Conspecific hyperparasitism in two Ornithodoros species (Ixodida: Argasidae) endemic to Brazil, and interspecific hyperparasitism between Amblyomma sculptum and Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae)

Abstract

Hyperparasitism has been observed in soft and hard tick species around the world. In Brazil, the phenomenon of hyperparasitism has only been observed conspecifically in hard ticks of the genus Amblyomma. In the present study, we report unprecedented cases of hyperparasitism in soft and hard ticks. Conspecific hyperparasitism is reported for Ornithodoros fonsecai and Ornithodoros tabajara, while interspecific hyperparasitism is reported for Amblyomma sculptum on Rhipicephalus microplus.