Topographical and numerical study of the idiosomal integumentary structures of the larva of four Neotropical species of Amblyomma Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae).

Integumentary structures of the larvae of Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), A. parvum Aragão, 1908, A. rotundatum Koch, 1844 and from three populations of A. cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) were studied using light microscopy. A new nomenclature for the localisation of the integumentary structures is proposed. Three types of integumentary structures were identified in the larval idiosoma of the four Amblyomma species: lyrifissures, small glands and large wax glands. These structures were observed isolated or associated over the entire idiosoma, except in the scutum, which lacked lyrifisures and large wax glands. Large wax glands were the most stable within and between the tick species, followed by lyrifissures and small glands. Small glands, although relatively stable, showed the highest number of numerical variations within and between the tick species. Even though there were intra-population variations in the topographical and numerical pattern of some integumentary structures of A. cajennense larvae, there was a definitive pattern for most of the specimens, as showed by the similar modal and mean numbers of integumentary structures per tick side. The patterns of lyrifissures, small glands and large wax glands showed little differences when compared between the four Amblyomma species; however, a few differences were well evident. These differences were sufficient to differentiate larvae of the four species. Thus, we expect that the study of integumentary structures on the larvae of other Amblyomma species will be useful in future taxonomic keys for the identification of Amblyomma larvae from the Neotropical region.

[The effect of immersion in distilled water on the engorged larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 (Acari: Ixodidae)]. / Efeito da imersão de larvas e ninfas ingurgitadas de Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899 (Acari: Ixodidae) em água destilada.

To evaluate the effect of the immersion of engorged larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma dubitatum experimentally fed on rabbits, the ticks were collected and formed control groups, without immersion, and groups witch were immersed by 24, 48, 72, 96 hours and, for engorged larvaes, by eight weeks, in test tubes containing distilled water. During all experiment ticks were kept at 27 +/- 1 degrees C, 80 +/- 10% RU and scotophase The parameters evaluated were: pre-ecdysis, ecdysis and moulting periods; and ecdysis and mortality percentages. When compared with the control group, the effect (p<0,05) of immersion varied intra and inter stages. Apparently, immersion was less deleterious to A. dubitatum in comparison with A. cajennense and R. sanguineus from neotropical region, thus reflecting a long host relations with the capybara, its primary host.

Successful infestation by Amblyomma pseudoconcolor and A. cooperi (Acari: Ixodidae) on horses.

The host relationships for most species of the genus Amblyomma are poorly known in Brazil. The ability of A. pseudoconcolor and A. cooperi to successfully feed on horses was investigated during ongoing research on the life cycle of these two species, which are primarily associated with wildlife. Results of these experiments suggest that horses are potential hosts for the adult stages of both species.