title: Molecular identification of blood meal sources of ticks (Acari, Ixodidae) using cytochrome b gene as a genetic marker.
abstract: Blood meal analysis (BMA) from ticks allows for the identification of natural hosts of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). The aim of this study is to identify the blood meal sources of field collected on-host ticks using PCR analysis. DNA of four genera of ticks was isolated and their cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene was amplified to identify host blood meals. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on data of Cyt b sequences using Neighbor Joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) analysis using MEGA 5.05 for the clustering of hosts of tick species. Twenty out of 27 samples showed maximum similarity (99%) with GenBank sequences through a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) while 7 samples only showed a similarity range of between 91-98%. The phylogenetic trees showed that the blood meal samples were derived from small rodents (Leopoldamyssabanus, Rattustiomanicus and Sundamysmuelleri), shrews (Tupaiaglis) and mammals (Tapirusindicus and Prionailurusbengalensis), supported by 82-88% bootstrap values. In this study, Cyt b gene as a molecular target produced reliable results and was very significant for the effective identification of ticks' blood meal. The assay can be used as a tool for identifying unknown blood meals of field collected on-host ticks.
authors: Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ; School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Ernieenor Faraliana
authors: EF
authors: Che Lah
authors: School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Salmah
authors: S
authors: Yaakop
authors: Acarology Unit, Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Ahamad
authors: School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Shukor
authors: S
authors: Md Nor
keywords: Blood meal; Cytochrome b; Ticks; Vector control; hosts