Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observations on life cycle under laboratory conditions / Amblyomma nodosum (Neumann, 1899): observações sobre o ciclo biológico em condições de laboratório

The natural hosts of Amblyomma nodosum in the immature stages are a variety of birds and the anteater in the adult stage. However, so far no data have been published about this ticks life cycle. To fill this gap, a record was made of its development under laboratory conditions. All the procedures were controlled in a BOD chamber set at 27±1 °C and 80±10% relative humidity and scotophase. The parasitic stages were raised on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, 1758), from which more than 50% of larvae and nymphs were recovered, although only a small portion performed ecdysis. The adults did not fixed on the rabbits, which suggests that the experimental conditions were unsuitable for the requirements of this species. The data obtained here indicate that A. nodosum is highly dependent on its host and environment whereas under laboratory conditions and host chosen for the study was not obtained satisfactory results and new studies with different hosts and new environmental conditions should be elaborated.

Os hospedeiros naturais deAmblyomma nodosum, nos estágios imaturos, são uma variedade de pássaros e, na fase adulta, são os tamanduás. No entanto, até agora não há dados publicados sobre o ciclo de vida desse carrapato. Para preencher essa lacuna, um registro foi realizado sobre o desenvolvimento em condições de laboratório. Todos os procedimentos foram controlados em câmaras tipo BOD a 27±1 °C e 80±10% de umidade relativa e escotofase. As fases parasitárias foram desenvolvidas em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculusLinnaeus, 1758), a partir dos quais mais de 50% das larvas e ninfas foram recuperados, embora apenas uma pequena porção tenha realizado ecdise. Os adultos não se fixaram nos coelhos, o que sugere que as condições experimentais eram inadequadas para os requisitos dessa espécie. Os dados obtidos indicam queA. nodosumé altamente dependente de seu hospedeiro e ambiente, enquanto em condições de laboratório e pela escolha do hospedeiro para o estudo não foram obtidos resultados satisfatórios, e novos estudos com diferentes hospedeiros e novas condições ambientais devem ser elaborados.

Diversidade de ixodida em roedores e marsupiais capturados no Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Diversity of ixodida in small rodents and marsupials in the Pedra Branca state park, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Durante 24 meses foram capturados, inspecionados e liberados no mesmo espaço do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, 96 marsupiais e 64 roedores. Neles foram recolhidos manualmente 105 carrapatos, de 10 espécies em duas famílias. A espécie de carrapato dominante entre os roedores foi Amblyomma longirostre e entre os marsupiais foi Ixodes loricatus. Houve correlação direta significativa entre a temperatura e a intensidade de parasitismo por carrapatos...

During 24 months 96 marsupials and 64 rodents were captured, inspected and set free in the same space of the Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro. From them, 105 ticks from 10 species in two families were manually collected. The dominant tick species on the rodents was Amblyomma longirostre and on the marsupials was Ixodes loricatus. There was a significant correlation of the temperature in relation to intensity of parasitism for ticks, demonstrating that the higher the temperature, greater is the number of ticks...

Detección de Rickettsia spp. en ectoparásitos de animales domésticos y silvestres de la Reserva Natural Privada Cerro Chucantí y comunidades aledañas, Panamá, 2007-2010 / Detection of Rickettsia in ectoparasites of wild and domestic mammals from the Cerro Chucanti private reserve and from neighboring towns, Panamá, 2007-2010

Introducción. Los ectoparásitos son los principales vectores de rickettsiosis. En Panamá se tienen escasos datos sobre los artrópodos que pudieran considerarse vectores o reservorios. Objetivos. Presentar datos sobre la presencia de Rickettsia spp. en ectoparásitos de fauna silvestre y animales domésticos en la Reserva Natural Privada Cerro Chucantí y poblados vecinos. Materiales y métodos. Se revisaron 9 personas, 95 mamíferos domésticos y 48 silvestres. Los animales domésticos se examinaron con anuencia del propietario, mientras que la fauna silvestre se capturó con trampas Sherman y Tomahawk. Se extrajeron 21 especies de ectoparásitos: pulgas, piojos, garrapatas y otros ácaros, los cuales se preservaron en etanol al 95 %. Se extrajo material genético de garrapatas y pulgas para ser analizado por técnicas moleculares en la detección de Rickettsia spp. Resultados. Se practicaron 425 reacciones de PCR, de las cuales, 270 resultaron negativas y 155 positivas. De las positivas, 86 amplificaron para el gen gltA (55 % de las positivas); de estos también amplificaron 41 (26 %) para ompA. Se encontró material genético de Rickettsia amblyommii, en garrapatas de caballos (Amblyomma cajennense, Dermacentor nitens), de perros (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) y ninfas de Amblyomma recolectadas en el bosque. Además, se detectó ADN de R. felis en pulgas Ctenocephalides felis de perros. Conclusiones. Se pudo detectar la presencia de R. amblyommii y R. felis en garrapatas y pulgas de animales domésticos de los poblados cercanos a Cerro Chucantí, aun cuando no se pudo encontrar material genético de Rickettsia en ectoparásitos de la fauna silvestre.

