Technische Universität Braunschweig Institute of Geoecology Landscape Ecology & Environmental Systems Analysis Langer Kamp 19c, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany dania.richter(at)tu-bs.de Tel.: +49 (0)531 391-5625
since 2013 Senior Research Scientist in Prof. Dr. Boris Schröder's Department of Landscape Ecology & Environmental Systems Analysis, Institute of Geoecology, TU Braunschweig
Research Scientist in Prof. Dr. Matuschka's Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Experimental and field studies on the molecular epizootiology of Lyme disease spirochetes and other tick-borne pathogens, strategies of prevention, adaptation and association of different spirochetes with various hosts, including the description of the Borrelia spielmanii
Visiting Lecturer at the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston
Research Associate at Prof. Dr. Andrew Spielman's Laboratory of Public Health Entomology, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston - Experimental studies on adaptation and interactions of host, vector and pathogen
Research Scientist in Prof. Dr. Matuschka's Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Pathology, Charité, Medical School of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Experimental and field studies on the transmission dynamics of tick-borne pathogens
Doctoral thesis "Humoral and Cellular Immune Response of Mice Vaccinated with Irradiated Cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni" at the Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and the Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Rudolf Virchow, Freie Universität Berlin, supervised by Prof. Dr. Donald Harn and Prof. Dr. Franz-Rainer Matuschka
Studies of Biology at the Freie Universität Berlin
Landscape-associated distribution of tick-borne pathogens
The distribution of pathogens transmitted by ticks or other blood-feeding parasites is directly influenced by environmental conditions affecting their vectors and their hosts. These conditions also determine whether and how such pathogens are introduced into new sites and whether they establish themselves there. In sites, where environmental conditions for hosts and vectors are optimal, transmission foci with an efficient pathogen transmission may develop. Anthropogenic impact on landscapes may improve the conditions for vectors and hosts and may result in an increased risk of infection. Therefore, understanding the complex interrelationships of pathogens, hosts and vectors may help to modify particular features of landscapes such that the cycle of transmission is interrupted in sites that are highly frequented by people.
Our research aims to identify biotic and abiotic factors that drive the natural transmission cycle of Lyme disease spirochetes and other tick-borne pathogens. The wood tick Ixodes ricinus serves as vector for these pathogens and is present throughout Germany. With laboratory experiments, in field studies and with various modelling approaches, we examine the interactions between wood ticks, their hosts and pathogens as well as their environmental adaptation.
In the BSc and MSC programmes Environmental Sciences (V = Lecture, S = Seminar, Ü = Exercise, Ex = Excursion, WiSe = in winter term, SoSe = in summer term)
Bachelor
VÜ Einführung in das Wissenschaftliche Arbeiten [Introduction to Academic Research] (Modul Allgemeine Qualifikationen) SoSe
S Wissenschaftliches Schreiben [Scientific Writing] (Modul Geoökologisches Seminar und Exkursion) WiSe
E Geoökologische Exkursion [Geoecological Excursion] (Modul Geoökologisches Seminar und Exkursion) SoSe
V Analyse von Umweltproblemen [Analysis of Environmental Problems] (Modul Allgemeine Qualifikationen) WiSe
Master
V Grundlagen der Biodiversität, Biogeographie und Ökosystemleistungen [Fundamentals in Biodiversity] (Modul Grundlagen der Biodiversität) WiSe
V Landschaftsepidemiologie [Landscape Epidemiology] (Modul Landschaftsepidemiologie) WiSe
S Landschaftsepidemiologie [Landscape Epidemiology] (Modul Landschaftsepidemiologie) WiSe
Ü Landschaftsepidemiologie [Landscape Epidemiology] (Modul Landschaftsepidemiologie) SoSe [see also this article in the TU Magazin]
Participation
S Literaturseminar [Literature Seminar] (Seminarmodul) WiSe/SoSe
V Ökologie für Umweltwissenschaftler [Ecology] (Module Ökologie für Ingenieure und Ökosphäre) WiSe
Richter D, Schneider A-K, Schibalski A, Dahlkamp A, Schröder B (2023): Features in and around residential gardens affecting the presence and abundance of questing Ixodes ricinus ticks. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology 13:1, 2207878, DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2023.2207878
