FIRST REPORT OF Amblyomma brasiliense (Acari: Ixodidae) AMONG Myocastor coypus (MOLINA, 1782) IN THE PLATEAU REGION OF SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

This short communication reports ectoparasitism on a Myocastor coypus specimen found lifeless, killed by motor vehicles in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil, near the SC-438 highway. Necropsy examination revealed the presence of ticks of the Ixodidae family on the ventral region of the animal’s body. Fourteen female specimens were collected and identified as Amblyomma brasiliense, with the following phenotypic characteristics: ornate scutum with whitish spots, strong spines on coxa I, spines on the internal border shorter than on the external border, half of the article length, and spines on the internal boarder on coxae II to IV were short and not very evident. The use of wild animals killed by motor vehicles on highways has proven to be relevant to the study of parasitic fauna. Although the occurrence of A. brasiliense among rodents has been previously reported, this is the first report in the literature of that species among M. coypus.