Genetic diversity, piroplasms and trypanosomes in Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum collected from cattle in northern Pakistan

• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00418-9
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02T16:04:58Z
• Authors: Jehan Zeb; Sándor Szekeres; Nóra Takács; Jenő Kontschán; Sumaira Shams; Sultan Ayaz; Sándor Hornok
• Keywords: Rhipicephalus microplus; Hyalomma; Animal ecology; Entomology; Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Abstract The two most important tick species in Pakistan are Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum . When associated with cattle, these have one or three host life cycles, respectively, potential implications for their population genetics vector role the transmission of pathogens. To compare this context molecular-phylogenetic methods, during present study 123 ticks were collected from cattle northern Pakistan. Two mitochondrial markers 36 molecularly analyzed. All 11 R. specimens had identical cox1 haplotypes, whereas 25 H. nine haplotypes. latter belonged to distinct phylogenetic lineages high support. However, 16S rRNA gene differences less evident. Among 113 analyzed tick-borne protozoa, sequence Babesia occultans was successfully amplified Theileria annulata both (10.4%) (27.3%), significantly higher prevalence rate species. Only tick, a female, positive PCR detecting Trypanosoma spp. Sequencing revealed presence new genotype, closest relationship stercorarian trypanosomes (in particular, tick-associated sp. Japan). In conclusion, above between may be partly related cycles involving hosts, respectively. others, switching (reducing chances inbreeding) shorter periods spent on-host flow herds) supposed drivers diversification case as These results highlight importance studying intraspecific genetic diversity piroplasm burdens local scale. addition, identified is reported here first time South Asia, deserving further evaluation concerning its