2022
Steinigeweg C, Alkassab AT, Erler S, Beims H, Wirtz IP, Richter D, Pistorius J (2022): Impact of a microbial pest control product containing Bacillus thuringiensis on brood development and gut microbiota of Apis mellifera worker honey bees. Microbial Ecology doi: 10.1007/s00248-022-02004-w
2021
Steinigeweg C, Alkassab AT, Beims H, Eckert JH, Richter D, Pistorius J (2021): Assessment of the impacts of microbial plant protection products containing Bacillus thuringiensis on the survival of adults and larvae of the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Environmental Science and Pollution Research doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12446-3
2020
Raafat D, Mrochen DM, Al'Sholui F, Heuser E, Ryll E, Pritchett-Corning KR, Jacob J, Walther B, Matuschka F-R, Richter D, Westerhüs U, Pikula J, van den Brandt J, Nicklas W, Monecke S, Strommenger B, van Alen S, Becker K, Ulrich RG, Hoftreter S (2020): Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in wild, captive and laboratory rats: Effect of habitat on the nasal S. aureus population. Toxins 2020, 12(2), 80, doi: 10.3390/toxins12020080
2019
Wedekind-Grunert S, Schröder B, Richter D (2019): Basic reproduction number of Lyme disease spirochaetes - Modelling various genospecies-host associations in Central Europe. Ecological Modelling 411, 108821, doi: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2019.108821
Ehlers B, Anoh AE, Ben Salem N, Broll S, Couacy-Hymann E, Fischer D, Gedvilaite A, Ingenhütt N, Liebmann S, Martin M, Mossoun A, Mugisha L, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Pauly M, Pérez de Val B, Preugschas H, Richter D, Schubert G, Szentiks CA, Teichmann T, Walter C, Ulrich RG, Wiersma L, Leendertz FH, Calvignac-Spencer S (2019): Novel polyomaviruses in mammals from multiple orders and reassessment of polyomavirus evolution and taxonomy. Viruses 11(10). pii: E930. doi: 10.3390/v11100930
2018
Maaz D, Krücken J, Blümke J, Richter D, McKay-Demeler J, Matuschka F-R, Hartmann S, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G (2018): Factors associated with diversity, quantity and zoonotic potential of ectoparasites on urban mice and voles. PLoS One. 2018 Jun 25;13(6):e0199385. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199385
2017
Vollack K, Sodoudi S, Névir P, Müller K, Richter D (2017): Influence of meteorological parameters during the preceding fall and winter on the questing activity of nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks. International Journal of Biometeorology 61(10):1787-1795. doi: 10.1007/s00484-017-1362-9
2016
Maaz D, Rausch S, Richter D, Krücken J, Kühl AA, Demeler J, Blümke J, Matuschka F-R, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Hartmann S (2016): Susceptibility to ticks and Lyme disease spirochetes is not affected in mice coinfected with nematodes. Infection & Immunity 84(5):1274-1286. doi: 10.1128/IAI.01309-15
Fietz J, Langer F, Havenstein N, Matuschka F-R, Richter D (2016): The vector tick Ixodes ricinus feeding on an arboreal rodent-the edible dormouse Glis glis. Parasitology Reseach 115(4):1435-42. doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4877-1
2015
Ehlers B, Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Ulrich RG (2015): Genome sequences of a rat polyomavirus related to murine polyomavirus, Rattus norvegicus polyomavirus 1. Genome Announcements 3(5). pii: e00997-15. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.00997-15
2014
Fietz J, Tomiuk J, Matuschka F-R, Richter D (2014): Seasonal prevalence of Lyme disease spirochetes in a heterothermic mammal, the edible dormouse (Glis glis). Applied & Environmental Microbiology 80(12):3615-21. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00251-14
Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Spielman A, Mahadevan L (2013): How ticks get under your skin: insertion mechanics of the feeding apparatus of Ixodes ricinus ticks. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 280(1773):20131758. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2013.1758
Krücken J, Schreiber C, Maaz D, Kohn M, Demeler J, Beck S, Schein E, Olias P, Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Pachnicke S, Krieger K, Kohn B, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G (2013): A novel high-resolution melt PCR assay discriminates Anaplasma phagocytophilum and "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis". Journal of Clinical Microbiology 51(6):1958-61. 10.1128/JCM.00284-13
