Hosts, seasonality and geographic distribution of the South African tortoise tick, <i>Amblyomma marmoreum</i>

Abstract

The tortoise tick Amblyomma marmoreum was collected from large numbers of reptiles and other animals during the course of numerous surveys conducted in South Africa. A total of 1 229 ticks, of which 550 were adults, were recovered from 309 reptiles belonging to 13 species, with leopard tortoises, Geochelone pardalis being the most heavily infested. The 269 birds sampled harboured 4 901 larvae, 217 nymphs and no adult ticks, and the prevalence of infestation was greatest on hel meted guinea fowls, Numida meleagris. Only two larvae were recovered from 610 rodents, including 31 spring hares, Pedetes capensis, whereas 1 144 other small mammals yielded 1 835 immature ticks, of which 1 655 were collected from 623 scrub hares, Lepus saxatilis. The 213 carnivores examined harboured 2 459 ticks of which none were adult. A single adult tick and 6 684 larvae and 62 nymphs were recovered from 656 large herbivores, and a total of 4 081 immature ticks and three adults were collected from 1 543 domestic animals and 194 humans. Adult male and female A. marmoreum were most numerous on reptiles during January and February, and larvae during March. The largest numbers of larvae were present on domestic cattle and helmeted guineafowls in the Eastern Cape Province during March or April respectively, whereas larvae were most numerous on helmeted guineafowls, scrub hares and the vegetation in north-eastern Mpumalanga Province during May. In both provinces nymphs were most numerous between October and December. Amblyomma marmoreum appears to be most prevalent in the western regions of the Western and Eastern Cape and Free State provinces, and the north-eastern regions of the Northern Cape, KwaZulu- Natal, Mpumulanga and Limpopo provinces.

Questing ixodid ticks on the vegetation of sable antelope and multi-herbivore enclosures in Thabazimbi

“…Only two A. marmoreum larvae were collected in this study, one in July 2011 and one in July 2012. The preferred host of the adults of this tick is the leopard tortoise ( S. pardalis ), which implies that one or more tortoises either were or had been present in the breeding enclosures (Horak et al 2006 ).…”

Ticks collected from birds in the northern provinces of South Africa, 2004-2006

“…Adult A. marmoreum, the second most common species recovered in this study, feed nearly exclusively on tortoises (Horak, McKay, Heyne & Spickett 2006). Its immature stages feed on a wide range of hosts, including tortoises and birds Van Niekerk et al 2006).…”

Diversity of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cheetahs (Acinoyx jubatus) at three breeding centres in South Africa and activity patterns of questing ticks

“…Amblyomma marmoreum is widely distributed in South Africa (Horak et al, 2006). Adults have a preference for tortoises, particularly leopard tortoises, while the immature stages may infest a variety of reptiles as well as mammals and birds (Horak et al, 2006).…”

“…Adults have a preference for tortoises, particularly leopard tortoises, while the immature stages may infest a variety of reptiles as well as mammals and birds (Horak et al, 2006). The presence of tortoises and birds at AVDCC-DWS probably accounted for the abundance of A.…”