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Moraga-Fernández A, Sánchez-Sánchez M, Muñoz-Hernández C, Pardavila X, Sereno-Cadierno J, Queirós J, Vicente J, Fernández de Mera IG. Beware with the backpack! New hosts and pathogens identified for Ixodes simplex ticks collected from bats in the Iberian Peninsula. Res Vet Sci 2024; 176:105316. [PMID: 38875889 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
To improve the knowledge on the role of bats in the maintenance and transmission of tick-borne pathogens, a molecular approach was used to characterize Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., piroplasmids, Hepatozoon spp., flaviviruses and nairoviruses in ticks collected from Iberian bats. A total of 732 bats from 25 species were captured at 38 sampling sites distributed in seven provinces of Spain between 2018 and 2022. Seventy-nine Ixodes simplex ticks were collected from 31 bats (Eptesicus isabellinus, Hypsugo savii, Myotis capaccini, Myotis emarginatus, Myotis myotis, Miniopterus schreibersii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Sixty of 79 I. simplex were positive for at least one pathogen tested and were collected from 23 bats captured in southeast Spain. We detected the presence of Rickettsia slovaca in 12 ticks collected from M. emarginatus, H. savii, M. schreibersii and E. isabellinus; Rickettsia aeschlimannii in 1 tick from M. schreibersii; Anaplasma ovis in 3 ticks from H. savii and M. schreibersii; C. burnetii in 2 ticks from H. savii; Occidentia massiliensis in 1 tick from H. savii; piroplasmids in 12 ticks from H. savii, M. schreibersii and E. isabellinus; and a novel nairovirus in 1 tick from M. schreibersii. Furthermore, blood samples obtained from 14 of the 31 tick-infested bats were negative in all PCR analyses. This study describes new host and pathogen associations for the bat-specialist I. simplex, highlights the risk of spread of these pathogens, and encourages further research to understand the role of Iberian bats in the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Moraga-Fernández
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez-Sánchez
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz-Hernández
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Xosé Pardavila
- Sorex, Ecoloxía e Medio Ambiente S.L., Santiago de Compostela. A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jorge Sereno-Cadierno
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - João Queirós
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; Estação Biológica de Mértola (EBM), CIBIO, Praça Luís de Camões, Mértola, 7750-329 Mértola, Portugal
| | - Joaquín Vicente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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Hornok S, Farkas R, Duong NN, Kontschán J, Takács N, Keve G, Pham DN, Dao TTH. A morpho-phylogenetic update on ixodid ticks infesting cattle and buffalos in Vietnam, with three new species to the fauna and a checklist of all species indigenous to the country. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:319. [PMID: 39061114 PMCID: PMC11282669 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Southeast Asia is regarded as a hotspot for the diversity of ixodid ticks. In this geographical region, Vietnam extends through both temperate and tropical climate zones and therefore has a broad range of tick habitats. However, molecular-phylogenetic studies on ixodid tick species have not been reported from this country. METHODS In this study, 1788 ixodid ticks were collected from cattle, buffalos and a dog at 10 locations in three provinces of northern Vietnam. Tick species were identified morphologically, and representative specimens were molecularly analyzed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 16S rRNA genes. Fifty-nine tick species that are indigenous in Vietnam were also reviewed in the context of their typical hosts in the region. RESULTS Most ticks removed from cattle and buffalos were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus, including all developmental stages. Larvae and nymphs were found between January and July but adults until December. Further species identified from cattle were Rhipicephalus linnaei, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Amblyomma integrum and Haemaphysalis cornigera. Interestingly, the latter three species were represented only by adults, collected in one province: Son La. The dog was infested with nymphs and adults of R. linnaei in July. Phylogenetically, R. microplus from Vietnam belonged to clade A of this species, and R. haemaphysaloides clustered separately from ticks identified under this name in China, Taiwan and Pakistan. Amblyomma integrum from Vietnam belonged to the phylogenetic group of haplotypes of an Amblyomma sp. reported from Myanmar. The separate clustering of H. cornigera from Haemaphysalis shimoga received moderate support. CONCLUSIONS Three tick species (R. linnaei, A. integrum and H. cornigera) are reported here for the first time in Vietnam, thus increasing the number of indigenous tick species to 62. Clade A of R. microplus and at least R. linnaei from the group of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato occur in the country. There is multiple phylogenetic evidence that different species might exist among the ticks that are reported under the name R. haemaphysaloides in South and East Asia. This is the first report of A. integrum in Southeastern Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
- Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) - University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UVMB) Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ngoc Nhu Duong
