Multi-source analysis reveals latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in range of Ixodes ricinus at its northern distribution limit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is increasing evidence for a latitudinal and altitudinal shift in the distribution range of <it>Ixodes ricinus</it>. The reported incidence of tick-borne disease in humans is on the rise in many European countries and has raised political concern and attracted media attention. It is disputed which factors are responsible for these trends, though many ascribe shifts in distribution range to climate changes. Any possible climate effect would be most easily noticeable close to the tick's geographical distribution limits. In Norway- being the northern limit of this species in Europe- no documentation of changes in range has been published. The objectives of this study were to describe the distribution of <it>I. ricinus </it>in Norway and to evaluate if any range shifts have occurred relative to historical descriptions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Multiple data sources - such as tick-sighting reports from veterinarians, hunters, and the general public - and surveillance of human and animal tick-borne diseases were compared to describe the present distribution of <it>I. ricinus </it>in Norway. Correlation between data sources and visual comparison of maps revealed spatial consistency. In order to identify the main spatial pattern of tick abundance, a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain a weighted mean of four data sources. The weighted mean explained 67% of the variation of the data sources covering Norway's 430 municipalities and was used to depict the present distribution of <it>I. ricinus</it>. To evaluate if any geographical range shift has occurred in recent decades, the present distribution was compared to historical data from 1943 and 1983.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Tick-borne disease and/or observations of <it>I. ricinus </it>was reported in municipalities up to an altitude of 583 metres above sea level (MASL) and is now present in coastal municipalities north to approximately 69°N.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>I. ricinus </it>is currently found further north and at higher altitudes than described in historical records. The approach used in this study, a multi-source analysis, proved useful to assess alterations in tick distribution.</p

Report of the Saithe (Polliachius virens, L.) Otolith Exchange 2013

The ICES Planning Group on Commercial Catch, Discards and Biological Sampling (PGCCDBS) identified the need of a Saithe (Polliachius virens) otolith exchange to take place in 2013. It was the second exchange after that’s of 2008. The IFREMER institute coordinated this exchange. A total of 295 fish was sampled from the Barent sea (ICES area : IIa, N=24), from the North Sea (ICES area : IV, N=34) and from the Western Scotland (ICES area : VIa, N=237). The length range of the fish was between 37 and 96 cm, with mean 60 cm. 13 readers from 5 countries (France, Germany, Iceland, Sweden & Norway) were participated. Mean precision of age estimate for individual fish were Coefficient of Variation (CV) of 6.2% and percent agreement to modal age of 85.9. Among 298 fish, 54 were read with 100% agreement (18%) and thus a CV of 0%. There were variations in precision of age estimate between individual fish, with CV ranging from 0 to 27% and percent agreement range from 40 to 100% (Tab. 2). Precision of Age estimation from the North Sea was not as good as than those of the others areas. However, the size and age of fish from the North Sea were bigger than those of the others areas. The differences are primarily explained by the position and the number of rings after the eighth and closed the edge