Ciclo biológico comparado de Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae) alimentados em Gallus gallus

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to describe the biological aspects of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus in controlled conditions to 27±1ºC and 80±10% (RH) and outdoor condition. The eggs originated of A. (P.) miniatus females were incubated in conditions mentioned above. The emerged larvae were fed in chick, while the nymphal and adult stages were fed in chicken. The nymphal instars biological characteristics were studied to 15, 30 and 60 days fast periods. The biological aspects of nymphal and adult stages were studied in outdoor condition in the dry (May to October) and rainy (November to April) station. The feeding time, recovery percentage, mortality percentage, weight before and after feeding, molting periods, preoviposition and oviposition, daily eggs output, incubation period, hatching percentage, estimated reproduction and nutritional index were evaluated. The larvae medium weight was 0,94 ± 0,13mg with a medium weight gain of approximately 81,37 times. In acclimatized camera the molting medium period was 6,37±0,24 days, while in outdoor conditions it was 8,12±0,95 days. When evaluated the larvae fixation capacity submitted to different fast periods was observed that unfed larvae maintained in acclimatized camera and outdoor conditions were capable to attachment in birds with fast periods from 6 to 75 days and 8 to 60 days, respectively. When nymphs were submitted to 15 and 30 days fast periods, in both conditions, the development of second and third nymphal instars happened. When submitted to 60 fast period days were verified mortality of 28 and 37% in acclimatized camera and outdoor condition, respectively and survivors do not attachment on the hosts. The nymphs of second instar submitted to 60 fast days developed, in both conditions, in third nymphal instar and male adults. Still in the group submitted to 60 fast days, the nymphs of third instar developed in adults (42,42% and 40,54% males; 36,36% and 48,65% females in outdoor condition and acclimatized camera, respectively) and the others developed in third nymphs instars, and further, developed in female adults. The medium number of produced eggs varied of 46 to 138 eggs in the 18 female s oviposition maintained in controlled conditions; 41 to 108 eggs in the 9 female s oviposition at the rainy station; and 74 to 138 eggs for the females at the dry station, with significant difference in all experimental conditions. The medium duration of the cycle with adults occurrence in N2 was 49.05 days in acclimatized camera, 53.01 days in the dry station and 67.41 days in the rainy station. The results obtained in the present study demonstrate that the biological aspects of A. (P.) miniatus are influenced by climatic factors, occurring a biological cycle prolongation during the dry station, period that the temperature is lower.