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General and Local Morphological Anomalies in Amblyomma lepidum (Acari: Ixodidae) and Rhipicephalus decoloratus Infesting Cattle in Uganda

Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Morphological abnormalities in ticks seem to be rare phenomena in nature, and are underreported in Africa. In this article, we describe general and local anomalies in two Amblyomma lepidum females and one Rhipicephalus decoloratus female collected from cattle in Moroto and Kasese districts, Uganda. One A. lepidum specimen displayed metagynander gynandromorphism with the presence of both male and female features in the same organism. The second A. lepidum female showed slight asymmetry and lacked a genital aperture. The R. decoloratus displayed multiple anomalies that included asymmetry on the right side in association with ectromely, chitinous formations and constrictions on the left side. This article presents the first report of metagynander gynandromorphism, as well as genital aperture absence which is not linked to gynandromorphism, in A. lepidum collected from cattle.
DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjy221
Authors: Stephen Balinandi, Lawrence Mugisha, Johnson Bbira, William Kabasa, Teddy Nakayiki, Deon K Bakkes, Julius J Lutwama, Lidia Chitimia-Dobler, Maja Malmberg
Institutions: Makerere University, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Conservation and Ecosystem Health Alliance, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, University of Hohenheim, Institut für Mikrobiologie der Bundeswehr, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,328
OpenAlex ID: W2906508697
FWCI: 1.734
Cites: 39
Cited by: 23
Related to: 10