Amblyomma dissimile

Koch, 1844

Iguana Tick

Amblyomma dissimile is a hard (Ixodidae) with an exceptionally broad range spanning amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds across the Neotropics. It is commonly known as the Iguana Tick due to frequent associations with iguanid lizards. The exhibits a three-host and has been documented to reproduce parthenogenetically. Its distribution extends from the southern United States through Central America and South America to northern Argentina, with highest environmental suitability in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes.

The life history and bionomics of some North American ticks (1912) (14771524925) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Amblyomma dissimile: /ˈæm.bliˌɒ.mə ˌdɪˈsɪm.ɪ.li/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Amblyomma dissimile can be distinguished from the similar A. rotundatum by its more restricted distribution in Brazil, being mainly confined to Amazon and Pantanal regions where A. rotundatum shows broader suitability. Females may be separated from A. americanum (lone star ) by the absence of the characteristic white scutal spot. The lacks the scutal patterns seen in some .

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Habitat

Primarily associated with tropical and subtropical environments. In Brazil, distribution modeling indicates highest environmental suitability in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes. Occupies forest floor and vegetation layers where occur.

Distribution

Widespread across the Neotropics from southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and South America to northern Argentina. Documented in Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. In Brazil, records from Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and São Paulo.

Diet

Obligate hematophage; feeds on blood of vertebrate across multiple classes including amphibians (particularly Bufonidae), reptiles (Squamata, Testudines, Crocodilia), mammals, and birds.

Host Associations

  • Bufo marinus - primary Commonest natural ; all parasitic stages recorded
  • Bufo peltocephalus - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Bufo schneideri - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Proechimys semispinosus - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Boa constrictor - primary Commonest natural ; all parasitic stages recorded
  • Epicrates striatus - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Oxybelis aeneus - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Cyclura cychlura - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Iguana iguana - primary Commonest natural ; all parasitic stages recorded; source of
  • Tupinambis teguixin - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Trachemys scripta - All parasitic stages recorded
  • Ameiva ameiva - First record for Teiidae in Brazil
  • Chilabothrus subflavus - Jamaican Boa
  • Homo sapiens - incidental Recorded but not primary

Life Cycle

Three- ; each active stage (larva, nymph, ) feeds on a different host individual. Larvae and nymphs typically feed on smaller hosts including amphibians and small reptiles; adults feed on larger reptiles and mammals. Females convert blood meal protein into thousands of . Capable of parthenogenetic .

Behavior

Engages in questing , climbing vegetation and extending forelegs to encounter passing .

Ecological Role

of tetrapods; potential for microorganisms including bellii, Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi, Anaplasma-like organisms, and Hepatozoon sp. Serves as for hyperparasitic mites (Geckobiella stamii documented).

Human Relevance

Documented to bite humans though not a primary . Potential for rickettsial and other . May be transported via legal and illegal trade of reptiles and amphibians, contributing to geographic spread.

Similar Taxa

  • Amblyomma rotundatumSimilar and overlapping range; distinguished by broader distribution in Brazil and higher environmental suitability across non-Amazonian regions
  • Amblyomma americanumLacks the characteristic white scutal spot present in female lone star ticks; different geographic range (A. americanum temperate North America vs. A. dissimile Neotropical)

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Sources and further reading