Seasonal dynamics of Amblyomma sculptum: a review

Abstract

Background Amblyomma sculptum is a hard tick that is associated with domestic animals and the transmission of Brazilian spotted fever. This association has motivated several field studies on this ixodid tick within its distribution area in South America. Thorough knowledge of the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum in different ecological scenarios is required in order to better understand the biological characteristics of this tick and develop techniques for the control and prevention of diseases transmitted by this vector. In this article, we systematically review the seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum and tick collection methodology. Methods A systematic search of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Scielo databases was carried out for articles (including dissertations and theses) on the population dynamics of A. sculptum. The inclusion criterion was the report of seasonal dynamic studies on A. sculptum through surveys carried out for at least 1 year with, as methodology, tick collection in the environment and/or tick count/collection on A. sculptum primary hosts (horses or capybaras). Studies carried out before the reclassification of Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato in 2014, which referred to Amblyomma cajennense in areas where it is currently known that only A. sculptum occurs, were also included. Articles meeting the inclusion criterion, but not available in online databases, were also added based on the authors’ experience on the subject. Sixteen articles and one thesis were selected for inclusion in this systematic review. Results Most of the studies were carried out in the southeastern region of Brazil, with a few also carried out in the northeast, center-west and south of Brazil and northwest of Argentina. Five techniques/methods were applied across these studies: CO2 traps, dragging, flagging, visual searches and tick counting on animals, used alone or in combination. Conclusion Seasonal dynamics of A. sculptum was found to be similar in almost all of the areas studied, with larvae predominating during the autumn, nymphs in the winter and adults in the spring and summer. Graphical abstract

Noteworthy records of the ticks Ornithodoros rostratus and Amblyomma sculptum parasitizing Pteronura brasiliensis in the central-western region of Brazil, with pathogen investigation notes

“…On the other hand, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, has wide geographical distribution ( Martins et al, 2016 ; de Paula et al, 2022 ). This species is part of a species complex named “ Amblyomma cajennense complex”, which includes other five species ( Nava et al, 2014 ).…”

Effect of environmental variables on the abundance of Amblyomma ticks, potential vectors of Rickettsia parkeri in central Brazil

“…Furthermore, the high number of adults during the wet season is consistent with the seasonal dynamics described for A . sculptum in the southern, southeastern, and central-western regions of Brazil [ 4 , 52 , 56 , 57 ]. In these regions, larvae are abundant between April and July, nymphs between July and October, and adults between November and February.…”

“…sculptum /trap and 2.1 A . dubitatum /trap) [ 57 ]. The study suggests that the emergence of BSF is linked to the growth of the capybara population, which offers a food source for A .…”

Effects of Piper aduncum (Piperales: Piperaceae) Essential Oil and Its Main Component Dillapiole on Detoxifying Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Amblyomma sculptum (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888 is a species of tick commonly found in the most populated states of Brazil, as well as Paraguay and northern Argentina [1]. Its preferred hosts are equids, but it can also parasitize cattle, other domestic animals, and wildlife [2,3]. The species is part of a specific complex called Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato, with a wide distribution in the Americas [4].…”