Ticks of Uruguay

species, hosts, distribution and health importance

Abstract

The list of Uruguay tick species is actualized. The 31 listed species were classified in the following categories: residents (15 species), probably residents (3), accidentals (1), to confirm (4), erroneous diagnosis (6) and mistaken records (2 species). The new systematic status of some species is clarified, and the more outstanding synonymies, the host and the geographical distribution within Uruguay are indicated. As regards the sanitary impact, Boophilus microplus is still the only species with economic significance to livestock, whereas for human health Amblyomma triste is the most important species because is the only one involved with rickettsias' transmision in our country. Several other species, such as Ornithodoros talaje, Ixodes pararicinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were identified as potential vectors of diseases to animals and humans. Factors as the introduction of transmissible microorganisms with carrier animals, ecological and climate changes, and the human colonization of certain zones of the country, may occasione that this risk becomes a reality.