Introduction. Ectoparasites are the main vectors of rickettsiosis. In Panama, however, limited data are available concerning the arthropod species that serve as vectors or reservoirs. Objectives. Data are presented concerning the presence of Rickettsia in ectoparasites of wildlife and domestic animals in the Cerro Chucantí private nature reserve and in neighboring villages. Materials and methods. Nine humans, 95 domestic mammals and 48 wild mammals were examined. Twenty-one species of ectoparasites were obtained, including fleas, lice, ticks and mites. These were preserved in 95% ethanol. Later, the DNA was extracted from the ticks and fleas and analyzed by molecular techniques to detect presence of Rickettsia. Results. Of a total of 425 PCR reactions, 270 were positive for Rickettsia and 155 negative. Among the positive samples, 86 PCR amplified for the gltA gene (55% of positives) and 41 of these also amplified the ompA gene. DNA of Rickettsiaamblyommii was found in horses ticks (Amblyomma cajennense, Dermacentor nitens), dogs ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and free living nymphs in the forest. Additionally, DNA of R. felis was found in fleas from dogs Ctenocephalides felis. Conclusions. The presence of R. amblyommii and R. felis was detected in ticks and fleas of domestic animals in villages near Cerro Chucanti; however no Rickettsia DNA was found in ectoparasites of non-domestic wildlife.

Ticks (Ixodidae) and other ectoparasites in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia.

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia from 23-29 March 2003. A total of 161 animals comprising 20 species of birds, 16 species of bats, six species of non-volant small mammals and 12 species of reptiles were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, nine species in five genera of ticks, 10 species in two families of Mesostigmatid mites and five species of chiggers were collected. Three of the ectoparasitic species found, Dermacentor auratus, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known public health importance. This survey produced the first list of ticks and other ectoparasites in the forest reserve and the third study of ectoparasites in Kedah. Fourteen species of these ectoparasites are new locality records.

Amblyomma tigrinum no Município de Lages, SC e observações da biologia em condições de laboratório / Amblyomma tigrinum in the Municipality of Lages, SC and biology observations under laboratory conditions

Com objetivo de observar os parâmetros biológicos de Amblyomma tigrinum, fêmeas ingurgitadas, coletadas de cães da cidade de Lages-SC, foram acondicionadas em placas de Petri, mantidas em câmara climatizada tipo BOD regulada à temperatura de 27 + 1º C, 80 + 10 por cento UR e escotofase para realização da postura. Para o desenvolvimento das fases sucessivas do experimento, foram realizadas infestações em coelhos, por meio da técnica do saco de pano aderido à base das orelhas. Os períodos médios de eclosão, de ingurgitamento e de ecdise larval foram de 11,67; 5,93 e 10,96 dias, respectivamente. Os períodos médios de ingurgitamento e de ecdise ninfal foram de 12,40 e 16,27 dias respectivamente. Foi obtido o ingurgitamento de uma fêmea, com desprendimento no 22º dia. A longevidade foi de 75, 96 e 150 dias, para larvas, ninfas e adultos respectivamente.

To study the biological features of Amblyomma tigrinum, samples of engorged females collected from dogs in the city of Lages, SC, Brazil, were maintained in Petri dishes into an incubator at 27±1ºC and 80±10 percent RH, for egg laying. For the development of the subsequent experimental phases, artificial infestations were performed in rabbits using the technique of the cotton bag glued to the ear's base. The mean period of hatch, feeding and larval molt were 11.67, 5.93 and 10.96 days, respectively, whereas the mean period of feeding and nymph's molt were 12.40 and 16.27 days, respectively. Only one engorged female was obtained, with detachment observed on the 22nd day. The longevity periods for larvae, nymphs and adults were 75, 96 and 150 days respectively.

Immune response in rabbits against Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Rabbits immunised with homogenates of unfed larvae and nymphs of the tick R. sanguineus developed significant level of protective immunity to infestation with all the stages of the species. The acquisition of resistance was based on feeding and developmental performance parameters (rejection, moulting percentages and feeding period) of larvae and nymphs. The acquisition of resistance against adults was also measured by feeding and reproductive performance of female ticks viz., rejection percent, engorged female and egg mass weights, engorgement, preoviposition and oviposition periods and efficiency of female ticks in converting their food reserve to eggs and larvae. Sera from larval extract (RLAg) immunised rabbits were strongly positive for anti-RLAg antibodies after 3 weeks of immunisation while nymphal extract (RNAg) immunised rabbits were positive for anti-RNAg antibodies after 2 weeks of immunisation in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The immunised rabbits were also positive for immediate type hypersensitivity (ITH) reaction on Intradermal inoculation of RLAg and RNAg.

