First zootiological survey of Amblyomma geoemydae ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting a wild turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) in northern Taiwan.
Exp Appl Acarol
; 88(3-4): 349-359, 2022 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36308607
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of Amblyomma geoemydae infesting yellow-margined box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) was determined for the first time in northern Taiwan. In total, 352 ticks (140 adults, 61 nymphs and 151 larvae) were collected from 56 yellow-margined box turtles. The overall infestation was observed with an average density of 6.3 ticks per turtle and the highest seasonal prevalence was observed on March with an average tick density of 14.3 ticks per turtle. The higher seasonal prevalence was observed on April, May, July and October with an average density of 4.8, 8.3, 5.7 and 8.5 ticks per turtle, respectively. The seasonal activity of these turtles may contribute to the variation in the number of collected ticks. The genetic identity was determined by comparing the sequences of ITS2 genes obtained from seven Taiwan species of A. geoemydae and nine other species representing eight Amblyomma species and Ixodes persulcatus as outgroup. Our results provide the first zootiological survey of A. geoemydae infesting wild turtles in northern Taiwan and highlight the importance of this tick species in the study of parasite dynamics on testudines in Taiwan. Further study focused on the seasonality pattern of turtle ticks will help reveal the ecology of this host-parasite system and its impact on animal/human health.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Garrapatas
/
Tortugas
/
Ixodidae
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
País como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article