Haemaphysalis Species Research Articles

Redescription of adults and first description of the larva of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) adleri Feldman-Muhsam, 1951 (Acari: Ixodidae), parasite of carnivorans in Western Asia.

The adults of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) adleri Feldman-Muhsam, 1951 (Acari: Ixodidae) are redescribed and the larva of this species is described for the first time here. The adults of H. adleri that we studied were collected from various canid, felid and hyaenid carnivorans (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Hyaenidae) as well as a hedgehog (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae) in Iraq, Israel and West Bank. The males, females and larvae of H. adleri can be differentiated from Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) species occurring in the Palearctic portion of West Asia and Egypt as well those in the H. asiatica subgroup by the length of idiosomal setae, development and size of spurs on palpi, dental formula on the hypostome and size of spur on coxae. A lectotype of H. adleri has been designated and the geographic distribution and hosts of this tick species are discussed.

Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes

Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.

Insights from entire mitochondrial genome sequences into the phylogeny of ticks of the genera Haemaphysalis and Archaeocroton with the elevation of the subgenus Alloceraea Schulze, 1919 back to the status of a genus.

We used entire mitochondrial (mt) genome sequences (14.5-15 kbp) to resolve the phylogeny of the four main lineages of the Haematobothrion ticks: Alloceraea, Archaeocroton, Bothriocroton and Haemaphysalis. In our phylogenetic trees, Alloceraea was the sister to Archaeocroton sphenodonti, a tick of an archetypal reptile, the tuatara, from New Zealand, to the exclusion of the rest of the species of Haemaphysalis. The mt genomes of all four of theAlloceraea species that have been sequenced so far had a substantial insert, 132-312 bp, between the tRNA-Glu (E) gene and the nad1 gene in their mt genomes. This insert was not found in any of the other eight subgenera of Haemaphysalis. The mt genomes of 13 species of Haemaphysalis from NCBI GenBank were added to the most recent data set on Haemaphysalis and its close relatives to help resolve the phylogeny of Haemaphysalis, including five new subgenera of Haemaphysalis not previously considered by other authors: Allophysalis (structurally primitive), Aboimisalis (structurally primitive), Herpetobia (structurally intermediate), Ornithophysalis (structurally advanced) and Segalia (structurally advanced). We elevated Alloceraea Schulze, 1919 to the status of genus because Alloceraea Schulze, 1919 is phylogenetically distinct from the other subgenera of Haemaphysalis. Moreover, we propose that the subgenus Allophysalis is the sister to the rest of the Haemaphysalis (14 subgenera) and that the 'structurally primitive' subgenera Hoogstraal and Kim comprise early diverging lineages. Our matrices of the pairwise genetic difference (percent) of mt genomes and partial 16S rRNA sequences indicated that the mt genome sequence of Al. kitaokai (gb# OM368280) may not be Al. kitaokai Hoogstraal, 1969 but rather another species of Alloceraea. In a similar way, the mt genome sequence of H. (Herpetobia) nepalensis Hoogstraal, 1962 (gb# NC_064124) was only 2% genetically different to that of H. (Allophysalis) tibetensis Hoogstraal, 1965 (gb# OM368293): this indicates to us that they are the same species. Alloceraea cretacea may be better placed in a genus other than Alloceraea Schulze, 1919. Reptiles may have been the host to the most recent common ancestor of Archaeocroton and Alloceraea.

A Mini Review on Diversity and Distribution of Ixodidae Tick among Cattle and Wild Fauna of West Bengal Region, India

Indian subtropical climates provide a suitable niche for the diversity of Ixodidae ticks on various host. Very limited taxonomic information exists in literature about the diversity and distribution of tick both within and outside of West Bengal. In the current review, species and hosts diversity and geographical distribution of ticks present in the state have been reviewed based on taxonomic data in the literature from 1926-2022. More than 109 tick species were recorded in India, among which 88 genera belongs to the Ixodidae group. West Bengal's hot and humid environment makes it a hotspot for tick diversity, accounting for 30% of the overall Indian tick fauna. According to this study, 9 genera and 32 species were detected in West Bengal, with Rhipicephalus sp. being the most infectious in cattle, followed by Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis species. While, Haemaphysalis with 13 species is the most diverse genus reported in West Bengal, the most prevalent species detected in all seventeen districts were H. bispinosa and Boophilus microplus. To understand the variety and distribution pattern of tick species, the study reveals their presence and infestation in different classes and orders of their conspecific host.