Parâmetros biológicos do estágio larval de Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: lxodidae) em coelhos / Biological parameters of the larval stage of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: lxodidae) in rabbits

Objetivando maiores informações sobre as fases parasitária e não parasitária do Amblyomma cajennense; foram coletadas 473 fêmeas ingurgitadas provenientes de eqüinos. As fêmeas ingurgitadas pesavam, em média, 601,96 ± 161 ,01 mg e realizaram posturas entre 100 e 444 mg, com média de 286,36 ± 91 ,85 mg. A fase não parasitária foi avaliada sob condições controladas de laboratório (temperatura de 27°C, umidade relativa do ar superior a 70% e 12 h de fotofase). Para cada 1g de fêmeas ingurgitadas correponderam 507,88 ± 88,61 mg de postura. O período de pré-oviposição oscilou entre 4 e 7 dias, com média de 5,30 ± 1,02 dias; a incubação dos ovos foi realizada em média em 33,04 ± 1,69 dias e o período de pré-eclosão foi de 37,94 ± 1,48 dias. A fase parasitária foi acompanhada a partir de infestações experimentais em coelhos, utilizando-se larvas de 3 a 18 dias de idade, provenientes das posturas das fêmeas coletadas. O ingurgitamento larval foi realizado entre 4 e 6 dias, com média de 5 dias. O período compreendido entre o desprendimento da metalarva e o término da ecdise larva/ninfa foi de 11 ,29 ± 1,19 dias e não foi afetado nem pelo sexo nem pela cor da pelagem do coelho utilizado para ingurgitamento larval. Do total de metalarvas obtidas, 95% completaram a ecdise.

In an attempt to obtain further information on both parasitic and non-parasitic phases of Amblyomma cajennense, 473 engorged te males from horses were collected. Females weighed 601.96 ± 161.01 mg on the average and made oviposition between 100 and 444 mg, with an average of 286.36 ± 91.85 mg. Non-parasitic phase was assessed under laboratory conditions (27°C temperatura, relativa air humidity above 70% and 12 hr photophase exposition). For 1g females there was a correspondence of 507.88 ± 88.61 mg oviposition. Preoviposition period ranged from 4 to 7 days, with an average of 5.30 ± 1.02 days; egg incubation was made in 33.04 ± 1.69 days on the average, and the pre-eclosion period was 37.94 ± 1.48 days. Parasitic phase was followed on the basis of experimental infestations in rabbits, using 3 to 18 day larvae from the oviposition of collected females. Larval ingurgitation was observed between 4 and 6 days with an average of 5 days. The period extending between loosening of metalarva and completion of larva/nymph ecdisis was 11.29 ± 1.19. This period was not affected by sex or hair colar of rabbit used for larvae ingurgitation. Out of the total of metalarvae obtained, 95% completed ecdisis.

Biochemical changes in the coxal organ proper and accessory glands of female ornithodoros [ornithodoros] savignyi at different physiological conditions

Changes in the total protein, DNA, RNA, lipid and phospholipid concentrations in the coxal organ proper and accessory glands of Ornithodoros [Ornithodoros] savignyi [Audouin] were studied. There was an increase in the total protein, DNA, RNA, lipid and phospholipid content of the coxal organ proper in the female up to six days after feeding, then the concentration decreased. Also, the content of protein, DNA, RNA, lipid and phospholipid in the coxal organ proper of the seventh nymphal instar were similar to unfed females. Accessory glands showed an increase in protein, DNA, RNA, lipid and phospholipid content that reached its maximum on day 8 after feeding in females, then decreased

The subgenus Persicargas (Ixodoidea: Argasidae: Argas). 27. The life cycle of A. (P.) robertsi population samples from Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

To provide background data for an investigation of biological interrelationships between Argas (Persicargas) robertsi Hoogstraal, Kaiser and Kohls and 3 arboviruses (Kao Shuan, Pathum Thani, and Nyamanini) isolated from this tick species, domestic pigeons were used as experimental hosts to study the life cycle of population samples from Taiwan (TA), Thailand (TH), Indonesia (IN), Sri Lanka (SR), and Australia (AU). The life cycle (at 28-30 degrees C and 75% RH) required 2-10 months. Biological data for the different population samples varied possibly owing to atavistic retention of seasonally adjusted properties associated with diapause and the migratory habits or breeding cycles of wild hosts, or to different rearing times of the various samples. There were 2-4 nymphal instars in SR and AU samples and 2-5 instars in TA, TH, and IN samples. Nymphs and adults fed within a few days after molting or oviposition and usually emitted coxal fluid while feeding. Males molted from earlier nymphal instars than females.