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Ticks and tick-borne diseases2017; 9(1); 57-66; doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.008

Contributions to the knowledge of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Colombia.

Abstract: The known tick fauna of Colombia includes 58 species (15 Argasidae and 43 Ixodidae). To add to the knowledge of the biology of ticks in Colombia, hard ticks (Ixodidae) were collected from domestic animals or vegetation during 2014-2016 in 10 of Colombia's Departments. Ticks were identified to species through morphological examinations. Taxonomic identification was confirmed for some specimens by molecular methods, including phylogenetic analyses inferred from three tick genes (cytochrome c oxidase, 16S rDNA, second internal transcribed spacer). A total of 1745 tick specimens encompassing 8 species were collected. Overall, 5 tick species were recorded on cattle [Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.)], 5 on dogs (Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma varium, R. microplus, R. sanguineus s.l.), 3 on horses (A. mixtum, D. nitens, R. sanguineus s.l.), 3 on donkeys (A. mixtum, D. nitens, R. microplus), 1 on pig (D. nitens), and 2 from vegetation (A. mixtum, A. dissimile). This included the first records of A. mixtum from two Colombian Departments, indicating that the distribution of this tick in Colombia may be broader than currently known. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that R. sanguineus s.l. specimens from 8 Departments belong to the "tropical species". Moreover, Colombian specimens of A. maculatum formed a large clade with GenBank sequences of A. maculatum and A. triste, although some Colombian specimens grouped with A. maculatum from the United States while others grouped with A. triste from Brazil. Significant polymorphisms were observed between specimens of A. ovale or D. nitens; for the former species, it is noteworthy that two distinct clades were observed. Our study provides new records for 8 tick species parasitizing domestic animals in Colombia, including species with veterinary and medical importance in the Neotropical region, such as R. microplus, R. sanguineus, D. nitens, A. mixtum, and A. maculatum. Noteworthy, we provide the first record of A. varium infesting a domestic mammal.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2017-10-14 PubMed ID: 29055642DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article explores the different species of hard ticks (Ixodidae) found in Colombia, gathering data from 10 different regions of the country during 2014-2016. Detailed analysis and identification of 8 tick species were done using morphological examinations and phylogenetic analyses. This study not only provided new records for the tick species in Colombia but also revealed geographical expansions of certain tick species.

Methodology

  • The research team collected samples of hard ticks from domestic animals and vegetation across 10 different regions of Colombia from 2014 to 2016. These regions might have been chosen to represent the diverse agroecological conditions of Colombia.
  • 1745 tick specimens were collected and then identified down to their species level using morphological examinations. This method involves studying the physical characteristics and features of the ticks.
  • For some specimens, confirmation of the taxonomic identification was done through molecular methods. These involve phylogenetic analyses (study of evolutionary relationships) using three tick genes – cytochrome c oxidase, 16S rDNA, and the second internal transcribed spacer.

Findings

  • The research identified 8 different species of ticks from the samples. Five species [Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma mixtum, Dermacentor nitens, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.)] were found on cattle, 5 were identified on dogs, 3 each were found on horses and donkeys, 1 on a pig, and 2 from vegetation.
  • Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the tropical species R. sanguineus s.l. in specimens from 8 regions. In addition, some specimens of the A. maculatum species found in Colombia showed a strong genetic connection with similar species found in the U.S and Brazil.
  • The study importantly found significant polymorphisms (variability in the genetic sequence) between specimens of A. ovale and D. nitens. For the A. ovale species, two distinct genetic groups were observed.

Significance and Conclusions

  • This study added to the existing knowledge base of tick species found in Colombia. It provides new records for 8 tick species that infest domestic animals, which include some species with notable veterinary and medical importance in the Neotropical region.
  • The study also identifies the broader geographical distribution of certain tick species than previously known. For instance, A. mixtum has now been recorded for the first time in two of the Colombian Departments sampled.
  • Remarkably, the research provides the first record of A. varium infesting a domestic mammal. This finding may stimulate increased research focus on this tick species regarding its potential veterinary and public health impacts.

Cite This Article

APA
Rivera-Páez FA, Labruna MB, Martins TF, Perez JE, Castaño-Villa GJ, Ossa-López PA, Gil CA, Sampieri BR, Aricapa-Giraldo HJ, Camargo-Mathias MI. (2017). Contributions to the knowledge of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Colombia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 9(1), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.10.008

Publication

Ticks and tick-borne diseases
ISSN: 1877-9603
NlmUniqueID: 101522599
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 57-66
PII: S1877-959X(17)30338-2

Researcher Affiliations

Rivera-Páez, Fredy A
  • Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bairro Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP13506-900, Brazil; Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Labruna, Marcelo B
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP,Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-000, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Martins, Thiago F
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo-USP,Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-000, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Perez, Jorge E
  • Grupo de Investigación BIOSALUD, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas para la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias para la Salud, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Castaño-Villa, Gabriel J
  • Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME, Departamento de Desarrollo Rural y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Ossa-López, Paula A
  • Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Gil, Carlos A
  • Grupo de Investigación GEBIOME, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Sampieri, Bruno Rodrigues
  • Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Museu de Zoologia, R. Charles Darwin s/n, cidade universitária, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Aricapa-Giraldo, Hector J
  • Departamento de Salud Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10 Apartado Aéreo 275 Manizales, Caldas, Colombia.
Camargo-Mathias, Maria I
  • Departamento de Biologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24-A, 1515, Bairro Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP13506-900, Brazil. Electronic address: micm@rc.unesp.br.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Arthropod Proteins / genetics
  • Colombia
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
  • Ixodidae / classification
  • Ixodidae / genetics
  • Ixodidae / physiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Tick Infestations / parasitology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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