The expanding range of emerging tick-borne viruses in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region

We analysed both pooled and individual tick samples collected from four countries in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region, using metagenome-based nanopore sequencing (NS) and targeted amplification. Initially, 1337 ticks, belonging to 11 species, were screened in 217 pools. Viruses (21 taxa) and human pathogens were detected in 46.5% and 7.3%, respectively. Tick-borne viral pathogens comprised Tacheng Tick Virus 2 (TTV2, 5.9%), Jingmen Tick Virus (JMTV, 0.9%) and Tacheng Tick Virus 1 (TTV1, 0.4%). An association of tick species with individual virus taxa was observed, with the exception of TTV2, which was observed in both Dermacentor and Haemaphysalis species. Individual ticks from pools with pathogen detection were then further screened by targeted amplification and then NS, which provided extensive genome data and revealed probable pathogen Haseki Tick Virus (HTV, 10.2%). Two distinct TTV2 clades were observed in phylogenetic analysis, one of which included closely related Dermacentor reticulatus Uukuviruses. JMTV detection indicated integrated virus sequences. Overall, we observed an expansion of newly documented pathogenic tick-borne viruses into Europe, with TTV1 being identified on the continent for the first time. These viruses should be included in the diagnostic assessment of symptomatic cases associated with tick bites and vector surveillance efforts. NS is shown as a useful tool for monitoring tick-associated pathogens in pooled or individual samples.

Epidemiology and Transmission of Theileria orientalis in Australasia.

Oriental theileriosis, a disease primarily impacting cattle is caused by an apicomplexan hemoprotozoan parasite, Theileria orientalis. It has now become established in the Australasia region. The organism was long considered a benign cause of persistent infections; however, an increase in clinical outbreaks since 2006 in the eastern Australian states and New Zealand was associated with the identification of the pathogenic Ikeda (Type 2) and Chitose (Type 1) genotypes. Unlike the pathogenic T. parva and T. annulate, which target leucocytes, clinical manifestation with T. orientalis is due to its effects on erythrocytes, with the infection sometimes designated as Theileria associated bovine anemia (TABA). In Australia and New Zealand, the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is the principal vector, though other Haemaphysalis species are also likely vectors. The endemic status of infection with pathogenic genotypes in areas with low or absent tick populations is an apparent paradox that may be attributable to alternative modes of transmission, such as mechanical transmission by hematophagous insects (lice, mosquitoes, and biting flies), vertical transmission, and transmission via iatrogenic means. This review addresses the evidence for the different modes of transmission of T. orientalis with particular focus on the reported and potential vectors in Australasia.

First report on diversity and relative abundance of questing and feeding hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) of the tribal communities and wildlife in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary of Western Ghats, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT The present study is the first report on ticks infesting domestic animals of the tribal communities and wildlife in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Questing ticks in the sanctuary were collected through dragging methods and hand collection from domestic animals was used to collect feeding ticks. Among the total 3,081 ticks collected, 2,350 questing ticks were obtained from the forest floor, and 731 ticks were recorded from 40 different domestic animals belonging to four species. The present collection recorded eight Haemaphysalis species: Ha. spinigera, Ha. leachii, Ha. shimoga, Ha. kinneari, Ha. kyasanurensis, Ha. turturis, Ha. bispinosa, Ha. intermedia and one Amblyomma species: Am. integrum from the sanctuary. Whereas five Haemaphysalis species: Ha. bispinosa, Ha. intermedia, Ha. shimoga, Ha. spinigera, Ha. turturis and four Rhipicephalus species: Rh. sanguineus, Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus and Rh. annulatus were reported from domestic animals. High abundance of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) vectors, Ha. spinigera and Ha. turturis have been documented from the sanctuary. Relative abundance of Ha. bispinosa was significantly higher in all the domestic animals examined. Tick infestation rate was higher in goats followed by cows, dogs, and cats. Whereas the species richness of ticks was highest in cows and lowest in cats.

