The influence of the fasting period on the number of nymphal instars and on the sex ratio of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus (Acari: Argasidae)

Abstract

The current study investigated the biology of nymphs of the first and second instars of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus. Nymphs were deprived of food for 15, 30 or 60 days and held at 27 ± 1 ºC and 80 ± 10% relative humidity (controlled conditions) or at room conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Nymphs of first instar deprived of food for 15 or 30 days molted to second and third instars in both controlled and room conditions. Nymphs of the first instar deprived of food for 60 days had 28 and 37% mortality in controlled and room conditions, respectively; and survivors did not attach to the host. Nymphs of the second instar, deprived of food for 60 days, molted either to the third instar or to males after feeding on Gallus gallus, and the nymphs of the third instar developed to adults (42.42% males and 36.36% females when nymphs were held in controlled temperature and humidity conditions, and 40.54% males and 48.65% females when nymphs were held in room conditions). The remainder of the nymphs molted to the fourth instar and then molted to females. In conclusion, the nymphal starvation period of 60 days determined the number of nymph instars in the life cycle of A. miniatus under the experimental conditions studied.

The geographic distribution of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus and Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Acari: Argasidae) in America, with morphological and molecular diagnoses from Brazil, Chile and Cuba

“…(P.) miniatus and A. (P.) persicus were published in taxonomical works (Nuttall et al, 1908;Cooley and Kohls, 1944;Kohls et al, 1970), list of species or reports for a specific region (Hooker, 1909;Rohr, 1909;Lahille, 1915;Dunn, 1923;Vogelsang, 1928;Vigueras, 1934;Aragão, 1935Aragão, , 1936Aragão, , 1938Hearle, 1938;Osorno-Mesa, 1940;Vogelsang and Cordero, 1940;Bishopp and Trembley, 1945;Boero, 1945;Hoffmann, 1962;Fairchild et al, 1966;De La Cruz, 1974, 1976Capriles and Gaud, 1977;Keirans, 1984;Need et al, 1991;Ivancovich and Luciani, 1992;Evans et al, 2000;Nava et al, 2004;Guglielmone and Nava, 2005;Acosta et al, 2016;Castillo-Martínez et al, 2016), biological studies (Lorosa et al, 2007;Santos et al, 2010), and research related to Borrelia anserina (Marchoux and Salimbeni, 1903;Nóbrega and Reis, 1947;Loomis, 1953;Ataliba et al, 2007;Lisbôa et al, 2009), which is transmitted by these group of ticks. However, early reports of both species for America are unclear and it is difficult to assign an identity without a reexamination of the collected material.…”

Current status of ticks and tick-host relationship in domestic and wild animals from Pantanal wetlands in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

“…Tick hemolymph and chicken blood were examined under a microscope and no pathogens were observed. The importance of this tick species is not clearly known, however, losses in productivity due to blood feeding, transmission of pathogens such as Borrelia anserine and paralysis induced by larvae in young birds have been reported (Santos et al, 2010). Because of the great abundance and diversity of wild birds in close contact with domestic animals in the Pantanal region, further research on the host-relationship of this tick is recommended.…”