Source http www alexanderwild comInsectsInsectOrdersAmazingArachnidsisfr ZK 2 q2XLAmblyomma

Source: http: //www. alexanderwild. com/Insects/Insect-Orders/Amazing-Arachnids/i-sfr. ZK 2 q/2/XL/Amblyomma 2 -XL. jpg Ticks and Tick-Borne Illnesses of Alabama Emily Merritt and Dr. Graeme Lockaby

http: //ujszo. com/sites/default/files/photos/promoted/killancsallatban. jpg http: //media. npr. org/assets/img/2012/02/01/female 2_widef 852898 d 0 f 116 eabbe 286 f 78 c 40 ca 664 dc 836945 -s 6 -c 30. jpg http: //www. cdc. gov/ticks/life_cycle_and_hosts. html http: //www. billhubick. com/images/lonestar_tick_wi_md_20070727. jpg

Those who spend time outdoors are at risk of coming into contact with ticks http: //www. cdc. gov/ticks/life_cycle_and_hosts. html

? http: //www. cdc. gov/ticks/http: //www. media-group. com/images/Pacific-black-legged-tick-2. jpglife_cycle_and_hosts. html

Tick-Borne Illness in Alabama ▪ Ticks bite and infect humans, pets, and wildlife in Alabama ADPH reported cases of tickborne illness, 1992 -2014 § Symptoms treatable, can be lifethreatening or long-lasting Not much known about contributing factors of tick distributions or tick-borne illness prevalence in Alabama Kelly Stevens, unpublished data

Research Suggests… ▪ Warmer winters, enhanced host distributions expanding tick and TBI distributions extent? ▪ Urbanization forest fragmentation increased tick densities TBI risk? ▪ Fertile soils increased tick densities and TBI prevalence specifics? http: //farm 5. staticflickr. com/4031/4279523656_f 9 f 130337 d_z. jpg? zz=1 http: //lh 3. ggpht. com/-z 4 s_k. GJTI 0 g/To. Eei. VDc. Ln. I/AAAAEl 0/y. KIyz 8 Jwiyk/image%25255 B 5%25255 D. png? imgmax=800

For This Project… ▪ We will improve understanding of Alabama ticks and tick-borne illnesses by identifying factors that affect their presence, distribution, and prevalence • 3 -year project • Sample state and private lands: Cumberland Plateau, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont, Coastal Plain ▪ Ticks and blood from wildlife RMSF Lyme • Age, sex, weight STARI Ehrlichiosis ▪ Tick cloth drags ▪ Sweetgum foliage samples soil fertility

For This Project… ▪ We will examine tick species/TBI-environmental relationships: • Physiography • Vegetation • Elevation • Soil fertility • Climatic conditions • Burn regime • Protected vs. hunted • Season • Hosts • Land use/cover • Forest distribution/integrity

Products ▪ Factors that contribute to presence, distribution, prevalence ▪ TBIs affect wildlife? ▪ Hotspot maps locations and densities of ticks and their TBIs ▪ Predictive model for disease risk as a function of changing seasons, climate, habitats, extent and distribution of forests ▪ Public outreach events, seminars, publications Emily Merritt http: //www. caliper. com/Maptitude/Crime/Motor. Vehicle. Theft 2. png Emily Merritt

Goals ▪ Provide evidence that TBIs are present in wildlife throughout Alabama • Implications for wildlife? humans? § Information for medical professionals, state and federal agencies • ADCNR, ADPH, USFS, CDC § Arm residents with knowledge they need to avoid ticks, prevent illness, and get proper treatment § Extend research

What We Need ▪ 3 years of funding ▪ Pathogen analysis: $24, 000 • More funding = more TBIs ▪ Travel costs: $15, 000 • Car, food, lodging ▪ Materials and supplies: $5, 000 • Safety #1 concern ▪ Foliar analysis: $2, 000+ • More funding = more samples http: //ww 3. hdnux. com/photos/30/73/11/6533710/3/628 x 471. jpg

Thank You! http: //www. uark. edu/ua/arthmuse/images/museum_notes/Drtk 100. jpg