Publications des agents du Cirad

Cirad

Is the distribution of Amblyomma variegatum influenced by interspecific competition with Amblyomma hebraeum? Preliminary study: distribution range in Mozambique

Bournez L., Cangi N., Stachurski F., Lancelot R., Martinez D., Lefrançois T., Pradel J., Neves L.. 2012. In : E-sove 2012 : from biology to integrated control in a changing world. Abstract book. Montpellier : European Society for Vector Ecology, p. 116-117. Conférence E-SOVE. 18, 2012-10-08/2012-10-11, Montpellier (France).

Widely spread in intertropical and subtropical areas of Africa, the southern distribution of Amblyomma variegatum in Mozambique seems to have its limit around the Save River, at the 22nd parallel South. This area also corresponds to the northern limit of another Amblyomma tick, A. hebraeum. Several authors use to explain the absence of A. variegatum more southwards by an interspecific competition with A. hebraeum. Whereas only A. variegatum is known to favor dermatophilosis, a skin disease that can cause important burden in ruminants, both species are good vectors of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the bacteria causing heartwater, a fatal disease of ruminants representing a major constraint for livestock development in Africa. However, their vector competence may be different and vary according to the strain of E. ruminantium. As a result, the bio-ecology and distribution of those vectors in the field may result in specific epidemiological patterns for the diseases they transmit and are important to understand to adopt proper sanitary control and prevention measures. Little information on current (last decade) Amblyomma distribution in Mozambique is available, and little is known on the factors influencing their distribution. More especially, the existence of a distribution overlap, as observed in Zimbabwe is not known in Mozambique. Indeed the extent of this overlap and the distribution of A. variegatum and A. hebraeum in this particular area represent useful information to assess potential interspecific competition. The objective of this study is to assess the current distribution of A. variegatum and A. hebraeum in this country and to better locate and characterize species limitation ranges around the Save River with a view to further identify the factors influencing their distribution. First, an exhaustive literature review was made to collect all published and unpublished data relating to the distribution of A. variegatum and A. hebraeum in Africa. A field entomological

Documents associés

Communication de congrès

Agents Cirad, auteurs de cette publication :