Richter D, Schröder B, Hartmann NK, Matuschka F-R (2013): Spatial stratification of various Lyme disease spirochetes in a Central European site. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 83(3):738-44. 10.1111/1574-6941.12029
Richter D, Kohn C, Matuschka F-R (2013): Absence of Borrelia spp., Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. Parasitology Research 112(1):107-11. doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-3110-8
Schwab J, Hammerschmidt C, Richter D, Skerka C, Matuschka F-R, Wallich R, Zipfel PF, Kraiczy P. (2013): Borrelia valaisiana resist complement-mediated killing independently of the recruitment of immune regulators and inactivation of complement components. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e53659. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053659
2012
Richter D, Debski A, Hubalek Z, Matuschka F-R. Absence of Lyme disease spirochetes in larval Ixodes ricinus ticks. Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases 12(1):21-7. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0668
Richter D, Matuschka F-R (2012): "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis," Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Lyme disease spirochetes in questing European vector ticks and in feeding ticks removed from people. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 50(3):943-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.05802-11
Schulz E, Gottschling M, Ulrich RG, Richter D, Stockfleth E, Nindl I (2012): Isolation of three novel rat and mouse papillomaviruses and their genomic characterization. PLoS One 7(10):e47164. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047164
2011
Richter D, Matuschka F-R (2011): Differential risk for Lyme disease along hiking trail, Germany. Emerging Infectious Diseases17(9):1704-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1709.101523
Richter D, Schlee DB, Matuschka F-R. Reservoir competence of various rodents for the Lyme disease Spirochete Borrelia spielmanii. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 77(11):3565-70. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00022-11
Song Y, Endepols S, Klemann N, Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Shih CH, Nachman MW, Kohn MH (2011): Adaptive introgression of anticoagulant rodent poison resistance by hybridization between old world mice. Current Biology 21(15):1296-301. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.06.043
2010
Richter D, Matuschka F-R (2010): Elimination of Lyme disease spirochetes from ticks feeding on domestic ruminants. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 76(22):7650-2. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01649-10
Dieterich R, Hammerschmidt C, Richter D, Skerka C, Wallich R, Matuschka F-R, Zipfel PF, Kraiczy P (2010): Inadequate binding of immune regulator factor H is associated with sensitivity of Borrelia lusitaniae to human complement. Infection & Immunity 78(11):4467-76. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00138-10
Ates L, Hanssen-Hübner C, Norris DE, Richter D, Kraiczy P, Hunfeld KP (2010): Comparison of in vitro activities of tigecycline, doxycycline, and tetracycline against the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks & Tick-Borne Diseases 1(1):30-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2009.11.004
Dietrich F, Schmidgen T, Maggi RG, Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Vonthein R, Breitschwerdt EB, Kempf VA (2010): Prevalence of Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 76(5):1395-8. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02788-09
2009
Teterina A, Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Ehlers B, Voigt S (2009): Identification of a novel betaherpesvirus in Mus musculus. Virology Journal 6:225. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-225
2008
Poggensee G, Fingerle V, Hunfeld KP, Kraiczy P, Krause A, Matuschka F-R, Richter D, Simon MM, Wallich R, Hofman H, Kohn B, Lierz M, Linde A, Schneider T, Straubinger R, Stark K, Süss J, Talaska T, Jansen A (2008): Lyme borreliosis: research gaps and research approaches. Results from an interdisciplinary expert meeting at the Robert Koch Institute. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 51(11):1329-39. doi: 10.1007/s00103-008-0703-6
2007
Ehlers B, Küchler J, Yasmum N, Dural G, Voigt S, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Jäkel T, Matuschka F-R, Richter D, Essbauer S, Hughes DJ, Summers C, Bennett M, Stewart JP, Ulrich RG (2007): Identification of novel rodent herpesviruses, including the first gammaherpesvirus of Mus musculus. Journal of Virology 81(15):8091-100. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00255-07
