Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. from the western Iberian peninsula.
Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille (1806) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) is considered to be the most widely distributed tick and to have a vast range of habitats and hosts, including livestock, pets and wildlife. In addition to morphological differences, recent investigations using approaches based on molecular genetic markers have revealed the existence of different R. sanguineus lineages in different geographic regions. In this study, 475 ticks collected from dogs in the western Iberian peninsula were studied both morphologically and genetically, using 12S and 16S rDNA and COI gene markers in order to clarify the controversy over the systematic status of R. sanguineus sensu lato in Western Europe, and to compare the present data with those sourced from studies conducted in other regions of the world. Despite the high morphometric variability, particularly on spiracles in both genders and in female genitalia, data obtained with different genetic molecular markers show very low variability, suggesting the existence of a unique species. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis showed genetic uniformity, supporting the existence of a well-defined clade consisting of R. sanguineus s.l. specimens from Western Europe that are distinct from R. sanguineus s.l. from Africa. Furthermore, these data corroborate the existence of a polymorphic species in Western Europe, which requires to be consensually redescribed in view of its medical and veterinary importance in pathogen transmission.
Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
C
C
Almeida
Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
R
R
Simões
Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.|Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
M J
0000-0001-8495-5995
MJ
Coimbra-Dores
Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
F
F
Rosa
Faculdade de Ciências, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.|Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
D
D
Dias
D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D011174:Portugal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D048508:Rhipicephalus sanguineus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l; Western Europe; mtDNA genetic markers; phylogeny; taxonomy