Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation in wool sheep in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

Rhipicephalus microplus is the most important tick species for cattle in tropical regions. In Brazil, there are few reports of this tick parasitizing sheep. However, mixed grazing between cattle and sheep is common, which can lead to cross-infection. This case report describes the occurrence of tick infestations in wool sheep at the Agroecology Nucleus of the Ressacada Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Infestations were diagnosed months after pasture was shared with naturally infested cattle. The ticks were found on four sheep. In the UFSC Animal Parasitology Laboratory, a total of 807 ticks were identified and counted. The ram presented the highest parasitic load. As this is an organic breeding system, the treatment consisted of manually removing ticks and applying an essential oil-based repellent. This case report demonstrates that R. microplus can complete its life cycle in wool sheep, suggesting its relevance as an ectoparasite of sheep in integrated systems with cattle.