Ticks and tick-borne pathogens from two populations of American black bear in eastern Oklahoma

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is an important mega-omnivore that recolonized the Ouachita mountain range and Ozark foothills in the state of Oklahoma in the mid-1980s.  The habitat for black bear is also important for several tick species in Oklahoma which are also known vectors for zoonotic diseases. These diseases may impact bear populations as well as other wildlife, livestock, humans and/or companion animals whose habitats or activities overlap with the bear. Currently, there is no information on the tick species parasitizing the black bear or pathogens transmitted by ticks on black bear in Oklahoma.  Between May and August 2014, in conjunction with radio-collaring efforts by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation, 1159 ticks were collected from 62 bear in the Ouachita mountain range and Ozark foothills in Oklahoma.  The primary species of tick in both locations is the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Other tick species identified were Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma maculatum. Ticks from each bear will be tested for presence of Ehrlichia species.  It is anticipated that the results will provide further insights into the role of black bear in local tick distribution as well as how ecological differences between the two regions impact tick abundance and distribution on black bear.