Potential geographic distribution and host utilization of Alectorobius puertoricensis (Ixodida: Argasidae) in the Caribbean Basin: a putative vector of African swine fever virus.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College Station, TX, USA.
- 2Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- 3USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), Aquaculture, Swine, Equine and Poultry Health Center (ASEP), Raleigh, NC, USA.
- 4USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH), Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Abstract
Alectorobius puertoricensis (Fox 1947) (Ixodida: Argasidae) is a nidicolous soft tick distributed throughout the Caribbean Basin and has been experimentally shown to transmit African swine fever virus (ASFV). Given the reemergence of African swine fever (ASF) in the Caribbean in 2021, defining the potential distribution, host utilization, and environmental conditions of this tick species is essential for assessing its regional ASFV risk in the western hemisphere. This study compiled historical occurrence records and hosts associated with A. puertoricensis from published literature and diagnostic reports. These data were used to develop a species distribution model using Maxent to estimate the potential geographic distribution of A. puertoricensis across the Caribbean Basin. Environmental predictors were selected based on biological relevance and collinearity assessment within a defined area. Model performance indicated good discriminatory ability, with the potential geographic distribution concentrated in lowland tropical and subtropical regions characterized by warm temperatures and variable precipitation. Host records demonstrated a broad variety of vertebrate hosts, with rodents representing the most frequently documented hosts, consistent with a potential role in maintaining local tick populations. Several occurrence records placed A. puertoricensis in peridomestic and livestock-associated environments relevant to swine exposure. When interpreted in the context of regional animal movement and connectivity, areas where environmental suitability for A. puertoricensis overlaps with ports, coastal communities, and population centers may represent elevated concern for ASF exposure should the virus be introduced. These findings provide a framework for incorporating soft tick ecology into ASF preparedness and surveillance efforts in the Caribbean.
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BibTeX
@article{donaldson2026potential,
title = {{Potential geographic distribution and host utilization of Alectorobius puertoricensis (Ixodida: Argasidae) in the Caribbean Basin: a putative vector of African swine fever virus.}},
author = {Taylor G Donaldson and Hsiao-Hsuan Wang and Charluz M Arocho Rosario and Pete D Teel and William E Grant and Gabriel L Hamer and Kathleen C O'Hara and Angela M James and Phillip E Kaufman},
journal = {Journal of medical entomology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1093/jme/tjag162},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893572},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Potential geographic distribution and host utilization of Alectorobius puertoricensis (Ixodida: Argasidae) in the Caribbean Basin: a putative vector of African swine fever virus.
AU - Taylor G Donaldson
AU - Hsiao-Hsuan Wang
AU - Charluz M Arocho Rosario
AU - Pete D Teel
AU - William E Grant
AU - Gabriel L Hamer
AU - Kathleen C O'Hara
AU - Angela M James
AU - Phillip E Kaufman
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Journal of medical entomology
DO - 10.1093/jme/tjag162
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42893572
AB - Alectorobius puertoricensis (Fox 1947) (Ixodida: Argasidae) is a nidicolous soft tick distributed throughout the Caribbean Basin and has been experimentally shown to transmit African swine fever virus (ASFV). Given the reemergence of African swine fever (ASF) in the Caribbean in 2021, defining the potential distribution, host utilization, and environmental conditions of this tick species is essential for assessing its regional ASFV risk in the western hemisphere. This study compiled historical occurrence records and hosts associated with A. puertoricensis from published literature and diagnostic reports. These data were used to develop a species distribution model using Maxent to estimate the potential geographic distribution of A. puertoricensis across the Caribbean Basin. Environmental predictors were selected based on biological relevance and collinearity assessment within a defined area. Model performance indicated good discriminatory ability, with the potential geographic distribution concentrated in lowland tropical and subtropical regions characterized by warm temperatures and variable precipitation. Host records demonstrated a broad variety of vertebrate hosts, with rodents representing the most frequently documented hosts, consistent with a potential role in maintaining local tick populations. Several occurrence records placed A. puertoricensis in peridomestic and livestock-associated environments relevant to swine exposure. When interpreted in the context of regional animal movement and connectivity, areas where environmental suitability for A. puertoricensis overlaps with ports, coastal communities, and population centers may represent elevated concern for ASF exposure should the virus be introduced. These findings provide a framework for incorporating soft tick ecology into ASF preparedness and surveillance efforts in the Caribbean.
SN - 0022-2585
SN - 1938-2928
ER -