on the head of the animals, where the most common feeding sites were ears, nose and the area around the eyes.