Spatial distribution and abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Atlantic forest remaining, northeastern Brazil

The spatial distribution and abundance of free-living ticks were examined in Atlantic Forest fragments in northeastern Brazil. The study was conducted on Integral Protection Conservation Units of Mata do Tapacura and Mata do Camucim, located in the municipality of Sao Lourenco da Mata, Pernambuco. Ticks were captured by flagging method in six plots of 200m(2), three plots set in a forest edge adjacent to an agropastoral matrix and three plots set in the forest edge adjacent to a dam lake. Were captured 2652 ticks of the genus Amblyomma, two nymphs identified as Amblyomma dissimile with spatially aggregated distribution, shown by the variance/mean ratio and Lloyd aggregate index. There was significant variation in the abundance of ticks between plots (H=26.79, p<0.005) and more ticks was found in the woods adjacent to the edge agropastoral matrix. There was a positive correlation between canopy cover and tick density (rs=0.31, p<0.05). In the present study, it was observed that in free-living stages, especially larvae and nymphs, the spatial distribution and abundance of ticks are strongly influenced by more enclosed areas of forests. Most ticks near agropastoral matrix could facilitate the migration of ticks between wild environments and man-made or modified environments.