Amblyomma ticks found on cattle in the northwest of Argentina. Preliminary report

The phytogeographical and seasonal distributions of three species of Amblyomma ticks found on cattle are presented. The material studied was collected during a four-year survey in the Northwest of Argentina. Amblyomma neumanni shows predilection for the Chaqueno Serrano district although it was also found in ecotones (phytogeographical transition zones) of the adjacent Western Chaqueno district and the province of Las Yungas. Amblyomma cajennense was found in the Western Chaqueno and Chaqueno Serrano districts as well as in the province of Las Yungas. Amblyomma parvum was found in all the Western Chaqueno district and in the northern driest part of the Chaqueno Serrano district. Amblyomma neumanni seems to be inactive in summer while A. parvum adults predominate in summer and disappear in winter. The scarcity of the preimaginal stages of A. parvum on cattle suggests that these stages prefer non-bovine hosts.