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Faculty of Mosonmagyaróvár, Széchenyi István University, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) - University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UVMB) Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergő Keve
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN) - University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UVMB) Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Duan Ngoc Pham
- Department of Parasitology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Thi Ha Dao
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Kazakov DV, Khasnatinov MA, Antonovskaia AA, Gorobeyko UV. Bat ectoparasites: chigger mites (Trombiculidae), ticks (Ixodidae and Argasidae), and bugs (Cimicidae) in the Eastern Palaearctic. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:83. [PMID: 38182821 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08093-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Nine species-level taxa of bat ectoparasites, three chigger mites (Trombiculidae), three hard (Ixodidae), and one soft tick (Argasidae) species, as well as two bug (Cimicidae) species from nine bat species hosts were detected in the Eastern Palaearctic. Trombiculid larvae of Leptotrombidium schlugerae, Leptotrombidium album, and Ascoschoengastia latyshevi were first recorded on bats in the temperate zone of eastern Russia. L. schlugerae was more abundant than A. latyshevi in the same study sites in Eastern Siberia, and the main hosts of both chigger species were Plecotus ognevi and Eptesicus nilssonii. Ixodid ticks Dermacentor marginatus, Ixodes simplex, and Ixodes sp. were sampled from bats in Kazakhstan, the Far East, and Eastern Siberia, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on Cox1, 16S rDNA, and ITS2 sequences of I. simplex showed that the specimens from the Far East grouped into a clade distributed in the Eastern Palaearctic and India. In turn, the specimen of Ixodes sp. from Eastern Siberia was most closely related to Ixodes soricis and Ixodes angustus with p-distance of 9.8-10.7% (Cox1), suggesting that this tick probably belongs to a new species. Argas vespertilionis larvae were collected from three widespread bat species in Kazakhstan. Two bug species, Cimex pipistrelli and Cimex aff. lectularius, were recorded in the Far East and Eastern Siberia, respectively. Specimens from Transbaikalia were morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. However, they differed from the latter by 12.5-12.9% of Cox1 sequences, indicating that C. aff. lectularius may be a new species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis V Kazakov
- Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), University of Tyumen, Volodarskogo, 6, 625003, Tyumen, Russia.
| | - Maxim A Khasnatinov
- Federal State Public Science Institution "Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems", Timiryazeva, 16, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Antonovskaia
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1-12, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Uliana V Gorobeyko
- Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 100-Letiya Vladivostoka, Vladivostok, 159, 690022, Russia
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Takano A, Yamauchi T, Takahashi M, Shimoda H, Gotoh Y, Mizuno J, Natsume M, Kontschán J, Kováts D, Tu VT, Hornok S. Description of three new bat-associated species of hard ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) from Japan. Zookeys 2023; 1180:1-26. [PMID: 37744948 PMCID: PMC10517414 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1180.108418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In Eurasia, the geographically most widespread ixodid tick species of the bat families Rhinolophidae Gray, Vespertilionidae Gray, and Miniopteridae Dobson were considered to belong to four species, Ixodesvespertilionis Koch, I.collaris Hornok, I.ariadnae Hornok, and I.simplex Neumann. Previous data attest that bat-associated tick species from Eastern Asia show remarkable genetic difference from the above four tick species, but in the absence of detailed morphological comparison these were regarded as conspecific. In this study we compensate for this lack of data on three bat-associated tick species, reporting their morphological comparison, as well as molecular and phylogenetic relationships. According to the results we describe the females of three tick species new to science, i.e., I.nipponrhinolophi Hornok & Takano, sp. nov., I.fuliginosus Hornok & Takano, sp. nov., and I.fujitai Hornok & Takano, sp. nov. In case of all three new tick species the cytochrome c oxidase subunit (coxI) gene showed remarkably high sequence differences from the species that they previously were thought to belong to, well exceeding the average limit delineating ixodid tick species. This, as well as observed morphological differences fully justify their taxonomical status as new species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Takano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, JapanYamaguchi UniversityYamaguchiJapan
| | - Takeo Yamauchi
- Laboratory of Entomology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, JapanObihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary MedicineObihiroJapan
| | - Mamoru Takahashi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, JapanSaitama Medical UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Shimoda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, JapanYamaguchi UniversityYamaguchiJapan
| | - Yasuhiro Gotoh
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, JapanKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Junko Mizuno
