Proc Biol Sci November 2009 PMID 19692412

Hosts as ecological traps for the vector of Lyme disease.

F Keesing, J Brunner, S Duerr, M Killilea, K Logiudice, K Schmidt, H Vuong, R S Ostfeld

Mentions

89
Peak: 21 in Apr 2019
across 6 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

1,201,607
potential audience

Total likes

15,919

Video views

944,609

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter60 posts
  • Facebook11 posts
  • News11 articles
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group collectively shows strong interest and moderate engagement with discussions referencing animations and videos about symbiosis and Lyme disease, emphasizing concepts like ecological traps and biodiversity's role in disease spread. For example, mentions of animations by @StatedClearly and explanations involving opossums eating ticks demonstrate how the discussions are not only supportive but also aimed at spreading understanding, which enhances the perceived impact of the research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings about hosts acting as ecological traps influencing tick populations, reflecting general agreement with the article.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts express curiosity and enthusiasm, sharing animations and videos explaining concepts like symbiosis and Lyme disease, indicating high interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include references to specific studies, animations, and videos, showing active engagement and effort to understand and share the research.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the importance of understanding ecology's role in disease spread, suggesting the content could influence public awareness and future research.

Abstract in brief

  • The study found that certain vertebrate hosts, like opossums and squirrels, can kill a large percentage of blacklegged ticks that feed on them, thus potentially reducing tick populations, while other species allow more ticks to survive.
  • Researchers demonstrated that the types of hosts available in an environment can influence the abundance of Lyme disease vectors, with some hosts acting as ecological traps that kill many ticks and others supporting more tick survival.
  • The loss of biodiversity, especially the disappearance of hosts that are more effective at killing ticks, may increase the risk of Lyme disease by allowing larger tick populations and higher infection rates to develop.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Molly מלכה Cohn
@MollyCohn · X

@USFWS @danice_danis more specifically, the 2009 study assumed that behavior in captivity = behavior in the wild, which of course isn’t true original study: https://t.co/oGOMM2XyHQ new study: https://t.co/vFBGiZoXk8

Feb 9, 2023 · 22 likes · 2 shares · 383 followers View post →
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 13 likes · 7 shares · 55,300 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Symbiosis! You can learn about it here: https://t.co/YYk0dt7evT https://t.co/2xsrnfJ95n

Oct 6, 2022 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 4,574 followers View post →
Stuart West
@StuWest8 · X

Super cool animation on Symbiosis by @StatedClearly, and the continuum from nasty parasites to lovely mutualists https://t.co/QOwlbNg5xu https://t.co/Gtrk87wsF6

Nov 13, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 2,152 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Symbiosis is the "long-term living together of unlike organisms". Here we explore how symbiotic relationships evolve over time. https://t.co/ZmNH4rIitY https://t.co/TY2oRnvG9l

Nov 21, 2022 · 5 likes · 4,574 followers View post →
UMN School of Public Health
@PublicHealthUMN · X

Lyme disease is spreading like wildfire around the world: here's what researchers, including School of Public Health professor Jon Oliver, are doing to stop it. https://t.co/iMId1k0Wb5 via @MinuteEarth #LymeDisease

May 6, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 15,918 followers View post →

All mentions

Survive
@svcPcEG59SRnPHt · X

フクロギツネ(オポッサムたん)可愛い マダニの吸血先だけどライム病ボレリアをほとんど感染させにくい子。多摩動物公園で会えるみたい Hosts as ecological traps for the vector of Lyme disease https://t.co/TixGOB7fec

Mar 25, 2025 · 109 followers View post →
Jimmer
@jmheatherly.bsky.social · Bluesky

"What Is Symbiosis?" #StatedClearly youtu.be/eChtyqSqUIs?...

