A long-term study on free-ranging jaguar-tick interactions, featuring a novel report of Amblyomma incisum adult infestation

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Baggio-Souza, Vinicius ; May-Junior, Joares Adenilson ; Fagundes-Moreira, Renata ; Reis, Adeyldes Oliveira ; de Almeida, Bruno Albuquerque ; Fragoso, Carlos Eduardo ; Rampim, Lilian Elaine ; Sartorelo, Leonardo Rodrigues ; Haberfeld, Mario Buehrke ; Martins, Thiago Fernandes ; Labruna, Marcelo Bahia ; Soares, Joao Fabio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS; v. 48, n. 3, p. 6-pg., 2024-01-17.

Abstract

Over nearly 12 years, we collected ticks from free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca) and performed statistical analyses to comprehend the vector-host relationship throughout the seasons. We evaluated the presence and number of ticks, as well as their association with weight, age, and gender of captured jaguars in the Pantanal and Amazon biomes. Out of 100 captured jaguars (comprising 72 initial captures and 28 recaptures, with 41 females and 31 males), 77 were found to be infested by different tick species. We gathered a total of 1,002 ticks, categorized by the following species in descending order of abundance: Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma ovale, Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma incisum, and Amblyomma spp. larvae. Apart from weight, statistical analysis indicated that age, gender and seasonality does not significantly affect the presence of different tick species in free ranging jaguars. Notably, A. sculptum adults were more abundant in the first semester, while A. sculptum nymphs and Amblyomma spp. larvae were mainly found during dry months, aligning with their expected life cycle stages. This is the first long-term study in jaguars to correlate seasonality and host factors and also the first time an adult of A. incisum is reported infesting a jaguar. (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