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, JapanYamaguchi UniversityYamaguchiJapan
| | - Michio Natsume
- Natural Environmental Research Group, Gunma Prefecture, Gunma, JapanNatural Environmental Research GroupGunmaJapan
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Department of Plant Sciences, Albert Kázmér Faculty of Mosonmagyaróvár, Széchenyi István University, Mosonmagyaróvár, HungarySzéchenyi István UniversityMosonmagyaróvárHungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Hungarian Biodiversity Research Society, Budapest, HungaryHungarian Biodiversity Research SocietyBudapestHungary
| | - Vuong Tan Tu
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, VietnamInstitute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and TechnologyHanoiVietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, VietnamGraduate University of Science and TechnologyHanoiVietnam
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, HungaryUniversity of Veterinary MedicineBudapestHungary
- HUN-REN–UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-sucking Parasites and Vector-borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, HungaryHUN-REN–UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-sucking Parasites and Vector-borne Pathogens Research GroupBudapestHungary
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Hekimoglu O, Elverici M, Yorulmaz T. A survey of hard ticks associated with cave dwelling mammals in Turkey. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102008. [PMID: 35932514 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Members of the subgenus Eschatocephalus Frauenfeld, 1853 are highly specialized cave-dwelling ectoparasites of bats. We conducted a comprehensive field-based survey on bat ticks in Turkey and provided information about the phylogenetic placement of collected species. Sampling was carried out at 26 caves from 18 provinces around Turkey between 2019 and 2021. Eighty-one tick specimens collected from the cave environment or on various cave roosting bats resulted in five species: Ixodes vespertilionis, Ixodes simplex, Ixodes ariadnae, Ixodes kaiseri, and Haemaphysalis erinacei. While I. simplex was the most frequently collected species with a rate of 56.2% mainly from bats (Miniopterus schreibersii), I. vespertilionis was the most prevalent species (65.4%) and found mainly on cave walls. The first record of I. ariadnae was provided for Turkey. Phylogenetic trees were built using mt 16S rDNA and COI markers. Our results demonstrated the presence of two distinct lineages of I. vespertilionis in Turkey; one lineage grouped with European isolates, whereas three sequences clustered separately. The phylogenetic pattern of I. simplex was consistent with previous results; this clade was clustered distantly to other bat tick species. The significance of the surprising records of H. erinacei and I. kaiseri in caves is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Hekimoglu
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Ecology, 06800, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Mert Elverici
- Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Biology, Erzincan, Turkey
| | - Tarkan Yorulmaz
- Çankırı Karatekin University, Yapraklı Vocational School, Department of Forestry, Hunting and Wildlife Program, Çankırı, Turkey
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Rodríguez O, de la Fuente G, Fernández de Mera IG, Vaz-Rodrigues R, Gortázar C, de la Fuente J. The Saharan antelope addax (Addax nasomaculatus) as a host for Hyalomma marginatum, tick vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102034. [PMID: 36041296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tick infestation and pathogen prevalence in ticks infesting the Saharan antelope addax (Addax nasomaculatus) are factors that may constitute a risk for both human and animal health. In this study we describe season distribution of adult Hyalomma marginatum and analyzed the tick-borne pathogens and their seroprevalence in natural-living addax in Morocco. The results showed that addax is an important host species for H. marginatum adults. The seroprevalence of Bluetongue virus (BTV; 61.5-92.3%, n = 8/13-84/91), Coxiella burnetii (36.3-69.2%, n = 33/91-9/13) and Brucella spp. (0.0-4.8%, n = 0/50-2/42) was characterized in addax during various years (sampled animals per year, n = 13-91). Presence of Aigai virus (AIGV), a recent taxonomic differentiation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) of 100% (4/4, years 2016 and 2017) together with Babesia ovis (75%, 3/4, year 2014), Anaplasma spp. (75%, 3/4, year 2014), Rickettsia spp. (50%, 2/4, year 2014) and Theileria spp. (25%, 1/4, year 2014) was observed in H. marginatum collected from the addax (4 pools of 10 adult ticks each). The results support the role of addax host in H. marginatum life cycle and exposure to AIGV and other tick-borne pathogens. The development of control interventions including anti-tick vaccines for wildlife species will contribute to the implementation of effective measures for the prevention and control of tick-borne diseases and might be relevant for the preservation of this threatened species and others such as Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and African elk (Taurotragus oryx) that share habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela de la Fuente
- Sabiotec, Edificio incubadora de empresas UCLM, Camino de Moledores s/n, Ciudad Real 13071, Spain
| | - Isabel G Fernández de Mera
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
| | - Rita Vaz-Rodrigues
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, Ciudad Real 13005, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States.
