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

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

doi: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.

Highlights

The species Amblyomma varium was first described by Koch (1844), in a male specimen, without data on host and locality
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
This study reports the new findings of the tick A. varium Koch, 1844 found parasitizing free‐living maned sloths (B. torquatus) in the Atlantic Forest biome of Northeast and Southeast Brazil

Summary

Introduction

The species Amblyomma varium was first described by Koch (1844), in a male specimen, without data on host and locality. Amblyomma varium is a neotropical tick, distributed in the following Brazilian states: Pará, Acre, Amazonas, Rondônia, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Mato Grosso, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo (Acosta et al, 2016; Gruhn et al, 2019; Sanches et al, 2014; Witter et al, 2016;). 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 (Marques et al, 2002; Onofrio et al, 2008)

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