First record of immature stages of Amblyomma tigrinum (Acari: Ixodidae) on wild birds in Chile.
For the first time, larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma tigrinum ticks were found on three species of wild birds (Zenaida auriculata, Callipepla californica and Nothoprocta perdicaria) in Chile. A significant higher number of A. tigrinum was found on fledglings of Z. auriculata and N. perdicaria than on adults of these species of birds. A significant higher number was also observed on N. perdicaria living in non-irrigated areas as compared with irrigated areas. Infestation levels were 6.5, 6.3 and 10.2 ticks for Z. auriculata, C. californica and N. perdicaria, respectively. Our results suggest that birds are important in the maintenance of the life cycle of A. tigrinum ticks in the area.
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla, Chillán, Chile. danigonz@udec.cl
Daniel
D
Gonzalez-Acuña
Jose
J
Venzal
Oscar
O
Skewes-Ramm
Luis
L
Rubilar-Contreras
Arwid
A
Daugschies
Alberto A
AA
Guglielmone
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D001717:Birds; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*