Ticks registered in the Biosphere Reserve of Northwest Peru

Ticks primarily affect livestock and have the potential to transmit disease. The objective of the research was to record the georeferencing, distribution and identification of the species present in three Protected Natural Areas (ANP) that are part of the Biosphere Reserve of Northwest Peru (RBNO). The collection was carried out in five representative places of each ANP, due to the difficulty of finding fauna within the ANP, a convenience sampling was used for animals, and a random sampling was used for plants, using transects through the places where domestic animals’ transit. and wild and ranchers. The collected specimens were labeled to have distribution and identification in each of the sampled places. Dale's keys were used for genus level identification and Álvarez's keys were used for preliminary identification of species. Four specimens were collected in the Cerros de Amotape National Park, 55 in the Angolo Hunting Reserve and 271 in the Tumbes National Reserve. Seven species were recorded: Amblyoma cajennense, A. dissimile, A. maculatum and A. testudinis; Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and R. sanguineus and an unidentified species of the genus Haemaphysalis.

Epidemiology and Risk Mapping of hard ticks (Ixodidae) infecting Small Ruminants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause a negative impact on animal health and production globally. Because of the transhumant production system of sheep and goats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, registration and tracking system of animals is not possible, which is a prerequisite for the development of early warning systems for any outbreak of TBDs. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the district-wise surveillance and risk mapping to find the epidemiological profile of tick infestation in small ruminants from KP, Pakistan. Ticks (n=6257) were collected from the six selected districts from May 2017- April 2018. A total of 1500 animals (goats=618 and sheep=881) were screened for the presence of ticks on different host predilection sites. A questionnaire depicting epidemiological information was filled, and a geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the risk areas. The study identified six tick species namely, Rhiphicephalus (R.) microplus, Hyalomma (H.) trancatum, H. anatolicum, H. aegyptium, H. asiaticum, and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. The tick prevalence in study districts was 16% in Peshawar, 15.67% Mardan, 12.8% Bannu, 18% Mansehra, 15.67% Mingora, and 21.87% in Dera Ismail Khan. R. microplus was only prevalent in Peshawar (36.18 %) and in Dera Ismail Khan (63.81 %) districts, while Haemaphysalis bispinosa and H. aegyptium were only recorded in Mardan. The intensity of Hyalomma spp. was recorded at 62.92 % followed by Rhipicephalus spp., 36.55%, and Haemaphysalis spp., 1.15%. Hyalomma spp. showed the highest prevalence on all host predilection sites viz: ears (62.2 %), groin areas (60.8%), under the tail (61.9 %), testicular areas (63.2 %), breast (64.5 %), and in hooves (64.7%) as compared to Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis species. Similarly, in sheep and goats, the adult ticks were more prevalent in age group 1-2 years (83.28% and 68.98%) followed by < 1 year of age group (82% and 68.89%), respectively. The results revealed high female (61.9%) tick infestation as compared to male ticks (38.1%), whereas the highest female to male tick ratio was 1.77:1 in Haemaphysalis species. The GIS map demonstrated that the degree of tick infestation varied within districts and villages. In conclusion, results recorded that economically vital ticks are extensively distributed all over the KP province and cost-effective control studies are needed to minimize the spread of tick-borne diseases.

Tick Populations and Molecular Analysis of Anaplasma Species in Ticks from the Republic of Korea.

