Initial study and phylogenetic analysis of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Nantong, China along the route of avian migration

• Published in: Experimental & applied acarology Vol. 92; no. 4; pp. 871 - 883
• Main Authors: Yuan, Jian-Ming, Su, Jing, Zhang, Zhi-Hai, Sun, Bin, Jiao, Xue-Li, Zhang, Xin, Zhai, Yun-Peng, Chen, Yu-Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.05.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Ecology; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animal Migration; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animals; Arthropod Proteins - analysis; Arthropod Proteins - genetics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bird migration; Birds; China; Climate change; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - analysis; Electron Transport Complex IV - analysis; Electron Transport Complex IV - genetics; Entomology; Genetic relationship; Global warming; Ixodidae - classification; Ixodidae - genetics; Ixodidae - physiology; Life Sciences; Migratory birds; Nymph - classification; Nymph - genetics; Nymph - growth & development; Nymph - physiology; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal - analysis; RNA, Ribosomal - genetics; rRNA; Ticks; China; South Korea; Japan; Phylogenetic analysis; DNA barcode; Bird migration; Ticks
• ISSN: 0168-8162; 1572-9702
• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00916-5

The growing concern about migratory birds potentially spreading ticks due to global warming has become a significant issue. The city of Nantong in this study is situated along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), with numerous wetlands serving as roosting sites for migratory birds. We conducted an investigation of hard ticks and determined the phylogenetic characteristics of tick species in this city. We utilized three different genes for our study: the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( COX1 ) gene, the second internal transcribed spacer ( ITS2 ), and the mitochondrial small subunit rRNA ( 12 S rRNA ) gene. The predominant tick species were Haemaphysalis flava ( H. flava ) and Haemaphysalis longicornis (H. longicornis) . Additionally, specimens of Haemaphysalis campanulata (H. campanulata) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ( R. sanguineus ) were collected. The H. flava specimens in this study showed a close genetic relationship with those from inland provinces of China, as well as South Korea and Japan. Furthermore, samples of H. longicornis exhibited a close genetic relationship with those from South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the USA, as well as specific provinces in China. Furthermore, R. sanguineus specimens captured in Nantong showed genetic similarities with specimens from Egypt, Nigeria, and Argentina.