2006
Richter D, Matuschka F-R (2006): Modulatory effect of cattle on risk for Lyme disease. Emerging Infectious Diseases 12(12):1919-23. doi: 10.3201/eid1212.051552
Richter D, Matuschka F-R (2006): Perpetuation of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia lusitaniae by lizards. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 72(7):4627-32.doi: 10.1128/AEM.00285-06
Richter D, Postic D, Sertour N, Livey I, Matuschka F-R, Baranton G (2006): Delineation of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species by multilocus sequence analysis and confirmation of the delineation of Borrelia spielmanii sp. nov. International Journal of Systematic & Evolutionary Microbiology 56(Pt 4):873-81. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.64050-0
2004
Richter D, Schlee DB, Allgöwer R, Matuschka F-R (2004): Relationships of a novel Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia spielmani sp. nov., with its hosts in Central Europe. Applied & Environmental Microbiology 70(11):6414-9. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.11.6414-6419.2004
Richter D, Klug B, Spielman A, Matuschka F-R (2004): Adaptation of diverse Lyme disease spirochetes in a natural rodent reservoir host. Infection & Immunity 72(4):2442-4. doi: 10.1128/iai.72.4.2442-2444.2004
Looking into a tick's mouth. Scanning electron microscopy of the mouthparts of a femal wood tick Ixodes ricinus
How ticks bite - the mechanism of the insertion of the wood tick's mouthparts
The wood tick Ixodes ricinus serves as vector of various pathogens, such as Lyme disease spirochetes. It uses its mouthparts to penetrate the skin of its host and remain firmly attached during its blood meal for about a week. We recorded the insertion events by cinematography, interpreted the mouthparts’ function by scanning electron microscopy and identified their points of articulation by confocal microscopy. Initially, the two telescoping chelicerae pierce the skin and, by moving alternately, generate a toehold. Subsequently, a breaststroke-like motion, effected by simultaneous flexure and retraction of both chelicerae, pulls in the barbed hypostome. This combination of a flexible, dynamic mechanical ratchet and a static holdfast thus allows the tick to solve the problem of how to penetrate skin and also remain firmly anchored for long periods of time.
Publication: Richter D, Matuschka F-R, Spielman A, Mahadevan L. How ticks get under your skin - Insertion mechanics of the feeding apparatus of Ixodes ricinus ticks. Proc Roy Soc B, 2013, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2013.1758
Look into a tick’s mouth Apical view onto the feeding apparatus of a female Ixodes ricinus tick by scanning electron microscopy. The dorsal surface of the hypostome resembles a shallow basin (100µm across) and is fringed by rows of prominent, recurved denticles. The ventral surfaces of the paired cheliceral shafts roof the hypostome dorsally such that a “tube” is formed, channeling the flow of food into the oral opening of the tick and, vice versa, of tick saliva into the skin of the host. The cheliceral digits are splayed to the sides.
Cinematography of the bite of a nymphal tick
Animation “surface coursing” Each of the paired cheliceral bundles, extending beyond the tip of the hypostome, alternately flexes toward the centerline and then forcefully sweeps to the side.
Animation “cheliceral insertion” Each of the cheliceral bundles alternately extends to engage in the matrix of the skin and subsequently flexes at its hinge to bury into the skin
Animation “hypostomal envelopment” Simultaneous retraction of the flexed cheliceral bundles via breaststroke-like movement that causes both cheliceral shafts and their hinges to flex into a v-like form. This ratchet-like action causes the ventrally barbed hypostome to enter the skin of the host.
Confocal microscopic rendering of the hypostome, chelicerae and palps of a nymphal Ixodes ricinus tick
Opaque and transparent confocal microscopic rendering demonstrating the positions of the paired chelicerae of a nymphal Ixodes ricinus tick relative to the surface of a host and the articulation of the cheliceral digits within the chelicera
Opaque and transparent confocal microscopic rendering of the partially flexed cheliceral digits of a nymphal Ixodes ricinus tick demonstrating the curvature of the digital hooks and the opposing arcs of movement of the cheliceral bundles