The present study was performed to survey the dominant tick populations and molecularly determine the pathogenic agents of anaplasmosis in ticks from Gyeongsang, Republic of Korea. A total of 3825 questing ticks were collected by the flagging method from 12 sites near animal farms in Gyeongsang from March to October 2021. A molecular genomic study was performed with ticks stored in 70% ethanol to detect Anaplasma genes by the previously described method. The monthly incidence of ticks varied by developmental stages, i.e., nymphs, adults, and larvae, and each of their populations peaked in May, March, and October, respectively. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis sp., Haemaphysalis flava, Ixodes nipponensis, and Amblyomma testudinarium in order. To determine the Anaplasma infection rate, collected ticks were pooled into 395 groups. The minimum infection rate (MIR) of Anaplasma was 0.7% (27 pools). That of A. phagocytophilum was highest (23 pools, MIR 0.6%), followed by A. phagocytophilum-like Anaplasma spp. clade B (2 pools, MIR 0.1%), A. bovis (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), and A. capra (1 pool, MIR 0.1%), respectively. In this study, five species of ticks, including unidentified Haemaphysalis species, were collected in 12 survey sites in Gyeongsang, but their prevalence was somewhat different according to the tick species and survey sites. Further, the incidence rate (6.8%) of 4 Anaplasma spp. was not as high in tick pools. However, the results of this study may offer a basis for future epidemiological research and risk assessment of tick-borne diseases.

Phylogenetic Position of Haemaphysalis kashmirensis and Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, with Notes on Rickettsia spp.

Despite high diversity in the Oriental region, ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis have been neglected regarding their genetic data and vector potential. This study aimed to genetically characterize three species of the genus Haemaphysalis: Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis kashmirensis, and Haemaphysalis montgomeryi infesting goats and sheep, and Rickettsia spp. associated with these tick species in the Hindu Kush Himalayan range of Pakistan. Altogether, 834 ticks were collected by examining 120 hosts including goats (64/120, 53.3%) and sheep (56/120, 46.6%), in which 86 (71.6%) hosts were found to be tick-infested. The morphologically identified ticks were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for the amplification of partial 16S rDNA and cox fragments. Rickettsia spp. associated with the collected ticks were detected through the amplification of gltA, ompA and ompB partial fragments. The 16S rDNA of H. cornupunctata and H. montgomeryi showed a maximum identity of 100% with the sequences of the same species, whereas the 16S rDNA of H. kashmirensis showed the highest identity of 93-95% with Haemaphysalis sulcata. The cox sequence of H. montgomeryi displayed 100% identity with the same species. In comparison, the cox sequences of H. cornupunctata and H. kashmirensis showed maximum identities of 87.65-89.22% with Haemaphysalis punctata and 89.34% with H. sulcata, respectively. The gltA sequence of Rickettsia sp. from H. kashmirensis showed the highest identity of 97.89% with Rickettsia conorii subsp. raoultii, while the ompA and ompB fragments from the same DNA samples revealed 100% and 98.16% identity with Rickettsia sp. and "Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii", respectively. Another gltA sequence amplified from H. montgomeryi ticks showed 100% identity with Rickettsia hoogstraalii, while the attempts to amplify ompA and ompB for R. hoogstraalii were unsuccessful. In the phylogenetic tree, the 16S rDNA of H. cornupunctata clustered with the corresponding species while its cox clustered with H. punctata. Both 16S rDNA and cox sequences of H. kashmirensis clustered with H. sulcata. The gltA sequence of Rickettsia sp. was clustered individually in the spotted fever (SF) group of Rickettsia, while the gltA sequence of R. hoogstraalii was clustered with the same species in the transition group of Rickettsia. In the SF group, the rickettsial ompA and ompB sequence clustered with undetermined Rickettsia sp. and "Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii", respectively. This is the earliest study regarding the genetic characterization of H. kashmirensis. This study indicated that ticks belong to the genus Haemaphysalis have the potential of harboring and/or transmitting Rickettsia spp. in the region.

