Cattle tick differentiates between the odors of Holstein Friesian and Nelore cattle/Carrapato de bovinos diferencia o odor de bovinos da raca Holandesa e Nelore

Although Rhipicephalus micro-plus mainly parasitizes bovines, different breeds can have variable parasite burdens, with indian breeds being less susceptible to tick infestation than european breeds. These ticks use pasture questing to seek out their hosts in the open spaces of their grassland habita...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ciência rural 2015-11, p.2023
Main Authors: Borges, Ligia Miranda Ferreira, Duarte, Sabrina Castilho, Louly, Carla Cristina Braz
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
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Summary:Although Rhipicephalus micro-plus mainly parasitizes bovines, different breeds can have variable parasite burdens, with indian breeds being less susceptible to tick infestation than european breeds. These ticks use pasture questing to seek out their hosts in the open spaces of their grassland habitats. Using an olfactometer bioassay, where the larva could express questing, the authors aimed to answer whether R. microplus exhibit different behaviors depending on the bovine breed. Sixteen larvae were individually exposed to the odors of five holstein friesian cattle, five nelore cattle, hexane (negative control) and 2-nitrophenol (positive control). The highest questing responses were observed to 2-nitrophenol and holstein odors. The lowest response was observed to the solvent and was statistically similar to nelore odors. It is possible to conclude that R. microplus express different questing behaviors depending on the odor of the breed perceived. This behavior can help R. microplus to avoid parasitizing nelore bovines and is biologically advantageous for the tick because it is known that ticks that feed on this host have impaired development. Key words: Rhipicephalus microplus, questing behavior, olfactometer. Embora Rhipicephalus microplus parasite principalmente bovinos, diferentes racas podem ter cargas parasitarias variaveis, sendo os bovinos indianos menos suscetiveis a esse carrapato que os bovinos europeus. Este carrapato usa um comportamento de procura conhecido como questing para encontrar seu hospedeiro nas pastagens. Utilizando um teste em olfatometro, onde a larva podia expressar o questing, objetivou-se responder se a larva podia expressar diferentes comportamentos dependendo da raca de bovino envolvida. Dezesseis larvas foram expostas para os odores de cinco bovinos holandeses, cinco nelores, hexano (controle negativo) e 2-nitrofenol (controle positivo). As mais altas respostas foram observadas para o 2-nitrofenol e odor de holandes. A mais baixa resposta foi observada para o solvente e foi estatisticamente similar ao odor de nelore. E possivel concluir que R. microplus expressa de forma diferente o comportamento de questing dependendo do odor da raca de bovinos percebido. Esse comportamento pode ajudar R. microplus a evitar parasitar bovinos nelore, o que e biologicamente vantajoso para o carrapato, uma vez que se sabe que carrapatos alimentados neste hospedeiro tem seu desenvolvimento comprometido. Palavras-chave: Rhipicephalus microplus, c
ISSN:0103-8478
1678-4596
DOI:10.1590/0103-8478cr00150010