New records of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris in the Transmexican Volcanic Belt province of Mexico with detection of rickettsial infection

Parasitol Res. 2020 Jun;119(6):1969-1973. doi: 10.1007/s00436-020-06684-6. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Abstract

Haemaphysalis leporispalustris is a hard tick species that have been recorded mainly parasitizing rabbits and birds across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Particularly in Mexico, most of the records come from historical collection journeys from before the 1960s. In this paper, we bring new geographical records for this species in Mexico to provide the first genetic data in the country through the amplification of the 16S, COI, and 18S genes, and the detection of a rickettsial agent as well.

Keywords: Hard ticks; Molecular identification; New records; Rickettsia bellii.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Amplification
  • Ixodidae / genetics
  • Ixodidae / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Mexico
  • Rabbits
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*