Genetic characterization of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) indica and Haemaphysalis (Segalia) montgomeryi ticks (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae)

Haemaphysalis species are medically important hard ticks (Ixodidae) that parasitize nearly all domestic as well as wild hosts, mostly in the Oriental region. Genetic diversity of Haemaphysalis ticks in South Asia has gained little attention, despite its economic, medical, and veterinary importance. The purpose of this study was to genetically characterize Haemaphysalis indica and Haemaphysalis montgomeryi ticks to obtain their preliminary phylogenetic relationship. A total of 1171 ticks were collected from Indian mongooses (Herpestes javanicus and Herpestes edwardsii), sheep and goats in Pakistan. The collected ticks were morphologically identified as H. indica (n = 121, 10.3%) from mongooses and H. montgomeryi (n = 1050, 89.7%) from sheep and goats. Phylogenetic trees inferred from 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, cox1, and ITS2 sequences revealed an evolutionary relationship of H. indica with the tick species belonging to the subgenus Rhipistoma, and H. montgomeryi with the tick species belonging to the subgenus Segalia, validating the described taxonomy based on the morphological descriptions of these ticks. Further genetic studies are essential to overcome morphology-based systematic issues associated with Haemaphysalinae ticks.

Description of Male, Redescription of Female, Host Record, and Phylogenetic Position of Haemaphysalis danieli.

Haemaphysalis ticks are globally distributed with the greatest diversity in the Oriental region. This study aimed to primarily provide information on the morphology, host record, and preliminary phylogenetic position of a poorly known tick Haemaphysalis danieli. Herds comprised of goats and sheep were examined for this tick species in Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 127 ticks, including males (n = 15, 11.8%) and females (n = 112, 88.2%), were collected, and morphologically identified as H. danieli. The morphological identification was confirmed through the 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase (cox1) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis inferred based on 16S rDNA and cox1 showed a close evolutionary relationship of H. danieli with a conspecific from China and an undetermined Haemaphysalis sp. from China and Anatolia. A total of 32/223 (14.3%) goats in two different herds were the only host infested by H. danieli. The earliest study provided the morphological description of H. danieli male, host record, and phylogenetic position. The information provided herein could assist in minimizing the knowledge gap regarding the systematic and taxonomy of Haemaphysalis species.

Complete mitogenomes and phylogenetic relationships of Haemaphysalis nepalensis and Haemaphysalis yeni.

The mitochondrial genome may include crucial data for understanding phylogenetic and molecular evolution. We sequenced the complete mitogenome of Haemaphysalis nepalensis and Haemaphysalis yeni for the first time. H. nepalensis and H. yeni's complete mitogenomes were 14,720 and 14,895 bp in size, respectively, and both contained two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 13 protein-coding genes (PCG). Haemaphysalis nepalensis have one control region (D-loop). The adenine + thymine concentration of the genomes of H. nepalensis and H. yeni was 77.75 and 78.41%, respectively. The codon use pattern and amino acid content of proteins were both observed to be affected by the AT bias. Genes in the mitogenome were organized and located in a comparable manner to previously known genes from Haemaphysalis ticks. Mitochondrial PCGs were used to perform phylogenetic relationships based on the Minimum Evolution (ME) approach using MEGA 7.0 software, the results reveal that H. nepalensis has tight links with H. tibetensis, H. yeni and H. kolonini share a sister group relationship, and that H. nepalensis and H. yeni belong to Haemaphysalis. The results of this study include the following: (i) discovered and supplied new tick records (H. nepalensis) for China, (ii) provided the first complete mitochondrial genome for H. nepalensis and H. yeni and revealed their phylogenetic relationships, and (iii) the features of the mitochondrial genome of H. nepalensis and H. yeni provided more genetic reference for Phylogeography, systematics, and population genetics of the Haemaphysalis species.

