title: First record of Ixodes ariadnae in Western Europe, Belgium--Short communication.
abstract: Fourteen long-legged ixodid ticks (6 nymphs and 8 larvae) were collected from Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) in Rochefort, Belgium. All ticks were morphologically identified as Ixodes ariadnae, based on their long legs (Haller's organ longer than maximum diameter of tarsus I), broad palps and posteriorly reverse bell-shaped scutum with wavy surface. The DNA was extracted from these ticks, followed by PCR amplification of part of their cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. All obtained sequences were 100% identical with each other, and with the COI sequence of I. ariadnae reported previously from Hungary and Germany. Taking into account that the collection site in the present study is close to the French border of Belgium, and migration of Bechstein's bat is known between Belgium and France, it is reasonable to suppose that I. ariadnae also occurs in France. This is the first record of I. ariadnae in Western Europe, outside its formerly known geographical range (Central Europe).
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine , István u. 2, H-1078 Budapest , Hungary.
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hornok
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) , Bilthoven , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krawczyk
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002685:Chiroptera; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology; D018884:Ixodes / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
keywords: Bat; Ixodes; Myotis bechsteinii; hard tick