Abstract

Background:
Ticks are important vectors of numerous diseases. Research into the presence and abundance of species, their distribution and ecology, as well as the presence of pathogens in them, is essential in the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases. Monitoring the species and abundance of ticks is a key way to determine the presence of existing and the establishment of new species in a certain territory. Data from regular, continuous, and comprehensive surveillance of the species best contributes to knowledge about the biology and nature of ticks in a particular habitat.

Case Description:
To date, there has been few tick surveillance studies in Montenegro, where there is scarce data on tick species presence and the pathogens they transmit to animals and humans. This research, conducted with the aim of monitoring tick species, determining their abundance, describing their biology and testing the presence of pathogens in them, showed that Ixodes hexagonus, in addition to other already described species, is present on the territory of Montenegro. Tick sampling was conducted using flagging and dragging methods and direct removal from animals between April and November 2024.

Conclusion:
Taking into account its ubiquity on the territory of Europe, as well as its vector capacity, the detection of I. hexagonus in Montenegro represents important information for future research on ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Key words: Identification; Ixodes hexagonus; Montenegro, Tick; Tick-borne diseases.