An indoor terrarium population of Amblyomma geoemydae was established subsequent to the import of a single yellow-marginated box turtle Cuora flavomarginata. This indoor tick population revealed an unexpected resistance against de-ticking trials, with persistence between 2010 and 2015, when the ticks were successfully eliminated. Ticks were collected from the bodies and shells of turtles, as well as from terraria soil. Species diagnosis of ticks was carried out according to distinguishable morphological characters and supported by molecular analysis using DNA-barcoding. Introduced exotic ticks are potential vectors of pathogens and can have an impact on wildlife, domestic animals and the human population. This case emphasizes the need for sharp surveillance and control measures on imported reptiles.

CEITEC Central European Institute of Technology University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Brno Czech Republic

Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden Museum of Zoology Dresden Germany

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