Ticks parasitizing free-ranging armadillos in the Caatinga biome, Brazil

Abstract

This study reports the occurrence of ticks on free-ranging armadillos in the Serra das Almas Natural Reserve located in the interior of the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil. Collected ticks were morphologically identified by using standard taxonomic keys and stereomicroscope. We provide the first records of Amblyomma sculptum on Tolypeutes tricinctus, in addition to A. auricularium adults on Dasypus septemcinc­ tus in the Brazilian exclusive biome, the Caatinga.