A rare case of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation on a Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra) (Primates: Atelidae) in Petén, Guatemala

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 144 - 147, 31.07.2025

Irena Dione Méndez , Sergio Alejandro Morales Jorge David Morán , Lillian Dominguez , Sergio Bermudez Castillero

https://doi.org/10.47121/acarolstud.1743293

Abstract

Rhipicephalus microplus is a globally significant one-host tick that primarily infests cattle. In the Neotropics, this species has been reported on various wild mammals—such as cervids, tapirs, rodents, bats, carnivores and primates—as well as occasionally from humans. Here we report a rare case of R. microplus infestation in a rescued black howler (Alouatta pigra) from Melchor de Mencos, Petén, Guatemala. This tick-host association, documented at the ARCAS Wildlife Rescue Centre, highlights the expanding host range of R. microplus and emphasises the importance of continued surveillance regarding its health consequences in wildlife, zoonotic potential, and host adaptability.

Keywords

Neotropical tick biodiversity , wildlife ticks , new host-parasite association , cattle ticks

Ethical Statement

Not applicable.

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Thanks

We thank the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for their technical support through the Selva Maya Program. We also extend our gratitude to Publio Gonzalez (Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panama) for his assistance and guidance in the preparation of the map.

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