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Lu X, Zuo X, Jiang D, Yang X. The complete mitochondrial genome of Ixodes vespertilionis (Acari: Ixodidae). MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES 2021; 6:3001-3003. [PMID: 34568562 PMCID: PMC8462910 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1976686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Ixodes vespertilionis is a tick parasitizing on the bodies of bats. In our study, the complete mitogenome of I. vespertilionis was determined by using Illumina sequencing technology. The mitogenome was 14,559 bp in size and was predicted to encode 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. The gene order of the mitogenome is identical to Argasidae and non-Australasian Prostriata. The phylogenetic analysis by the Maximum-likelihood method reveals that I. vespertilionis is phylogenetically closest to Ixodes simplex. These data provide novel reference for further studies on the population genetics and phylogenetics of ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Lu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, PR China
| | - Xiuhua Zuo
- Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali Yunnan, PR China
| | - Dandan Jiang
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, PR China
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Léger C. Bat parasites (Acari, Anoplura, Cestoda, Diptera, Hemiptera, Nematoda, Siphonaptera, Trematoda) in France (1762-2018): a literature review and contribution to a checklist. Parasite 2020; 27:61. [PMID: 33206593 PMCID: PMC7673352 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper is a bibliographical survey of records of bat parasites in France (including Corsica) between 1762 and 2018. In total, 237 scientific publications were analysed. They show that bats are infected with a large diversity of endoparasites and ectoparasites. A total of 113 parasite taxa were identified from 27 host species; in addition, six bats were not identified to the species-level. The helminth fauna of bats comprises three species of Cestoda, 15 of Trematoda, and 13 of Nematoda. Acari parasites include 53 species (in addition to 22 invalid species). Finally, insect parasites comprise 13 species of Diptera (bat flies), 12 of Siphonaptera (fleas), 3 of Hemiptera (bugs), and 1 Anoplura species. Bat taxa reported with parasites were Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis bechsteinii, M. blythii, M. capaccinii, M. dasycneme, M. daubentonii, M. emarginatus, M. myotis, M. mystacinus, M. nattereri, M. punicus, Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. leisleri, N. noctula, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P. pipistrellus, Plecotus auritus, P. austriacus, Rhinolophus euryale, R. ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, R. mehelyi, Tadarida teniotis, Eptesicus sp., Myotis sp., Pipistrellus sp., Plecotus sp., Rhinolophus sp. and the species complex Pipistrellus pipistrellus/kuhlii/nathusii. As regards E. nilssonii, Vespertilio murinus (Particoloured Bat), M. alcathoe, M. escalerai, P. macrobullaris and P. pygmaeus, no records were found. These published field data originated from 72 of the 96 departments in metropolitan France. The most commonly cited were Ardèche, Ariège, Bouches-du-Rhône, Haute-Savoie, Maine-et-Loire, Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Pyrénées-Orientales, Sarthe, Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Léger
- Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Direction Générale Déléguée aux Collections (DGD-C) – Service Recherche, Enseignement, Expertise CP 20 38 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 75005 Paris France
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9
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Sándor AD, Corduneanu A, Péter Á, Mihalca AD, Barti L, Csősz I, Szőke K, Hornok S. Bats and ticks: host selection and seasonality of bat-specialist ticks in eastern Europe. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:605. [PMID: 31881931 PMCID: PMC6935181 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3861-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites may actively seek for hosts and may use a number of adaptive strategies to promote their reproductive success and host colonization. These strategies will necessarily influence their host specificity and seasonality. Ticks are important ectoparasites of vertebrates, which (in addition to directly affecting their hosts) may transmit a number of pathogens. In Europe, three hard tick species (Ixodidae: Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex and I. vespertilionis) and at least two soft tick species (Argasidae: Argas transgariepinus and A. vespertilionis) are specialized for bats. Methods Here we report data on the host range of these ticks and the seasonality of tick infestation on wild caught bats in south-east Europe. We collected 1803 ticks from 30 species of bats living in underground shelters (caves and mines) from Romania and Bulgaria. On the basis of tick–host associations, we tested several hypotheses on host–parasite evolutionary adaptations regulating host specificity, seasonality and sympatric speciation. Results We observed significant differences in host specificity and seasonality of abundance between the morphologically different bat specialist ticks (I. simplex and I. vespertilionis) likely caused by their host choice and their respective host-seeking behavior. The two highly generalist, but morphologically similar tick species (I. ariadnae and I. vespertilionis) showed temporal differences in occurrence and activity, thus exploiting significantly different host communities while occurring in geographical sympatry. Conclusions We conclude that bat-specialist ticks show a wide range of adaptations to their hosts, with differences in specificity, seasonality of occurrence, the prevalence and intensity of infestation and all these contribute to a successful division of temporal niches of ticks sharing morphologically similar hosts occurring in geographical sympatry. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Áron Péter
