Ticks parasitizing cold-blooded animals from three different Brazilian biomes; with note for males of Amblyomma rotundatum

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Luz, Hermes Ribeiro ; de Campos, Carlos Eduardo Costa ; Costa-Junior, Livio Martins ; Santos, Ercileide Silva ; Hass, Adriani ; Sousa, Dauana Mesquita ; de Moares e Silva, Ruth Myrian ; Rocha, Josiane Moreira ; Albuquerque, George Rego ; Argolo, Antonio Jorge ; Zacariotti, Rogerio ; de Paula, Catia Dejuste ; Pereira, Luiz Cezar Machado ; Nicola, Patricia Avello ; Faccini, Joa Luiz Horacio ; Horta, Mauricio Claudio ; Nogueira, Rafael Michael Silva ; DallAgnol, Leonardo Teixeira ; Labruna, Marcelo Bahia ; Martins, Thiago Fernandes

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES; v. 15, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2024-07-15.

Abstract

Ticks parasitize a wide variety of wild animals, including amphibians and reptiles. In addition to the possibility of microorganism transmission to these hosts, ticks can also cause severe bleeding, and high parasitism can lead to death. Therefore, knowing the diversity of ticks parasitizing amphibians and reptiles is important for conservation and preservation measures for these vertebrates. In the present study, we report parasitism by ticks in amphibians and reptiles from different Brazilian biomes (Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest). Ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles deposited from the Herpetological Collection of the Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), Sao Lu & iacute;s (Maranhao State), the State University Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhe<acute accent>us (Bahia State), and the Federal University of Sao Francisco Valley (Univasf), Petrolina (Pernambuco State). Additionally, ticks were collected from amphibians and reptiles captured and road-killed in the Amazon biome, at Maranhao and Amap<acute accent>a States. Specimens of ticks were photographed under a Zeiss stereomicroscope (5.1 zoom). Map with the locations were made using the Qgis program. Overall, 1973 specimens of amphibians and reptiles were examined. A total of 927 ticks were collected: 98 larvae, 421 nymphs and 408 adults. Six species of ticks were identified: Amblyomma rotundatum and Amblyomma dissimile the most frequent, and Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma nodosum and Amblyomma humerale, occasionally. Surprisingly, a total of twelve males of A. rotundatum were collected. Here we report new records of association between cold-blooded animals and ticks and reinforce the absence of A. dissimile in the Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/03167-0 - Dichotomic and pictorial taxonomic key for larvae of the genus Amblyomma (Parasitiformes: Ixodidae) that occur in Brazil, using optical and scanning electron microscopy for description and morphological redescription of the larval stage
• Grantee: Thiago Fernandes Martins
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/05987-1 - Dichotomic and pictorial taxonomic key for larvae of the genus Amblyomma (Parasitiformes: Ixodidae) that occur in Brazil, using optical and scanning electron microscopy for description and morphological redescription of the larval stage
• Grantee: Thiago Fernandes Martins
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers