Observations on the Biology of the Argasid Tick, Ornithodoros brasiliensis Aragao, 1923, with the Recovery of a Spirochete, Borrelia brasiliensis, n. sp.

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Abstract
31 specimens of O. brasiliensis collected in Sao Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, by Prof. Paul di Primio were received from Prof. Henrique de B. Aragao, Instituto Oswaldo Curz, Rio de Janeiro. 46 ticks, the progeny of one female, were reared to the adult stage. This constitutes the first rearing of ticks of this species. The molting and feeding pattern constitutes a 4 type for ticks of the genus, in that unfed larvae molt to the 1st nymphal stage in about 10 days after hatching. There were from 4 to 7 nympnal stages before the adults emerged. Throughout the nymphal stages the ticks fed readily within 48 hrs. after molting. The females fed repeatedly although seemingly fully engorged. A spirochete which causes infection with relapses in adult white mice was recovered. The name Borrelia brasiliensis is proposed for this spirochete normally transmitted by O. brasiliensis.

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