Seventy-eight entire mitochondrial genomes and nuclear rRNA genes provide insight into the phylogeny of the hard ticks, particularly the Haemaphysalis species, Africaniella transversale and Robertsicus elaphensis

Hoogstraal and Kim (1985) proposed from morphology, three groups of Haemaphysalis subgenera: (i) the “structurally advanced”; (ii) the “structurally intermediate”; and (iii) the “structurally primitive” subgenera. Nuclear gene phylogenies, however, did not indicate monophyly of these morphological groups but alas, only two mitochondrial (mt) genomes from the “structurally intermediate” subgenera had been sequenced. The phylogeny of Haemaphysalis has not yet been resolved. We aimed to resolve the phylogeny of the genus Haemaphysalis, with respect to the subgenus Alloceraea. We presented 15 newly sequenced and annotated mt genomes from 15 species of ticks, five species of which have not been sequenced before, and four new 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA nuclear gene sequences. Our datasets were constructed from 10 mt protein-coding genes, cox1, and the 18S and 28S nuclear rRNA genes. We found a 132-bp insertion between tRNA-Glu (E) gene and the nad1 gene in the mt genome of Haemaphysalis (Alloceraea) inermis that resembles insertions in H. (Alloceraea) kitaokai and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) geigyi. Our mt phylogenies had the three species of Amblyomma (Aponomma) we sequenced embedded in the main clade of Amblyomma: Am. (Aponomma) fimbriatum, Am. (Aponomma) gervaisi and Am. (Aponomma) latum. This is further support for the hypothesis that the evolution of eyes appears to have occurred in the most-recent-common-ancestor of Amblyocephalus (i.e. Amblyomminae plus Rhipicephalinae) and that eyes were subsequently lost in the most-recent-common-ancestor of the subgenus Am. (Aponomma). Either Africaniella transversale or Robertsicus elaphensis, or perhaps Af. transversale plus Ro. elaphensis, appear to be the sister-group to the rest of the metastriate Ixodida. Our cox1 phylogenies did not indicate monophyly of the “structurally primitive”, “structurally intermediate” nor the “structurally advanced” groups of Haemaphysalis subgenera. Indeed, the subgenus Alloceraea may be the only monophyletic subgenus of the genus Haemaphysalis sequenced thus far. All of our mt genome and cox1 phylogenies had the subgenus Alloceraea in a clade that was separate from the rest of the Haemaphysalis ticks. If Alloceraea is indeed the sister to the rest of the Haemaphysalis subgenera this would resonate with the argument of Hoogstraal and Kim (1985), that Alloceraea was a subgenus of “primitive” Haemaphysalis. Alectorobius capensis from Japan had a higher genetic-identity to A. sawaii, which was also from Japan, than to the A. capensis from South Africa. This indicates that A. capensis from Japan may be a cryptic species with respect to the A. capensis from South Africa.

Importance of Host Abundance and Microhabitat in Tick Abundance.

To reduce the risk of zoonoses, it is necessary to understand the infection process, including the ecology of animals and vectors (i.e., the 'One Health' approach). In temperate climates, ticks are the major vectors of zoonoses, so factors determining their abundance, such as host mammal abundance and microhabitat conditions, should be clarified. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) are a major tick host and are rapidly expanding their distribution in Japan. We established 12 plots along a gradient of sika deer abundance in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. We monitored the occurrence of mammal species with camera traps and sampled questing ticks on a monthly basis by flagging along three transects (center of a trail, forest edge, and forest interior) at each site from April to November 2018. The camera traps recorded 12 mammal species, predominantly sika deer. Five Haemaphysalis species and three Ixodes species were sampled. The numbers of ticks sampled were explained by the photographic frequency of sika deer, and partly by that of other mammal species, depending on tick species and their developmental stages. The numbers of sampled adult and nymphal ticks were the highest at the forest edge, where vegetation cover was greatest. Thus, vegetation management in tick habitats and the control of sika deer populations may reduce tick abundance.

