Parasitism by Amblyomma humerale (Acari: Ixodidae) on Chelonoidis denticulatus (Testudines: Testudinidae) in the Atlantic Forest

Abstract

The present study reports on patterns of parasitism by Amblyomma humerale on yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulatus, in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The tortoises were sampled occasionally, from July 2005 to January 2020. We collected 81 adult ticks from seven tortoises (mean = 11.57 ± 6.90 ticks/host), of which 72 were males (88.9%) and nine females (11.1%), resulting in an 8:1 sex ratio (males:females). Males were found in clusters, attached to the carapace. Females occurred mainly isolated, attached to coriaceous integumental areas (n = 7; 77.8%), especially the engorged females (100%). We suggest that the difference between attachment sites is a strategy used by fertilized females to avoid mechanical removal from their host through friction with elements of the environment. Because they undergo a considerable increase of volume when engorged, they move to more sheltered places on their host's surface. The parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus were compatible with those observed in the Amazon region and in the Cerrado-Amazonia transition. The present work provides information about the life history and host-parasite interface of the two species and contributes to understanding the parasitism patterns by A. humerale on C. denticulatus in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.