Brazilian distribution of Amblyomma varium Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), a common parasite of sloths (Mammalia: Xenarthra)

AUTOR(ES)

Marques, Sandro, Barros-Battesti, Darci Moraes, Faccini, João Luiz Horacio, Onofrio, Valeria Castilho

FONTE

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2002-12

RESUMO

Amblyomma varium, commonly known in Brazil as the "carrapato-gigante-da-preguiça" (sloth's giant tick) is found from southern Central America to Argentina. The present study adds information on the geographical distribution of A. varium, as well as on their hosts, based on material deposited in the main Brazilian collections and on the available literature. Eighty-two vials, containing 191 adult specimens, deposited in five Acari collections between 1930 and 2001, were examined. These vials included data on the host and collection localities. The biology of A. varium is unknown. However it is known that, during the adult stage, the tick presents a high host specificity and is found almost exclusively on the sloths Bradypus tridactylus, B. variegatus, B.torquatus (Bradypodidae), Choloepus hoffmanni and C. didactylus (Megalonychidae). Based on the material examined, the states of Rondônia, Amazonas, Bahia and Alagoas are newly assigned to geographic distribution of A. varium in Brazil.

Documentos Relacionados

• The genus Amblyomma Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) in Brazil.
• Biologia de Amblyomma rotundatum KOCH, 1844 (Acari: ixodidae) parasitando três gêneros de ofídios no Brasil
• Infestação experimental com as fases imaturas de Amblyomma dissimile Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) em Tropidurus torquatus (Lacertilia: Iguanidae) e Oryctolagus cuniculus
• Ciclo dioxênico em Amblyomma rotundatum (Koch, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae)parasitando serpentes da família Viperidae
• Inespecificidade parasitária em Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae)