Lifecycle of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides Supino, 1897 (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is a three-host hard tick widely distributed in Sri Lanka. The lifecycle of the R. haemaphysaloides population in Sri Lanka was studied under laboratory conditions using fully engorged females collected from dogs. Larvae, nymphs and adults were reared on New Zealand rabbits. Engorged females weighed a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 470.1 ± 106.5 mg and laid a mean ± SD of 4067.4 ± 3136.2 eggs within 16.1 ± 3.7 days. The mean ± SD preoviposition period was 6.5 ± 1.1 days. The mean ± SD reproductive efficiency index was 8.5 ± 4.1, and was higher in heavier females (Pearson correlation, r = 0.8; P = 0.001). The incubation period of eggs was shorter at higher temperatures. The majority (86.9%) of larvae successfully moulted after a mean ± SD premoulting period of 7.9 ± 0.7 days following a parasitic period of 3.2 ± 0.5 days. Unfed larvae survived a mean ± SD of 103.4 ± 19.8 days. Nymphs completed the bloodmeal after 3.7 ± 0.9 days, weighed 5.7 ± 1.7 mg and demonstrated a premoulting period of 15.1 ± 1.9 days. Unfed nymphs survived a mean ± SD of 45.8 ± 3.8 days. Heavier nymphs moulted into females, whereas lighter nymphs moulted into males (two-sample t-test, P < 0.001). The bodyweight of adult females increased more than 100-fold after feeding. The lifecycle of R. haemaphysaloides was successfully completed on rabbits within a mean of 91.3 days (range: 69-117 days) under laboratory conditions.

Identification, Distribution, and Habitat Suitability Models of Ixodid Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan

“…Temperatures and rainfalls are also comparatively low. Generally, temperature is considered to be the key climatic factor influencing the biological performance of this tick [63]. However, our findings suggest that R. haemaphysaloides might be tolerating cooler temperatures than other tick species at some point in their life cycle.…”

“…Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides was the second most predominant tick species in this study (Table 3) and was collected from 20 subdistricts. This typical three-host tick has a limited geographical distribution in the world [63]; however, it is widely distributed in the neighboring Indian states bordering Bhutan [47] and China [64]. Unlike R. microplus, the prevalence of R. haemaphysaloides was greater in animals sampled from Trashigang (56.9%) compared with those sampled in Pema Gatshel (15.4%).…”

Ixodidae – A rare cause of blepharitis

“…Moulting occurs off the host and the next stage may infect either the same host or a new host. [ 4 ] The natural hosts of adult R. hemophysaloides include dogs, cattle, goats, pigs, and human beings are incidental hosts. [ 4 ]…”

“…[ 4 ] The natural hosts of adult R. hemophysaloides include dogs, cattle, goats, pigs, and human beings are incidental hosts. [ 4 ]…”

The complete mitochondrial genome of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and its phylogenetic analysis

“…It is mainly found in hot and humid Southeast Asian countries, including China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia (Diyes et al. 2017 ), Sri Lanka (Dilrukshi et al. 2004 ), and Thailand (Tantrawatpan et al.…”