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Levente Barti
- Myotis Bat Conservation Group, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
| | - István Csősz
- Myotis Bat Conservation Group, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania
| | - Krisztina Szőke
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Hornok S, Murányi D, Kontschán J, Tu VT. Description of the male and the larva of Ixodes collaris Hornok, 2016 with drawings of all stages. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:144. [PMID: 30914054 PMCID: PMC6434778 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3365-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ixodes collaris Hornok, 2016 is a recently discovered tick species associated with bats in Asia. This study provides the description of the male and the larva, as well as high quality drawings of all stages. Methods Ticks were collected from cave walls and bats in Phia Oac (Vietnam). DNA was extracted from one individual of each stage/sex, while another was morphometrically analysed. Based on two genetic markers, all ticks were identified as I. collaris. Results The male of I. collaris has long legs (i.e. the length of Haller’s organ exceeds the maximum diameter of tarsus I), unlike the male of I. simplex Neumann, 1906, but similarly to males of I. vespertilionis Koch, 1844 and I. ariadnae Hornok, 2014. The lateral and medial edges of the palpi of male I. collaris are both convexly curved, unlike in I. ariadnae and I. simplex, but similarly to I. vespertilionis. The male of I. collaris has long palpal setae (up to 210 µm), unlike the males of I. ariadnae (30–100 µm) and I. simplex (20–80 µm), but similarly to I. vespertilionis (100–200 µm). Males of I. collaris have sparse distribution of long palpal setae (vs dense in I. vespertilionis) and posteriorly diverging, sclerotized trapezoid ridge dorsally on the basis capituli (posteriorly convergent, U-shaped and less evident in I. vespertilionis). The larva of I. collaris has long legs (unlike the larva of I. simplex, but similarly to I. vespertilionis and I. ariadnae), elongated club-shaped palpi (240 × 70 vs 200 × 90 µm in I. ariadnae, 200 × 70 µm in I. vespertilionis; and 140 × 60 µm in I. simplex:), pentagonal scutum, which is longer than broad (different from I. ariadnae and I. simplex, but similar to that of I. vespertilionis). The larva of I. collaris has strongly concave caudolateral margin of ventral basis with perpendicular angle (vs slightly concave, with obtuse angle in I. vespertilionis) and a prominent, dark sclerotized edge, “collar” (absent in I. vespertilionis). Conclusion Several features allow to distinguish the male and the larva of I. collaris morphologically from those of other bat-associated ixodid tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Dávid Murányi
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vuong Tan Tu
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
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11
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Mans BJ, Featherston J, Kvas M, Pillay KA, de Klerk DG, Pienaar R, de Castro MH, Schwan TG, Lopez JE, Teel P, Pérez de León AA, Sonenshine DE, Egekwu NI, Bakkes DK, Heyne H, Kanduma EG, Nyangiwe N, Bouattour A, Latif AA. Argasid and ixodid systematics: Implications for soft tick evolution and systematics, with a new argasid species list. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2018; 10:219-240. [PMID: 30309738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The systematics of the genera and subgenera within the soft tick family Argasidae is not adequately resolved. Different classification schemes, reflecting diverse schools of scientific thought that elevated or downgraded groups to genera or subgenera, have been proposed. In the most recent classification scheme, Argas and Ornithodoros are paraphyletic and the placement of various subgenera remains uncertain because molecular data are lacking. Thus, reclassification of the Argasidae is required. This will enable an understanding of soft tick systematics within an evolutionary context. This study addressed that knowledge gap using mitochondrial genome and nuclear (18S and 28S ribosomal RNA) sequence data for representatives of the subgenera Alectorobius, Argas, Chiropterargas, Ogadenus, Ornamentum, Ornithodoros, Navis (subgen. nov.), Pavlovskyella, Persicargas, Proknekalia, Reticulinasus and Secretargas, from the Afrotropical, Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Hard tick species (Ixodidae) and a new representative of Nuttalliella namaqua (Nuttalliellidae), were also sequenced with a total of 83 whole mitochondrial genomes, 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes generated. The study confirmed the utility of next-generation sequencing to retrieve systematic markers. Paraphyly of Argas and Ornithodoros was resolved by systematic analysis and a new species list is proposed. This corresponds broadly with the morphological cladistic analysis of Klompen and Oliver (1993). Estimation of divergence times using molecular dating allowed dissection of phylogeographic patterns for argasid evolution. The discovery of cryptic species in the subgenera Chiropterargas, Ogadenus and Ornithodoros, suggests that cryptic speciation is common within the Argasidae. Cryptic speciation has implications for past biological studies of soft ticks. These are discussed in particular for the Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) moubata and Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros) savignyi groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Mans
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa.
