Ticks Recovered from Opportunistically Examined Greater Grisons (Galictis vittata) in Veracruz, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding ectoparasites associated with the greater grison (Galictis vittata) remains scarce throughout most of its geographic range, particularly in Mexico. Previous reports of tick parasitism in this mustelid are limited and restricted mainly to isolated records from Central and South America. In the present study, ticks recovered from two G. vittata individuals from Veracruz, Mexico, were identified using morphological and molecular approaches, and screened for selected bacterial microorganisms. METHODS: Two G. vittata from northern Veracruz, Mexico, were examined for ectoparasites. Ticks were morphologically identified and representative specimens were molecularly characterized by amplification and sequencing of a partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA fragment. Additionally, PCR assays targeting members of the genera Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, and Rickettsia were performed. RESULTS: A total of 68 adult ticks was recovered, including Amblyomma ovale (4 males, 6 females), Amblyomma mixtum (1 male), and Amblyomma auricularium (15 males, 42 females). Molecular analyses supported the identification of A. mixtum and A. ovale, whereas sequences obtained from specimens morphologically assigned to A. auricularium clustered within Amblyomma parvum. Two A. ovale specimens tested positive for Francisella-like endosymbionts showing 99% identity with sequences previously reported from South America. No DNA of Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia, or Rickettsia was detected. CONCLUSION: The present study expands the currently available information on ticks recovered from G. vittata in Mexico. Although based on opportunistic sampling, these findings provide baseline information for future studies on tick-host associations in wild carnivores from the Neotropical region.