Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observations on life cycle under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The natural hosts of Amblyomma nodosum in the immature stages are a variety of birds and the anteater in the adult stage. However, so far no data have been published about this tick's life cycle. To fill this gap, a record was made of its development under laboratory conditions. All the procedures were controlled in a BOD chamber set at 27±1 °C and 80±10% relative humidity and scotophase. The parasitic stages were raised on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758), from which more than 50% of larvae and nymphs were recovered, although only a small portion performed ecdysis. The adults did not fixed on the rabbits, which suggests that the experimental conditions were unsuitable for the requirements of this species. The data obtained here indicate that A. nodosum is highly dependent on its host and environment whereas under laboratory conditions and host chosen for the study was not obtained satisfactory results and new studies with different hosts and new environmental conditions should be elaborated.Keywords: Tick, host, biology, Brazil, Amblyomma nodosum. ResumoOs hospedeiros naturais de Amblyomma nodosum, nos estágios imaturos, são uma variedade de pássaros e, na fase adulta, são os tamanduás. No entanto, até agora não há dados publicados sobre o ciclo de vida desse carrapato. Para preencher essa lacuna, um registro foi realizado sobre o desenvolvimento em condições de laboratório. Todos os procedimentos foram controlados em câmaras tipo BOD a 27±1 °C e 80±10% de umidade relativa e escotofase. As fases parasitárias foram desenvolvidas em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758), a partir dos quais mais de 50% das larvas e ninfas foram recuperados, embora apenas uma pequena porção tenha realizado ecdise. Os adultos não se fixaram nos coelhos, o que sugere que as condições experimentais eram inadequadas para os requisitos dessa espécie. Os dados obtidos indicam que A. nodosum é altamente dependente de seu hospedeiro e ambiente, enquanto em condições de laboratório e pela escolha do hospedeiro para o estudo não foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios, e novos estudos com diferentes hospedeiros e novas condições ambientais devem ser elaborados.Palavras-chave: Carrapato, hospedeiro, biologia, Brasil, Amblyomma nodosum.

Diversity of rickettsiae and potential vectors of spotted fever in an area of epidemiological interest in the Cerrado biome, midwestern Brazil

“…This is the first report of Rickettsia sp. strain NOD in Goiás, and it is possible that A. nodosum is involved in enzootic cycles of this rickettsia in preserved forest areas (Ogrzewalska et al ., ; Pinheiro et al ., ), such as those that occur in Trindade municipality, which highlights the danger of the presence of potentially pathogenic rickettsia in this area.…”

First report of unusual case of parasitism by Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1889) in a yellow cururu toad (Rhinella icterica) in the Northeastern Brazilian Caatinga

“…Previous studies have shown that, under laboratory conditions, A. nodosum exhibit a high degree of dependence on their hosts and environment for development ( Pinheiro et al, 2015 ). Although the records of unexpected parasitism by this tick species is considered incidental, there could be a potential relation between the selection of a host by this tick species and various ecological features, such as habitat specificity, host availability, and type of cycle of the ticks and environmental conditions (e.g.…”

Parasitism of a capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) by Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899 and Amblyomma humerale Koch, 1844 in an Amazon forest area, Rondônia, Brazil

“…This can be explained by the fact that anteaters are the natural host of A. nodosum in the adult stage, while a variety of birds are hosts of its immature stages (Barros-Battesti et al, 2006). A. nodosum has been found to be highly dependent on its hosts and environment (Pinheiro et al, 2015). Amblyomma humerale, another important species of the genus Amblyomma, is considered endemic to South America, where it has been mainly described parasitizing land tortoises, including reports in Rondônia (Labruna et al, 2002).…”