Identification and Molecular Analysis of Ixodid Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Domestic Animals and Tick-Borne Pathogens at the Tarim Basin of Southern Xinjiang, China
- Author:
Li ZHAO
1
;
Jizhou LV
;
Fei LI
;
Kairui LI
;
Bo HE
;
Luyao ZHANG
;
Xueqing HAN
;
Huiyu WANG
;
Nicholas JOHNSON
;
Xiangmei LIN
;
Shaoqiang WU
;
Yonghong LIU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2020;58(1):37-46
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Abstract: Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.
