[Biological characteristics of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) on dog under experimental infestation]

Boophilus microplus, a common parasite of cattle, has eventually reported in dogs. To describe biological features of this parasitism, one dog was experimentally infested with 10,000 larvae of B. microplus which were previously held in acclimatized camera at 27+/-1 degrees C and relative humidity up to 80%. The mean of parasitic phase was 24.4+/-1.50 days, with 0.42% of recovery rate. Of 21 natural detached B. microplus females, six engorged enough (75.1+/-30.23 mg) to achieve posture. The mean period of pre-posture was 4.33+/-1.37 days and the means period of posture was 9.17+/-2.32, producing a mean of 18.78+/-15.34 posture weight. The mean of eggs production index observed was 22.38%. The results showed that B. microplus females fed on dogs to complete their life cycle. The females collected were able to ovoposite viable eggs suggesting that dogs can be a possible alternative hosts to B. microplus, especially when there is no other preferential host species available.