Mar 25, 2025 View post →
Main
@loweka2 · X

⁦@DOGE⁩ https://t.co/aRdxfuVgOo

Feb 20, 2025 · 31 followers View post →
Roland Kays
@RolandKays · X

@GinaGoesOutside Ticks aren’t likely to show up in stomach contents, especially given their teeth. here’s the study. It was an experiment in captivity but is still compelling https://t.co/0kkDmAUvPS

Jan 25, 2024 · 2 likes · 8,721 followers View post →
gaychangeling
@gaychangeling · X

RT @MollyCohn: @USFWS @danice_danis more specifically, the 2009 study assumed that behavior in captivity = behavior in the wild, which of c…

Feb 9, 2023 · 2 shares · 240 followers View post →
Molly מלכה Cohn
@MollyCohn · X

@USFWS @danice_danis more specifically, the 2009 study assumed that behavior in captivity = behavior in the wild, which of course isn’t true original study: https://t.co/oGOMM2XyHQ new study: https://t.co/vFBGiZoXk8

Feb 9, 2023 · 22 likes · 2 shares · 383 followers View post →
JMHeatherly
@JMychal90 · X

"What Is Symbiosis?" https://t.co/8QrfPOFHMm https://t.co/MI7k9eIOQo

Dec 14, 2022 · 1 like · 1,264 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Symbiosis is the "long-term living together of unlike organisms". Here we explore how symbiotic relationships evolve over time. https://t.co/ZmNH4rIitY https://t.co/TY2oRnvG9l

Nov 21, 2022 · 5 likes · 4,574 followers View post →
JMHeatherly
@JMychal90 · X

#StatedClearly "What Is Symbiosis?" https://t.co/8QrfPOo6nM

Oct 17, 2022 · 1,264 followers View post →
Ellis
@ellis204 · X

RT @StatedClearly: Symbiosis! You can learn about it here: https://t.co/YYk0dt7evT https://t.co/2xsrnfJ95n

Oct 6, 2022 · 3 shares · 162 followers View post →
Clara B. Jones
@cbjones1943 · X

RT @StatedClearly: Symbiosis! You can learn about it here: https://t.co/YYk0dt7evT https://t.co/2xsrnfJ95n

Oct 6, 2022 · 3 shares · 179 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

RT @StatedClearly: Symbiosis! You can learn about it here: https://t.co/YYk0dt7evT https://t.co/2xsrnfJ95n

Oct 6, 2022 · 3 shares · 7,680 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

Symbiosis! You can learn about it here: https://t.co/YYk0dt7evT https://t.co/2xsrnfJ95n

Oct 6, 2022 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 4,574 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

@sygarte If by morality you mean "the golden rule", Omicron's mildness seems to be COVID's mindless evolution of morality. There's a vast literature exploring this. Let these three vids be your guide: https://t.co/lLdPyjNxbJ https://t.co/9RnypSnxwN https://t.co/zETwzJUdiu

Jan 31, 2022 · 2 likes · 4,574 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

And the least watched Stated Clearly animation this year. I guess people just really hate ticks? https://t.co/zETwzJUdiu

Dec 31, 2021 · 1 like · 4,574 followers View post →
Lalit Kumar Das (Humanism my Caste) in India
@DasLalit · X

Some help themselves not caring what happens to others. Others help themselves while ensuring it does not harm others. Still others help themselves in manner that it benefits the other also. This how nature works. https://t.co/kisQlJb60s

Nov 18, 2021 · 254 followers View post →
PestGeekPodcast
@PestGeekPodcast · X

A study reveals the viability of using Opossums to control ticks. Hosts as ecological traps for the vector of Lyme disease https://t.co/6SG0GxsO8E

Dec 19, 2020 · 1 like · 450 followers View post →
すしを届ライさん(すしイ)
@LA12631311 · X

@nomuisan 共生には助け合いというニュアンスが着きがちなのだな。 ところが、共生(synbiosis)という言葉には「異なる生命が長期的に寄り添い合う関係」という意味しかなくて、それぞれの生命がエゴで動いた結果がお互い益になるか害になるかは場合によるのだ。 https://t.co/H43ZXvIEi1