| | - Jonathan Featherston
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Marija Kvas
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Kerry-Anne Pillay
- The Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council-Biotechnology Platform, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Daniel G de Klerk
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Ronel Pienaar
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Minique H de Castro
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Tom G Schwan
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, United States
| | - Job E Lopez
- Department of Paediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Paediatric Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pete Teel
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Adalberto A Pérez de León
- USDA-ARS Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center, Kerrville, TX, United States
| | - Daniel E Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, United States; Vector Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Noble I Egekwu
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., United States
| | - Deon K Bakkes
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Heloise Heyne
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Esther G Kanduma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O BOX 30197, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nkululeko Nyangiwe
- Döhne Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa
| | - Ali Bouattour
- Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Abdalla A Latif
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Westville, South Africa
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12
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de Rojas M, Doña J, Jovani R, Dimov I, Zurita A, Callejón R, Rodríguez-Plá M. Evidence of cryptic species in the genus Tinaminyssus (Acari: Rhinonyssidae) based on morphometrical and molecular data. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:355-368. [PMID: 29876760 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The study of cryptic species allows to describe and to understand biodiversity, and the evolutionary processes shaping it. Mites of the family Rhinonyssidae are permanent parasites of the nasal cavities of birds, currently including about 500 described species and 12 genera. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mites from five populations of the genus Tinaminyssus-three isolated from European turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur), and two from Eurasian collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto; Aves: Columbiformes)-are, in fact, two cryptic species inhabiting different hosts. First, we performed a morphometrical study on 16 traits. Then, we used the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 nuclear region (ITS region), and a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase 1 (COI) to carry out phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses on Tinaminyssus species. Morphological analyses revealed a lack of biometric differentiation among Tinaminyssus populations from the two host species. However, molecular analyses indicated a high degree of genetic differentiation between populations of Tinaminyssus sp. from S. turtur and S. decaocto. Overall, results show that they can be considered as different cryptic species, suggesting a case of evolutionary stasis, likely because of the anatomical similarity between closely-related bird host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel de Rojas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain.
| | - Jorge Doña
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1816S. Oak St., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - Roger Jovani
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Ivan Dimov
- Department of Human Anatomy, State Pediatric Medical University, Litovskaya St. 2, St. Petersburg, Russia, 194100
| | - Antonio Zurita
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Callejón
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - María Rodríguez-Plá
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Profesor García González 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
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13
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Lv J, Fernández de Marco MDM, Goharriz H, Phipps LP, McElhinney LM, Hernández-Triana LM, Wu S, Lin X, Fooks AR, Johnson N. Detection of tick-borne bacteria and babesia with zoonotic potential in Argas (Carios) vespertilionis (Latreille, 1802) ticks from British bats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1865. [PMID: 29382871 PMCID: PMC5789838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks host a wide range of zoonotic pathogens and are a significant source of diseases that affect humans and livestock. However, little is known about the pathogens associated with bat ticks. We have collected ectoparasites from bat carcasses over a seven year period. Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were extracted from 296 ticks removed from bats and the species designation was confirmed in all ticks as Argas (Carios) vespertilionis. A subset of these samples (n = 120) were tested for the presence of zoonotic pathogens by molecular methods. Babesia species, Rickettsia spp., within the spotted fever group (SFG), and Ehrlichia spp. were detected in ticks removed from 26 bats submitted from 14 counties across England. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was found to be highest in Pipistrellus pipistrellus from southern England. This study suggests that the tick species that host B. venatorum may include the genus Argas in addition to the genus Ixodes. As A. vespertilionis has been reported to feed on humans, detection of B. venatorum and SFG Rickettsia spp. could present a risk of disease transmission in England. No evidence for the presence of flaviviruses or Issyk-Kul virus (nairovirus) was found in these tick samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhou Lv
