Amblyomma tapirellum (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from tropical forest canopy

• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.2-194.v2
• Publication Date: 2014-01-28T11:04:36Z
• Authors: Jose R Loaiza; Matthew J Miller; Eldredge Bermingham; Oris I Sanjur; Patrick A Jansen; Jose R Rovira; Eric Alvarez; Eric Rodriguez; Philip Davis; Larissa C Dutari; James Pecor; Desmond Foley; Meghan Radtke; Montira J Pongsiri
• Keywords: Arboreal locomotion; Panama; Tree canopy

<ns4:p>Free-ranging ticks are widely known to be restricted the ground level of vegetation. Here, we document capture tick species <ns4:italic>Amblyomma tapirellum</ns4:italic> in light traps placed forest canopy Barro Colorado Island, central Panama. A total forty eight adults and three nymphs were removed from carbon dioxide–octenol baited CDC suspended 20 meters above during surveys for mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this represents first report questing tropical forests. Our finding suggests a novel ecological relationship between <ns4:italic>A. tapirellum </ns4:italic>and arboreal mammals, perhaps monkeys that come drink or feed on fallen fruits.</ns4:p>