Description of Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi using scanning electron microscopy, with notes on the morphology of Pavlovskyella sensu stricto and Theriodoros subgenera

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102392
• Publication Date: 2024-08-30T23:14:36Z
• Authors: Sebastián Muñoz-Leal; Valentina Nova-Ca...; Adam Sobieski; Pedro Cachu; Vasyl Tkach; Michelle Michalski
• Keywords: Subgenus; Argasidae

Accumulation of DNA sequence data and its use in systematics the family Argasidae reveals new incongruencies between genera subgenera, since several groups defined by classical taxonomy appear to be paraphyletic, which is case subgenus Pavlovskyella. In order identify morphological characters unique one monophyletic groupings within Pavlovskyella improve system, we describe all active stages Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) tartakovskyi, a species with an incomplete original description. Larvae, nymphs, males females from Iran were examined scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larva O. (P.) tartakovskyi lacks dorsal plate, posteromedian seta, postcoxal setae spinose area palpal article I; surface has 13 pairs hypostome two short rows denticles apex only. first nymphal instar (N1) micromammillated body faint ventral disks. second (N2) shows mammillated incipient hood, disks outlined as subsequent instars. Both N1 N2 have small patch glabrous anterior margin preanal groove, absent posterior stages. Third (N3) hood lack cheeks, are fourth (N4). four instars (N1-N4) blunt hypostomes, striated capitula, non-mammillated legs, 3 humps on tarsi I. Females bodies, cheeks not covering capitulum, anteromedian disk placed anteriorly central disks, median file merged disk. We postembryonic providing that define sensu stricto Theriodoros, sister includes similarly shaped species.