Current and potential distribution of the neotropical hard tick <i>Amblyomma patinoi</i> (Ixodida: Ixodidae)

The Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) complex (Acari: Ixodidae) is represented by six species of hard ticks widely distributed from southern Texas in the United States to northern Argentina. Species within the complex feed on a variety of vertebrate hosts, primarily mammals, including humans. These ticks are the main vector of the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (Brumpt; Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and have been associated with the transmission of several arboviruses. In Colombia, one of the most ecologically diverse countries of the Neotropics, two species of the complex have been recorded with sympatric distribution in the northwestern part of the country: Amblyomma mixtum (Koch) and Amblyomma patinoi (Labruna, Nava & Beati). The latter is of medical importance as it has been confirmed as a competent vector of R. rickettsii in inter-Andean valleys of Colombia. Here, we assessed the current distribution of A. patinoi and predicted changes in its distribution over the century under different climate change scenarios. Additionally, we incorporated new records, delved deeper into the distribution of A. patinoi and interpreted model results using the climate classification and ecoregions for the Neotropical region. The results showed the presence of A. patinoi in 79 localities distributed across 34 municipalities and seven departments of the Caribbean and Andean regions of Colombia. In addition, new records were identified in two additional departments (Valle del Cauca and Caquetá) of the Andean and Amazon regions, as well as additional records in the department of Cundinamarca, especially in the inter-Andean Magdalena River basin. A. patinoi has been recorded in five ecoregions (Cauca Valley Dry Forests, Guajira-Barranquilla Moist Forests, Magdalena Valley Dry Forests and Magdalena-Urabá Moist Forests) and is associated with horses, cattle, dogs and humans. Its elevational range extends from 8 to 645 m a.s.l. in the Caribbean region and from 497 to 1712 m a.s.l. in the Andean region and inter-Andean valleys. The potential distribution models suggest that A. patinoi presents high climatic suitability in the Caribbean areas and inter-Andean valleys. Under climate change scenarios a possible expansion of the species distribution is observed in areas currently not recorded in the Neotropics, in countries such as Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. However, geographical conditions, such as elevation, could limit its distribution at higher elevations.