Ectoparasitism by Amblyomma sp. (Acari: Ixodidae) in birds in a forest fragment in brazilian Amazonia

Amblyomma ticks parasitize birds, and may act as disease vectors, impacting their hosts. This study investigated the ectoparasite fauna of wild birds in a forest fragment in Brazilian Amazonia. Data were collected between September 2016 and February 2017 in primary and secondary forest, and an open area on the Catuaba Experimental Farm in Senador Guiomard, Acre. The birds were captured using mist-nets and the ectoparasites were collected with tweezers, placed in labeled flasks (70% alcohol), and identified in the USP Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases (VPS/FMVZ/USP). Overall, 11.61% (n=28) of the 241 birds captured were parasitised by tick nymphs (Ixodidae), which were identified to genus or species. One species, Amblyomma sp., was recorded on 66.66% (n=16) of the parasitized birds, belonging to the species Monasa nigrifrons, Hypocnemis subflava, Sittasomus griseicapillus, Xiphorhynchus guttatus, Pipra fasciicauda, Poecilotriccus latirostris, Hemitriccus flammulatus, Ramphotrigon megacephalum, Turdus amaurochalinus, Ramphocelus carbo, and Dendrocincla fuliginosa. Amblyomma nodosum was recorded on 20.83% (n=5) of the infected birds, representing Poecilotriccus latirostris, Ramphotrigon megacephalum, and Ramphocephalus carbo, while A. humerale was found on 16.66% (n=4), belonging to the species Momotus momota, Sittasomus griseicapillus and Xiphorhynchus guttatus, and A. longirostre on 16.66% (n=4), belonging to Dendroplex picus and Ramphocelus carbo. These wild birds act as amplifiers of the ectoparasites. The immature Amblyomma exploit the blood supply of their hosts. The results of the study indicate low rates of infection by Amblyomma nymphs in the wild birds of the study area.