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Vol. 44 (2022), Scientific articles

Vol. 44 (2022)

Sloth’s giant tick (Amblyomma varium) parasitizing free-ranging maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil.

Scientific articles

https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004021

Published 2022-02-02

Fernanda Coelho Simas Bernardes⁺⁻
Thiago Fernandes Martins⁺⁻
Suelen Sanches Ferreira⁺⁻
Beatris Felipe Rosa ⁺⁻
Carlos Ramón Ruiz-Miranda⁺⁻
Gastón Andrés Fernandez Giné ⁺⁻
Flávio Landim Soffiati ⁺⁻
Flávia Regina Miranda⁺⁻

Fernanda Coelho Simas Bernardes

Veterinarian, Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.

Thiago Fernandes Martins

Veterinarian, DSc., Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil / Departamento de Laboratórios Especializados, Superintendência de Controle de Endemias, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1320-0146

Suelen Sanches Ferreira

Veterinarian, MSc., Instituto Tamanduá, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil. / Fundação Norte Fluminense de Desenvolvimento Regional. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.

Beatris Felipe Rosa

Biologist, MSc., Instituto Tamanduá, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5269-1240

Carlos Ramón Ruiz-Miranda

Ethologist, DSc., Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense “Darcy Ribeiro” (UENF). Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7360-0304

Gastón Andrés Fernandez Giné

Zootechnician, DSc., Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1470-3674

Flávio Landim Soffiati

Veterinarian, Fundação Norte Fluminense de Desenvolvimento Regional. Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.

Flávia Regina Miranda

Veterinarian, MSc., Instituto Tamanduá, Parnaíba, PI, Brazil / Laboratório de Biodiversidade e Saúde, UESC, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3804-3781

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Keywords

Amblyomma, Bradypus torquatus, giant tick, parasite, sloth.

How to Cite

Bernardes, F. C. S., Martins, T. F., Ferreira, S. S., Rosa , B. F., Ruiz-Miranda, C. R. ., Giné , . G. A. F., … Miranda, F. R. (2022). Sloth’s giant tick (Amblyomma varium) parasitizing free-ranging maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 44, e004021. https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004021

Abstract

Amblyomma varium is a neotropical tick popularly known as the sloth’s giant tick, during the adult stage is found almost exclusively on mammals of the Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae families of the superorder Xenarthra. The maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is the only sloth species in danger of extinction in Brazil. This species is arboreal and descends to the ground only to perform defecation behavior. This behavior can be the determining factor for infestation and infection by different parasitic agents, including A. varium. This study reported the occurrence of A. varium found parasitizing free-living maned sloths (B. torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome of Northeast and Southeast Brazil. A total of 36 individuals were evaluated and more than 50% of the individuals were parasitized by ticks of the species A. varium. This study confirmed the importance of B. torquatus as a host for adults and nymphs of A. varium and reported the variation in length of the spurs on coxa IV of A. varium males.

https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004021

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2022 Fernanda Coelho Simas Bernardes, Thiago Fernandes Martins, Suelen Sanches Ferreira, Beatris Felipe Rosa , Carlos Ramón Ruiz-Miranda, Gastón Andrés Fernandez Giné , Flávio Landim Soffiati , Flávia Regina Miranda