Ticks, Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: ixodidae), on toads, Chaunus schneideri and Chaunus granulosus (Anura: bufonidae), in northern Argentina.
This communication provides notes on 2 species of toads, Chaunus schneideri and Chaunus granulosus, infested with ixodid ticks, Amblyomma rotundatum, from the provinces of Corrientes and Formosa in northern Argentina. Chaunus schneideri is a new amphibian host record for A. rotundatum, a species previously reported to parasitize other anurans and also reptiles. We examined 74 ticks on 5 toads. All ticks were A. rotundatum; all adults were females, and all developmental stages were randomly attached to host body parts. Ticks remained attached to one of the toads for from 7 to 17 days after the host was captured. One toad, encumbered with 33 ticks, was moribund when found and died shortly thereafter.
Smith
Robert L
RL
Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. bobsmith@cals.arizona.edu
Schnack
Juan A
JA
Schaefer
Eduardo F
EF
Kehr
Arturo I
AI
D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002025:Bufonidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000662:veterinary; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*