Rango de distribución geográfica de garrapatas duras (Acari: Ixodidae) nativas que parasitan a los bovinos en áreas con ganadería extensiva de la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina = Geographic range size of native hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that parasitize cattle from areas with extensive livestock farming from Santa Fe Province, Argentina

Abstract

Se analizaron los registros históricos de las especies de garrapatas duras (Acari: Ixodidae) nativas para la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina, determinándose áreas de ausencia y presencia, trazando transectas, que se validaron mediante nuevas colectas de garrapatas en fases de vida libre (vegetación) y parasitaria (bovinos, humanos y hospedadores silvestres). Se desarrollaron mapas de distribución geográfica para las especies de garrapatas de los géneros Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis e Ixodes que han sido reportadas parasitando a bovinos y aquellas que no. Se informan, para la provincia de Santa Fe, ocho especies de garrapatas que han sido previamente reportadas parasitando bovinos en la región neotropical (A. aureolatum, A. dubitatum, A. parvum, A. sculptum, A. tigrinum, A. triste, H. juxtakochie I. chacoensis) y seis especies de garrapatas nativas que no parasitan a bovinos (A. argentinae, A. auricularium, A. calcaratum, A. ovale, H. leporispalustris e I. loricatus). Además, se describen las asociaciones parásito-hospedador de cada una de ellas en la provincia, algunas de las cuales son potenciales vectores de microorganismos patógenos para los seres humanos. Esta información podría ser de utilidad a la hora de delinear estrategias de control de garrapatas en bovinos y para el monitoreo epidemiológico de enfermedades zoonóticas de transmisión vectorial.

Historical records of native hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) from Santa Fe Province, Argentina, were analyzed. From these records, areas of absence and occurrence were determined, and transects were drawn that were validated through new collections of ticks in the free-living (in vegetation) and parasitic (in cattle, humans and wild hosts) phases.Geographic distribution maps were developed for tick species of the genera Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis and Ixodes that have been reported parasitizing cattle and those that have not. As a result, eight species of ticks that have been previously recorded parasitizing cattle in the Neotropical region (A. aureolatum, A. dubitatum, A. parvum, A. sculptum, A. tigrinum, A. triste, H. juxtakochi and I. chacoensis) and six species of native ticks that do not parasitize cattle (A. argentinae, A. auricularium, A. calcaratum, A. ovale, H. leporispalustris and I. loricatus) were reported for Santa Fe Province. In addition, the parasite-host associations for each of them were described. Some of the recorded species are potential vectors of pathogenic microorganisms for humans. This information may be useful when outlining tick control strategies in cattle and for incorporating into epidemiological monitoring programs for zoonotic vector-borne diseases.