Ixodid Ticks of the genus Amblyomma
are parasites of Mammals found on all continents except Europe and Antarctica,
but at their most diverse in South America, with 31 species described from
Brazil alone (46% of all known Tick species from Brazil). These Ticks are known
to be vectors for a variety of zoonotic diseases (diseases which typically
infect animals but which can also spread to humans), particularly members of
the genus Rickettsia (Gram Negative Bacteria which cause diseases such as Typhus, African Tick Fever and Rocky Mountain Fever - but not rickets, which is a form of malnutrition).
In a paper published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in January 2015, Felipe Krawczak and Thiago Martins of the Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health at the University of São Paulo,
Caroline Oliveira of the Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine at the
Federal University of Santa Maria, Linda Binder and Francisco Costa, also of
the Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health at the University
of São Paulo, Pablo Nunes of the Institute of Biosciences at São Paulo StateUniversity, and Fábio Gregori and Marcelo Labruna, again of the Department of
Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health at the University of São Paulo,
describe a new species of Amblyomma from
the Parque Estadual do Turvo Atlantic Rainforest Reserve in Rio Grande do Sul
State in southern Brazil, discovered as part of an investigation into the
ecology of Tick-borne Spotted Fever.
The new species is named Amblyomma yucumense,
in reference to the Yucumã Falls, on the Uruguay River in the Parque Estadual do
Turvo. The species is described from ten adult males and nine adult females
collected from vegetation and thirty-three nymphs (juveniles) collected from
five species of small Mammals; Didelphis aurita (the Big Eared Opposum),
Sooretamys angouya (the Paraguayan Rice Rat), Euryoryzomys russatus (the Russet Rice Rat), Akodon montensis (the Montane Grass Mouse) and Oxymycterus judex (Judge's Burrowing Mouse). Males ranged from 4.13 mm to 5.36 mm in
length, and were roughly oval in shape and brown in colour with pale orange
markings. Females ranged from 3.18 mm to 4.79 mm in length, and were more
elliptical in shape, with a brown colouration with large yellow markings.
Dorsal view of the adult stages of Amblyomma yucumense (A) male and (B) female. Krawczak et al. (2015).
The absence of adult Amblyomma yucumense specimens
on the small Mammals examined, combined with the presence of adults on
vegetation strongly suggests that the adults have a different host preference
to the juveniles. The adults collected were all found on vegetation between 50
cm and 80 cm above the ground, and frequently alongside specimens of Amblyomma incisum, which is known to
parasitize Tapirs, Tapirus terrestris,
large Mammals (i.e. more than 80 cm high), known to inhabit the area and to
utilize paths close to the plants upon which the ticks were collected, strongly
suggesting that this is the usual host species for adult Amblyomma yucumense also.
Scanning electron microscope image of a female
specimen of Amblyomma yucumense in
dorsal view. Scale bar is 400 μm. Krawczak et
al. (2015).
A genetic analysis of the phylogeny of Amblyomma yucumense suggests that it is most closely related to Amblyomma coelebs, the ecology of which
is unclear, and also closely related to Amblyomma dubitatum,
a species which it resembles closely, but which is known to target Capybaras, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; neither Amblyomma dubitatum nor Capybaras were
found in the area where Amblyomma yucumensewas
discovered, ruling out this Mammal as a host species for adults of the species,
and suggesting that changes in host species preference might be linked to speciation
within the group.
Scanning electron microscope image of a female
specimen of Amblyomma yucumense,
showing the head and mouthparts in ventral view. Scale bar is 200 μm. Krawczak et al. (2015).
Amblyomma yucumenseis currently known only from the Parque Estadual do Turvo Atlantic
Rainforest Reserve in Rio Grande do Sul State in southern Brazil, however this
park is contiguous with a larger area of rainforest in northern Argentina,
making it highly likely that the species is found there also.
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