The detection of three new Haemaphysalis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Singapore and their potential threat for public health, companion animals, and wildlife

Efforts to safeguard human and animal health against ticks and tick-borne diseases are principally reliant on careful surveillance. Within Singapore, the importance of ticks and tick-borne diseases is increasingly recognized. However, developing foundational knowledge of the local diversity of ticks and tick-borne microbes, as well as their ecology, is ongoing. Nation-wide surveillance efforts revealed the presence of three previously unreported species of Haemaphysalis from Singapore, namely: H. bispinosa, H. hystricis, and H. wellingtoni. All three species are known to feed on humans and appear to have established populations within Singapore. We record the first infestation of humans by H. hystricis and H. wellingtoni within Singapore and present all known local host records from these three newly detected tick species. The threat posed by these species to local public health, companion animals, and wildlife is discussed.

Synopsis of the ticks of Algeria with new hosts and localities records

BackgroundTicks are obligate hematophagous arthropods with a world-wide distribution that are extremely important not only in terms of human and animal health but also economically. In Algeria, information on tick species is scarce.MethodsA systematic literature review was performed using online databases. The information extracted from the databases was was supplemented by information from an original study. Ticks were collected from various hosts and by flagging from January 2018 to December 2019.ResultsTo date, in Algeria a total of 36 valid tick species belonging to two families have been recorded: (1) family Argasidae, with three Argas species and nine Ornithodoros species recorded; and (ii) family Ixodidae, with one Dermacentor species, three Haemaphysalis species, 10 Hyalomma species, four Ixodes species and six Rhipicephalus species recorded. The geographical distribution for each species was determined and listed. Eight new tick-host associations were recorded: four for Ixodes inopinatus sensu Estrada-Peña et al. 2014, one for Rhipicephalus bursa, one for R. turanicus, one for Hyalomma marginatum and one for Hy. lusitanicum. To our best knowledge, this study is the first to report the presence of I. inopinatus sensu Estrada-Peña et al. 2014 in Algeria. We also report here for the first time all tick species (Argasidae and Ixodidae) known to be present in Algeria.ConclusionThis article represents a tool for students and scientists who work in the field of ticks and provides important new data on the distribution of ticks in Algeria.Graphical

Haemaphysalis hoodi (Acari: Ixodidae) on a human from Yaoundé, Cameroon, and its molecular characterization

The genus Haemaphysalis Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) is the second-largest genus, with more than 170 described species that primarily parasitize mammals and birds (Guglielmone et al. 2014, Guglielmone et al. 2020). Haemaphysalis species are three-host ticks, mainly distributed in southern and southeastern Asia and tropical Africa (Guglielmone et al. 2014). The present study identified a tick, Haemaphysalis hoodi Warburton & Nuttall, 1909, collected from a human in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This tick species feed on birds in sub-Saharan Africa. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second record of H. hoodi from humans. In addition, 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome oxidase I sequences were generated for this species for the first time. Screening pan-Rickettsia-PCR infection gave a negative result.

Species distribution and ecological suitability analysis for potential tick vectors of Kyasanur forest disease in the Western Ghats of Kerala

Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne zoonotic viral disease with an estimated case fatality rate of 3% to 5% in humans. The KFD virus is transmitted to both humans and animals by infected ticks, primarily the Haemaphysalis species. Our study was undertaken following reports of five confirmed cases and three deaths due to KFD in Malappuram district of Kerala in 2014 to determine the diversity of Ixodidae ticks on vegetation and their possible infection with the KFD virus. Overall, 3502 hard ticks belonging to three genera and eight species were collected from two forest divisions. Haemaphysalis was the predominant tick species (92.72%). Tick positivity for the KFD virus was 4 (5.33%) of 75 pools of ticks tested. Kyasanur forest disease viral RNA was detected from the genera Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma. The KFD virus was detected in 2 of 35 pools (5.71%) of Haemaphysalis spinigera, 1 of 30 pools (3.33%) of Haemaphysalis turturis, and 1 of 3 pools (3.33%) of Amblyomma integrum from the south forest division. The ticks reached their peak density between December and February and then decreased from the end of May. The temperature in the area ranges from 28°C to 30°C, which is suitable for tick survival.