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China.,Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | | | - Hooman Goharriz
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - L Paul Phipps
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | | | - Shaoqiang Wu
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China
| | - Xiangmei Lin
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, P.R. China
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.,Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Nicholas Johnson
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Woodham Lane, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK. .,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
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14
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Hornok S, Szőke K, Tu VT, Kontschán J, Takács N, Sándor AD, Halajian A, Földvári G, Estók P, Plantard O, Epis S, Görföl T. Mitochondrial gene heterogeneity of the bat soft tick Argas vespertilionis (Ixodida: Argasidae) in the Palaearctic. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:109. [PMID: 28241778 PMCID: PMC5329959 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, a high degree of mitochondrial gene heterogeneity was demonstrated between conspecific ixodid ticks of bats in Eurasia. Argas vespertilionis is a soft tick species of mainly vespertilionid bats, also with a wide distribution in the Old World. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology, mitochondrial gene heterogeneity and host range of A. vespertilionis in the Old World. Results Altogether 318 soft tick larvae were collected from 17 bat species (belonging to six genera) in seven countries. Based on the general morphology (setal arrangement) of 314 A. vespertilionis larvae, and the detailed measurements of fifteen larvae, only minor morphological differences (in dorsal plate size and the type of serrate setae) were observed between specimens from Europe and Vietnam. On the other hand, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses of 17 specimens showed that A. vespertilionis from Europe is genetically different (with up to 7.5% cox1 and 5.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence) from specimens collected in Vietnam, and their phylogenetic separation is well supported. Conclusion In its evaluated geographical range, no larval phenotypic differences justify the existence of separate species under the name A. vespertilionis. However, phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial markers suggest that it represents a complex of at least two putative cryptic species. The broad host range of A. vespertilionis might partly explain its lower degree of mitochondrial gene heterogeneity in comparison with ixodid bat tick species over the same geographical region of Eurasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Krisztina Szőke
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vuong Tan Tu
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ali Halajian
- Department of Biodiversity, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Estók
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, Hungary
| | | | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tamás Görföl
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Hornok S, Szőke K, Kováts D, Estók P, Görföl T, Boldogh SA, Takács N, Kontschán J, Földvári G, Barti L, Corduneanu A, Sándor AD. DNA of Piroplasms of Ruminants and Dogs in Ixodid Bat Ticks. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167735. [PMID: 27930692 PMCID: PMC5145180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study 308 ticks (Ixodes ariadnae: 26 larvae, 14 nymphs, five females; I. vespertilionis: 89 larvae, 27 nymphs, eight females; I. simplex: 80 larvae, 50 nymphs, nine females) have been collected from 200 individuals of 17 bat species in two countries, Hungary and Romania. After DNA extraction these ticks were molecularly analysed for the presence of piroplasm DNA. In Hungary I. ariadnae was most frequently identified from bat species in the family Vespertilionidae, whereas I. vespertilionis was associated with Rhinolophidae. Ixodes ariadnae was not found in Romania. Four, four and one new bat host species of I. ariadnae, I. vespertilionis and I. simplex were identified, respectively. DNA sequences of piroplasms were detected in 20 bat ticks (15 larvae, four nymphs and one female). I. simplex carried piroplasm DNA sequences significantly more frequently than I. vespertilionis. In I. ariadnae only Babesia vesperuginis DNA was detected, whereas in I. vespertilionis sequences of both B. vesperuginis and B. crassa. From I. simplex the DNA of B. canis, Theileria capreoli, T. orientalis and Theileria sp. OT3 were amplified, as well as a shorter sequence of the zoonotic B. venatorum. Bat ticks are not known to infest dogs or ruminants, i.e. typical hosts and reservoirs of piroplasms molecularly identified in I. vespertilionis and I. simplex. Therefore, DNA sequences of piroplasms detected in these bat ticks most likely originated from the blood of their respective bat hosts. This may indicate either that bats are susceptible to a broader range of piroplasms than previously thought, or at least the DNA of piroplasms may pass through the gut barrier of bats during digestion of relevant arthropod vectors. In light of these findings, the role of bats in the epidemiology of piroplasmoses deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Krisztina Szőke
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kováts
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, Debrecen University, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Péter Estók
- Department of Zoology, Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, Hungary
| | - Tamás Görföl
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor A. Boldogh
- Department of Nature Conservation, Aggtelek National Park Directorate, Jósvafő, Hungary
