| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Szabo, M. P. J.
[1]
;
Martins, T. F.
[2]
;
Nieri-Bastos, F. A.
[2]
;
Spolidorio, M. G.
[2]
;
Labruna, M. B.
[2]
Total Authors: 5
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Fed Uberlandia, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES; v. 3, n. 4, p. 262-264, 2012. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 4 |
| Abstract | |
As ticks spend most of their time off-host, the environment is a major selective force of these parasites. In fact, human impact on landscapes has favored a minority of tick species which became well-known pests. However, this is an ongoing process and novel pests may arise. We herein report a surrogate life cycle of a neotropical tick species. Amblyomma ovate, and which may be related to an increased risk of human rickettsiosis. Under natural conditions, adults of this tick species feed on carnivores and exhibit non-nidicolous ambush behavior, whereas larvae and nymphs feed on small rodents and birds. In an anthropized spot within an Atlantic rainforest reserve of Brazil, an A. ovate population exhibited a nidicolous behavior with all 3 tick stages feeding on the dog. This dog's infestation was outstandingly high, and it displayed the highest anti-Rickettsia titers and harbored Rickettsia-infected ticks. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (AU) | |