A first record of ticks in free-ranging giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in the Brazilian amazon

Abstract

Studies of the biology and ecology of the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) have increased considerably during the past few years. However, information on epidemiologic aspects of this species is still scarce in the literature. A series of helminthes were recorded parasitizing giant otters, but they were all endoparasites. To date, there is no record of ectoparasites reported for this species. In the present study, we report for the first time the occurrence of a tick nymph of the morphospecies Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto (s.s.) attached to the lower right lip of a free-ranging giant otter. The location where the tick was attached suggests that other areas of the giant otter body far from the head would preclude hematophagy due to the amount of time otters spend in the water while swimming and feeding. Increased records of A. cajennense s.s. parasitizing different hosts in the Amazon basin will contribute to future molecular analysis and to a better taxonomic and geographic knowledge of this species of the Brazilian Amazon, as well as to a better knowledge of the epidemiologic aspects of the endangered giant otter.