Nov 26, 2020 · 1,793 followers View post →
Technical Love
@TechnischeLove · X

the secret of #ETERNITY https://t.co/fFSo4Lf9zt

May 11, 2020 · 378 followers View post →
Guillaume Chomicki
@Chomicki_G · X

RT @StuWest8: Super cool animation on Symbiosis by @StatedClearly, and the continuum from nasty parasites to lovely mutualists https://t.co…

Nov 13, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,419 followers View post →
Elisa Granato
@Prokaryota · X

RT @StuWest8: Super cool animation on Symbiosis by @StatedClearly, and the continuum from nasty parasites to lovely mutualists https://t.co…

Nov 13, 2019 · 2 shares · 27,430 followers View post →
Stuart West
@StuWest8 · X

Super cool animation on Symbiosis by @StatedClearly, and the continuum from nasty parasites to lovely mutualists https://t.co/QOwlbNg5xu https://t.co/Gtrk87wsF6

Nov 13, 2019 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 2,152 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

@CamZoology @ACCE_DTP While I'm not looking to get a PhD, I would love to help report on what you find out! I just did an animation on this topic and would love to do more: https://t.co/zETwzJUdiu

Nov 10, 2019 · 4,574 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

As you recover from last night's sugar rush (or binge drinking), you might enjoy our recent animation on the horrors of symbiosis: https://t.co/zETwzKbOa2

Nov 1, 2019 · 2 likes · 4,574 followers View post →
Saúl Huitzil
@saul_huitzil · X

RT @StatedClearly: New animation! What is symbiosis? Hint it's crazier than you think: https://t.co/zETwzJUdiu

Oct 16, 2019 · 1 share · 157 followers View post →
Real Skeptic
@RealSceptic · X

What is Symbiosis? https://t.co/Kul1H5i6up

Oct 9, 2019 · 49 followers View post →
Charlie Kruse
@TheCharlieKruse · X

What is Symbiosis? https://t.co/nwMP1JnUbQ via @YouTube

Oct 7, 2019 · 1 like · 6,142 followers View post →
Jon
@TradWolverine · X

Oct 7, 2019 · 163 followers View post →
Bill Howard
@BillHoward0 · X

What is Symbiosis? https://t.co/BOe2LP5yOT

Oct 7, 2019 · 30 followers View post →
Stated Clearly - Jon Perry
@StatedClearly · X

New animation! What is symbiosis? Hint it's crazier than you think: https://t.co/zETwzJUdiu

Oct 7, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,574 followers View post →
Criticizing Feminism
@criticfemism · X

[Stated Clearly] What is Symbiosis? https://t.co/wdIHr3D399

Oct 7, 2019 · 505 followers View post →
Mayda Nathan
@MaydaNathan · X

All opossum-tick roads lead to this one study, published in 2009 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: https://t.co/dU4EOVr9Oq

Oct 1, 2019 · 263 followers View post →
Gail Turley
@AuntInAZ · X

@RMMichaels @carolynkephart @MotherJones They are known for eating ticks. This MJ article, for example, mentions an opposum eats an average 5,000 ticks per season. /Hosts as ecological traps for the vector of Lyme disease | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences https://t.co/elVoxxWCmv

Jul 26, 2019 · 1,195 followers View post →
mamba YUSUFÇUK
@MambaYusufcuk · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/iQZYJ8gxWk @YouTube aracılığıyla

Jun 18, 2019 · 1,528 followers View post →
MCVmag
@MCVmag · X

RT @UMNExtNR: Why is Lyme disease getting worse? Watch this video from @MinuteEarth for some answers. https://t.co/PtOwzhr9zP

May 8, 2019 · 1 share · 1,050 followers View post →
UMN Extension Natural Resources
@UMNExtNR · X

Why is Lyme disease getting worse? Watch this video from @MinuteEarth for some answers. https://t.co/PtOwzhr9zP

May 8, 2019 · 1 share · 509 followers View post →
Cristian
@MDveter · X

RT @PublicHealthUMN: Lyme disease is spreading like wildfire around the world: here's what researchers, including School of Public Health…

May 6, 2019 · 1 share · 607 followers View post →
UMN School of Public Health
@PublicHealthUMN · X

