Using Mark-Recapture to Estimate Population Size and Host Finding Behavior of Adult Ixodes Scapularis Ticks in Addison County, Vermont

Ixodes scapularis ticks exhibit a behavior called questing, in which they will actively seek out hosts from which to take a blood meal. Many common sampling methods take advantage of questing activity in order to collect ticks, and as such are technically surveying the questing pool rather than the true I. scapularis population. Ticks have two main reasons for leaving the questing pool: cessation of questing behavior after finding a host, or death. This study designed and implemented a mark-recapture procedure that utilized Jolly-Seber calculations alongside survival assays to determine the rate at which adult I. scapularis found hosts by comparing general shifts in questing pool size with observed mortality rates. A lack of recaptures prevented data analysis in the first sampling period, after which a post-mortem analysis was conducted to determine possible improvements to the methodology used. A systematic review of recapture rates in other I. scapularis studies was conducted, alongside a second iteration of the mark recapture procedure and tick mortality assays to test the effects of various marking methods on adult I. scapularis. While insufficient recaptures were obtained to utilize Jolly-Seber in both rounds of sampling, a solid protocol for the use of Jolly-Seber and survival assays was established. Additionally, a potential increase in tick mortality resulting from using nail polish as a marking method was observed but was not statistically significant.