| | - Nóra Takács
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jenő Kontschán
- Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Levente Barti
- Romanian Bat Protection Association, Satu Mare, Romania
| | - Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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16
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Hornok S, Kováts D, Angyal D, Dányi L, Kovács R, Kontschán J. Description of the male and the larva of Ixodes ariadnae Hornok, 2014. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2016; 7:1252-1255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Description of a new tick species, Ixodes collaris n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae), from bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae) in Vietnam. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:332. [PMID: 27286701 PMCID: PMC4902904 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1608-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a recent study on ixodid bat ticks from Eurasia, a high genetic difference was found between Ixodes vespertilionis from Europe and Vietnam. Accordingly, it was proposed that I. vespertilionis is a species complex, with at least one additional, hitherto undescribed species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphology of bat ticks from Vietnam and to assess their taxonomic status in comparison with those collected in Europe. Findings Ixodid bat ticks (two females and two nymphs) collected from the pomona leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros pomona) (Hipposideridae) and intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis) (Rhinolophidae) in Vietnam showed major morphological differences from European isolates of I. vespertilionis, including the shape of the scutum, the enclosure and shape of porose areas, the presence of a caudo-lateral collar-like ridge ventrally on the basis capituli, polytrich coxae with short setae, and grouped (non-linear) arrangement of anterior pit sensillae in Haller’s organ. Conclusions In this study the female and the nymph of an ixodid bat tick species from Vietnam are described for the first time. The genetic and morphological differences between I. vespertilionis Koch, 1844 and these bat ticks from Vietnam justify the status of the latter as a distinct species, Ixodes collaris Hornok n. sp.
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18
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Leulmi H, Aouadi A, Bitam I, Bessas A, Benakhla A, Raoult D, Parola P. Detection of Bartonella tamiae, Coxiella burnetii and rickettsiae in arthropods and tissues from wild and domestic animals in northeastern Algeria. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:27. [PMID: 26791781 PMCID: PMC4721140 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1316-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, the scope and importance of emergent vector-borne diseases has increased dramatically. In Algeria, only limited information is currently available concerning the presence and prevalence of these zoonotic diseases. For this reason, we conducted a survey of hematophagous ectoparasites of domestic mammals and/or spleens of wild animals in El Tarf and Souk Ahras, Algeria. Methods Using real-time PCR, standard PCR and sequencing, the presence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and Coxiella burnetii was evaluated in 268/1626 ticks, 136 fleas, 11 Nycteribiidae flies and 16 spleens of domestic and/or wild animals from the El Tarf and Souk Ahras areas. Results For the first time in Algeria, Bartonella tamiae was detected in 12/19 (63.2 %) Ixodes vespertilionis ticks, 8/11 (72.7 %) Nycteribiidae spp. flies and in 6/10 (60 %) bat spleens (Chiroptera spp.). DNA from Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, was also identified in 3/19 (15.8 %) I. vespertilionis from bats. Rickettsia slovaca, the agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was detected in 1/1 (100 %) Haemaphysalis punctata and 2/3 (66.7 %) Dermacentor marginatus ticks collected from two boars (Sus scrofa algira) respectively. Ri. massiliae, an agent of spotted fever, was detected in 38/94 (40.4 %) Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato collected from cattle, sheep, dogs, boars and jackals. DNA of Ri. aeschlimannii was detected in 6/20 (30 %) Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum and 6/20 (30 %) Hy. scupense from cattle. Finally, Ri. felis, an emerging rickettsial pathogen, was detected in 80/110 (72.7 %) Archaeopsylla erinacei and 2/2 (100 %) Ctenocephalides felis of hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus). Conclusion In this study, we expanded knowledge about the repertoire of ticks and flea-borne bacteria present in ectoparasites and/or tissues of domestic and wild animals in Algeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Leulmi
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Atef Aouadi
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria. .,Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Chadli Bendjdid, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria.
| | - Idir Bitam
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France. .,Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria. .,Laboratoire d'Ecologie et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Université de Bab Ezzouar, Bab Ezzouar, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Amina Bessas
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger. El Aliya Alger, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.
| | - Ahmed Benakhla
- Département des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université Cherif Messaadia, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria.
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
| | - Philippe Parola
- Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
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