Lyme disease is spreading like wildfire around the world: here's what researchers, including School of Public Health professor Jon Oliver, are doing to stop it. https://t.co/iMId1k0Wb5 via @MinuteEarth #LymeDisease

May 6, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 15,918 followers View post →
Sad MRSA Ⓥ
@sadmrsa · X

Why is Lyme disease a big deal in suburbs & cities? https://t.co/f9rasuivCo

May 5, 2019 · 225 followers View post →
Cary Institute
@caryinstitute · X

@JohnMcDonald67 @NWF @Garden4Wildlife @NWFMidAtlantic @JohnMcDonald67 it comes from this paper: Hosts as ecological traps for the vector of Lyme disease, Proc Biol Sci, 2009 Nov 22; 276(1675): 3911–3919 Available online: https://t.co/cTE3P9DLrw

May 1, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,886 followers View post →
Zach Strange
@ZachStrange1 · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/8JdBbqT0T2 via @YouTube

May 1, 2019 · 120 followers View post →
Quartz Quantum
@SereGcrAura · X

RT @geeksaresexy: Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/VhPf99KQnd https://t.co/iKgnrzVbcZ

Apr 24, 2019 · 1 share · 341 followers View post →
Geeks are Sexy
@geeksaresexy · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/VhPf99KQnd https://t.co/iKgnrzVbcZ

Apr 24, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 71,121 followers View post →
Cecile Braconnier
@braco001 · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/BDtxygv3x8

Apr 24, 2019 · 738 followers View post →
Mr. Cable
@CableBiologyRHS · X

RT @MinuteEarth: NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 7 shares · 194 followers View post →
Na.
@Naim_Afandii · X

https://t.co/938OjTx2Vl

Apr 22, 2019 · 30 followers View post →
Jimmy Daspit
@Treasurecolecto · X

https://t.co/JpeWz7R5z5

Apr 22, 2019 · 2,633 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? @ https://t.co/qotJbcHlpr https://t.co/jgY1rh91V6

Apr 22, 2019 · 117 followers View post →
gaasuba
@Gaasuba · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/158uIsr9lv

Apr 22, 2019 · 184 followers View post →
JanPieter
@JanPieter · X

Hmm, het probleem bij de verspreiding vd ziekte van Lyme zit 'm dus niet alleen in teken, maar ook bij muizen

Apr 22, 2019 · 317 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/W0VyyA4558 via @YouTube

Apr 22, 2019 · 3,222 followers View post →
Farzat Al Chayah
@farzatalchayah · X

داء لايم وانتشاره حاليًا https://t.co/UuDXz1Oj94

Apr 22, 2019 · 1,776 followers View post →
Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

RT @MinuteEarth: NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 7 shares · 291 followers View post →
POPTOP #science
@poptopitscience · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/nRDqXvoMOX #science #learning

Apr 22, 2019 · 22 followers View post →
Jane Smith
@JaneSmith1921 · X

RT @MinuteEarth: NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 7 shares · 33 followers View post →
Alex Reich
@alexhreich · X

RT @MinuteEarth: NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 7 shares · 511 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? Thanks to the University of Minnesota for sponsoring this video! https://t.co/Sh8sj1s9dH Lyme disease is spreading like wildfire around the world: here's why. Thanks also to our Patreon patrons … https://t.co/qotJbcHlpr https://t.co/98OsJzZ3Be

Apr 22, 2019 · 117 followers View post →
Albert Zweistein
@al_zweistein · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/7bS241ng7h via @YouTube

Apr 22, 2019 · 206 followers View post →
Adam Ginourie
@Ginourie · X

Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/f0iNJ6oN8J via @YouTube

Apr 22, 2019 · 152 followers View post →
Erick de la Barrera
@erickdlbm · X

RT @MinuteEarth: NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 7 shares · 1,276 followers View post →
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

NEW VIDEO! Why Is Lyme Disease Getting Worse? https://t.co/UzqS0bLX3w https://t.co/yAEkzScY7G

Apr 22, 2019 · 13 likes · 7 shares · 55,300 followers View post →