Interactive database on the distribution of ticks in Russia

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to develop software for collecting and summarizing literature data on the distribution of ixodid tick species and, based on this data, to create a database of tick findings in Russia.

Materials and methods. The data used for this study were published in scientific articles. The computer database (DB) and its user interface are implemented in MS Access. The necessary software components are implemented in VBA modules.

Results and discussion. A program was developed with an initial push-button form that allows entering data into the database or obtaining information about existing information. A form for entering and editing literary sources and a message description form are available for entering data from literary sources. Data on infeсtion (infeсtion prevalence, %) for each tick species and the species' share of the total collection (dominance index, %) are recorded. In addition to its core, the database structure includes external tables (for example, a list of ixodid tick species and a list of administrative territorial units of Russia). The program functions as a standalone application. The database contains information on 66 ixodid tick species from 138 literature sources: 21 species of the genus Ixodes, 12 species of the genus Haemaphysalis, 10 species of the genus Hyalomma, 9 species of the genus Dermacentor, 7 species of the genus Rhipicephalus, 2 species of the genus Boophilus, 2 species of the genus Amblyomma, and 1 species of the genus Anomalohimalaja. The species with the greatest number of registration reports are Ixodes persulcatus (89 literature sources), Dermacentor reticulatus (71), I. ricinus (62), and D. marginatus (71). The distribution of the species in 48 regions of Russia is shown.