Significance of ixodid tick (Parasitiformes, Ixodidae) population structure for maintenance of natural foci of infection

Basic postulates of the theory of natural focality of infections are considered in terms of modern ecological parasitology using the example of Ixodes ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks, the main vectors of tickborne encephalitis and borrelioses in Eurasia. Consideration is given to data on the population structure of ticks, their distribution in ecosystems, abundance, mortality at different stages of the life cycle, seasonal dynamics of activity, occurrence on different vertebrate species, relationships with potential hosts, and connections agents of infections. Due to long individual life span and development of one generation over 3-6 years, tick vector provide not only for transmission of pathogens, but also for their long-term storage and amplification. Several alternative routes of tick infection of ticks provide for pathogen exchange between individuals at different phases of development within one generation and between feeding ticks of different generations.