The developmental success of Amblyomma hebraeum and Amblyomma marmoreum on the leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis.

Abstract

The success of natural infestations of various life history stages of Amblyomma hebraeum and Amblyomma marmoreum on the leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis, was compared. Success was measured by the time taken for ticks to detach, as well as the percentage of ticks engorging and subsequently either moulting to the next life history stage or laying viable eggs. Larvae of A. hebraeum were the only developmental stage not recovered. Nymphae and female A. hebraeum were less successful in moulting or laying eggs than the corresponding stages of A. marmoreum. Nevertheless, 48,7 % of A. hebraeum nymphae moulted, while 1 of 6 females laid viable eggs.