Biology and ecology of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Abstract

The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is the most widespread tick in the world and a well-recognized vector of many pathogens affecting dogs and occasionally humans. This tick can be found on dogs living in both urban and rural areas, being highly adapted to live within human dwellings and being active throughout the year not only in tropical and subtropical regions, but also in some temperate areas. Depending on factors such as climate and host availability, Rh. sanguineus can complete up to four generations per year. Recent studies have demonstrated that ticks exposed to high temperatures attach and feed on humans and rabbits more rapidly. This observation suggests that the risk of human parasitism by Rh. sanguineus could increase in areas experiencing warmer and/or longer summers, consequently increasing the risk of transmission of zoonotic agents (e.g., Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia rickettsii). In the present article, some aspects of the biology and ecology of Rh. sanguineus ticks are discussed including the possible impact of current climate changes on populations of this tick around the world.

Garrapatas (Acari: Ixodidae) prevalentes en caninos no migrantes del noroccidente de Bogotá, Colombia

“…En Maracaibo , Venezuela, una ciudad del trópico costero americano, sólo con 5 meses de estudio, caninos con asistencia sanitaria tuvieron tasas infestantes por Rhipicephalus sanguineus de 9,8 % con 2 a 55 garrapatas por animal, mostrando más infestados los canidos jóvenes y de razas puras (32); demostrando como su infestación varía ampliamente en caninos según la distribución biogeográfica, densidad y proporción, e individualmente incluso por raza, edad, y estilo de vida domiciliado o no (33).…”

Manejo de infecciones de Garrapatas transmitidas por perros en la comuna de Padre las Casas.

“…Según Dantas -Torres (2008), cuando se piensa en control de garrapatas se debe tomar en cuenta que solo el 5% de ellas se encuentran parasitando al perro y el 95% se encuentra en el ambiente.…”

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on the egg laying pattern of <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> (Koch, 1844) infesting sheep in semi-arid region of Nigeria

“…More so, Rh. sanguineus has been described as a catholic tick, being able to adopt different strategies for survival, as needed (Dantas-Torres, 2010) In this paper the ovipositional pattern of Rhipicephalus sanguineus as affected by changes and the temperature and relative humidity is described.…”