Attachment sites of the tick Amblyomma marmoreum on its tortoise host, Geochelone pardalis

Abstract

Fielden, L.J. and Rechav, Y.. 1994. Attachment sites of the tick Amblyomma marmoreum to its tortoise host Geochelone pardalis. Exp. Appl. Acarol.. i 8: 339-349.Leopard tortoises (n = 162) were collected over a period of 19 months at the National Zoological gardens, Pretoria, South Africa and the attachment sites of larvae, nymphs and adults ofA. mannoreum monitored. Most of the larvae (80%) and nymphs (87%) were found on the anterior parts of the tortoise while adults (90%) were found mainly on the posterior regions of the host body. The immature stages were predominant in soft skinned areas protected by the carapace especially the neck and upper leg areas. Male and female ticks were most commonly found on the posterior armpit. posterior legs and the areas surrounding the base of the tail. Interstadial competition as a major factor influencing attachment site segregation is doubtful. Anterior attachment site sclection of the immature stages is believed to result largely from ticks lying passively in wait and then climbing onto the host as it moves through the vegetation and the requirement for soft skinned and protected areas to allow for blood feeding. Adult females usually attach posteriorly in areas that allow them to fully engorge without being dislodged by mechanical disturbance, while males prefer to attach at sites where they are protected but still remain in close proximity to female pheromone signals.

A redescription of Haemogregarina fitzsimonsi Dias, 1953 and some comments on Haemogregarina parvula Dias, 1953 (Adeleorina: Haemogregarinidae) from southern African tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae), with new host data and distribution records

“…Difficulty was experienced in determining numbers of tortoises, wild and captive, infested with ticks, and numbers of ticks per tortoise, as these arthropods tended to reside in deep host skin folds and were not readily detected. However, a few specimens collected from K. b. belliana, K. lobatsiana and S. pardalis, were identified as the common African tortoise tick, Amblyomma marmoreum Koch, 1844 while the tick species parasitizing C. angulata was Amblyomma sylvaticum (De Geer, 1778) (see Fielden and Rechav 1994). Thus, 7 specimens of A. marmoreum were removed from a wild S. pardalis and a wild K. lobatsiana, both from NWP, and from a captive K. b. belliana from KZN, while 7 specimens of A. sylvaticum were taken from a wild C. angulata from WC.…”

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) spread by the international trade in reptiles andtheir potential roles in dissemination of diseases

“…Preferred attachment sites for A. marmoreum on tortoises are areas of soft skin which allow for easy penetration and engorgement and which are protected from physical abrasion by the carapace (upper part of the shell) of the tortoise. Consequently, adults are found primarily on the posterior legs and axillae, around the cloaca and on the tail (Fielden & Rechav, 1994;Burridge et al, 2000a). Attachment to posterior regions of tortoises by adults is particularly important to female A. marmoreum since it provides them with sufficient space and protection to allow these large ticks to reach full engorgement.…”

“…Attachment to posterior regions of tortoises by adults is particularly important to female A. marmoreum since it provides them with sufficient space and protection to allow these large ticks to reach full engorgement. Unlike adults, immature A. marmoreum are found mainly on the anterior part of tortoises, with both nymphs and larvae feeding predominantly on the neck and anterior legs (Fielden & Rechav, 1994;Burridge et al, 2000a). Amblyomma marmoreum are rarely found on the ventral neck of tortoises where they could easily be dislodged by contact with objects or vegetation or on the heavily scaled lower legs where they would have difficulty feeding.…”

“…Amblyomma nuttalli is a tick of reptiles whose immature stages will feed on a wide variety of mammals and a few birds (table 2). The most common host appears to be Bell's Theiler & Salisbury (1959), Theiler (1962), Norval (1975Norval ( , 1983, Walker & Schulz (1984), Dower et al (1988), Ghirotti & Mwanaumo (1989), de Meneghi (1993), Fielden & Rechav (1994), Allan et al (1998), Horak & Boomker (1998), Wilson & Bram (1998), Barnard & Durden (2000), Burridge et al (2000a) A N Theiler & Salisbury (1959), Theiler (1962), Norval (1975Norval ( , 1983, Barnard & Durden (2000) Mammals Theiler & Salisbury (1959), MacLeod (1975), Horak & Knight (1986), Horak et al (1987b), Horak (1999) Horak & Knight (1986), Horak et al (1987bHorak et al ( , 1991c, Fivaz et al (1990) Horak et al (1982Horak et al ( , 1986bHorak et al ( , 1987b, Horak & Boomker (1998) Horak et al (1983), Fourie et al (1991) Theiler & Salisbury (1959), Horak & Knight (1986), Horak et al (1987bHorak et al ( , 1991d) Pelea capreolus (grey rhebok) N L Horak et al (1986bHorak et al ( , 1987b, Horak & Boomker (1998)…”

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. LI. Ticks infesting leopard tortoises <i>Stigmochelys pardalis</i>, hingeback tortoises <i>Kinixys zombensis</i> and angulate tortoises <i>Chersina angulata</i>

“…Fielden and Rechav ( 1994 ) recorded most A. marmoreum larvae (49.6%) on the head and neck of leopard tortoises, followed by the anterior legs and the anterior and posterior armpits. Most nymphs attached to the head and neck (53.6%), followed by the anterior legs.…”