| Tick Diversity from Wild Hosts in Iran: Species Identification and Molecular Phylogenetic Insights |
| Paper ID : 1066-IPCA5 |
| Authors |
|
Mahdi Salimi1, Faeze Faghihi2, Javad Khedri3, Behnoush Moodi4, Asadollah Hoseini-Chegeni *5 1Department of Environmental Protection, Kolah Ghazi National Park, Isfahan, Iran 2Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences 3Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran 4Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad 5Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran |
| Abstract |
| This study presents molecular and phylogenetic analyses of various tick species collected from diverse hosts across multiple regions in Iran. Seventeen cases are documented, encompassing both Ixodidae and Argasidae families, with identification based on mitochondrial (COI, 16S rRNA, Cytb) and nuclear (ITS2) gene sequences. Major findings are the characterization of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus from Caspian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral) using ITS2 and 16S rRNA genes, positioning it in a divergent phylogenetic clade. Alveonasus canestrinii and Hyalomma marginatum were discovered on Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), with taxonomic status settled through phylogenetic trees. Other important examples are Argas vespertilionis from common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and one unknown Rhipicephalus species from Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), closely related to R. rutilus but genetically different within R. sanguineus sensu stricto. Other records include Haemaphysalis sp. from wild goat (Capra aegagrus), with similarities to Haemaphysalis kopetdaghica, and Haemaphysalis erinacei from long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus). Dermacentor raskemensis was distinguished by COI, 16S rRNA, and ITS2 sequences from D. marginatus. Ixodes sp. from striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) fell within Pholeoixodes, with affinities to I. lividus and I. canisuga. In addition, Argas hermanni was isolated from rock dove (Columba livia) and little owl (Athene noctua) to represent a separate lineage within the Argas reflexus complex. Ornithodoros asperus from Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) was phylogenetically associated with O. tholozani. Hyalomma asiaticum from Persian jird (Meriones persicus) exhibited high genetic diversity within its clade. Finally, Haemaphysalis sp. from golden jackal (Canis aureus) was most closely related to H. erinacei and H. caucasica, requiring more genetic analysis for accurate classification. This work emphasizes the diversity of ticks in Iran, explains evolutionary associations, and highlights the necessity for additional molecular research to clarify species differentiation among these parasitic arthropods. |
| Keywords |
| Tick taxonomy; Ixodidae; Argasidae; Molecular identification; Phylogenetics; Genes |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
