Richness and abundance of ticks associated with domestic animals at different altitudes in Southern Mexico

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam) 2024-11, Vol.56, p.101136, Article 101136
• Main Authors: Ulloa-García, Armando, Torres-Monzon, Jorge A., Toledo, José Balam Guillen, López-López, Noe, Galvez-Velazquez, Daniel, Velazquez-Figueroa, Daymer, Bermúdez, Sergio E., Herrera-Mares, Angel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Altitude; Altitudinal range; Animals; Animals, Domestic - parasitology; Biodiversity; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Chiapas; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs - parasitology; Female; Horse Diseases - epidemiology; Horse Diseases - parasitology; Horses - parasitology; Ixodidae; Ixodidae - classification; Ixodidae - physiology; Male; Mexico - epidemiology; Tick Infestations - epidemiology; Tick Infestations - parasitology; Tick Infestations - veterinary; Ticks; Ticks - classification; Ticks - physiology
• ISSN: 2405-9390; 2405-9390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101136

The objective of this study was to determine the richness, abundance, and altitudinal distribution of ticks collected from domestic animals in five municipalities and sixteen distinct communities along the Pacific coast of southern Mexico in Chiapas. Ticks were sampled from dogs, horses, and cows in each range. A total of 311 hosts were sampled, of which 264 (85 %) were dogs, 26 (8 %) were horses, and 21 (7 %) were cows. Of these, 83 (26 %), 17 (5 %), and 7 (2 %) hosts were infested, respectively. A total of 583 ticks were collected, representing four genera and six species. The most prevalent species was Rhipicephalus linnaei (68.61 %, n = 400), followed by Rhipicephalus microplus (0.51 %, n = 3), Amblyomma ovale (1.71 %, n = 10), Amblyomma mixtum (1.71 %, n = 10), Ixodes ci. boliviensis (2.22 %, n = 13), and Dermacentor dissimilis (25.21 %, n = 147). Of the identified ticks, A. mixtum, A. ovale, R. microplus, and R. linnaei were distributed at elevations between 0 and 1000 m, while at elevations between 1000 and 2000 m, only the species I. ci. boliviensis and D. dissimilis were found. The characteristics of each locality are discussed in order to explain the abundance of ticks and to assess their potential risk as vectors of public health pathogens. [Display omitted] •Tick sampling was conducted at various altitudes in southern Mexico.•We report sequences of Rhipicephalus linnaei in the state of Chiapas.•A reduction in the richness and abundance of ticks was observed at high altitudes.