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New records of soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in the Caatinga biome of Brazil, with a phylogenetic analysis of argasids using the nuclear Histone 3 (H3) gene

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Abstract

In Brazil, 19 species of the genus Ornithodoros (Acari: Argasidae) have been reported. The medical and veterinary importance of Ornithodoros ticks has increased substantially in recent decades, with the discovery of various relapsing fever Borrelia infecting Ornithodoros ticks. Herein, argasid ticks were collected during 2019–2020 from caves, abandoned nests and homes in various regions of Ceará State, Brazilian semiarid—Caatinga biome. In total, 289 ticks were collected and identified into five species: Ornithodoros cavernicolous (176 specimens), Ornithodoros fonsecai (81), Ornithodoros mimon (12), Ornithodoros rietcorreai (4), and a fifth species provisionally retained as Ornithodoros sp. Ubajara. Tick identifications were corroborated by a phylogenetic analysis inferred using the 16S rRNA gene. To extend the molecular characterization, DNA samples were tested by an additional PCR assay targeting the nuclear Histone 3 (H3) gene. Because there were no H3 sequences of argasids in GenBank, we extended this PCR assay for additional Ornithodoros species, available in our laboratory. In total, 15 partial sequences of the H3 gene were generated for 10 Ornithodoros species, showing 0% intraspecific polymorphism, and 1.5–11.6% interspecific polymorphism. Phylogenetic analyses inferred segregated Ornithodoros sp. Ubajara as a potential novel species. Our results also highlight the potential of the H3 gene for deeper phylogenetic analyses of argasids. The present study provides new data for argasid ticks of the genus Ornithodoros in the Caatinga biome. Because some of these tick species are human-biting ticks, active surveillance for the incidence of human infection due to Ornithodoros-borne agents is imperative in the Caatinga biome.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ubajara National Park, the Jericoacoara National Park, the Morrinhos City Hall (Ronan Carneiro) and the Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas de Animais Silvestres do UNINTA—NEPAS-UNINTA.

Funding

This study was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP Grant # 2018/02521-1 to S.M.-L.), Fundação Cearense de Apoio Científico e Tecnológico (FUNCAP Grant to F.R.J.), and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq Grant # 409262/2018-8 to M.B.L.).

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Author notes

  1. Bruno M. Teixeira, Sebastián Muñoz-Leal and Marcelo B. Labruna contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterinary Science Graduate Program at Ceará State University, Av. Dr. Silas Munguba, 1700 - Itaperi, Fortaleza, CE, 60714-903, Brazil

    Felipe R. Jorge & Lorena M. B. de Oliveira

  2. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, INTA University Center - UNINTA, R. Antônio Rodrigues Magalhães, 359 - Dom Expedito, Sobral, CE, 62050-100, Brazil

    Meylling M. L. Magalhães, Romilson S. Lopes Júnior, Jessica M. L. dos Santos & Bruno M. Teixeira

  3. Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil

    Bárbara Weck, Glauber M. B. de Oliveira, Maria Carolina A. Serpa & Marcelo B. Labruna

  4. Department of Anthropozoonoses, Department of Health of Ceará, Av. Almirante Barroso, 600 - Praia de Iracema, Fortaleza, CE, 60060-440, Brazil

    Francisco B. P. Moura

  5. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, casilla 537, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile

    Sebastián Muñoz-Leal

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  1. Felipe R. Jorge
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  2. Lorena M. B. de Oliveira
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Correspondence to Bruno M. Teixeira.

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Jorge, F.R., de Oliveira, L.M.B., Magalhães, M.M.L. et al. New records of soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae) in the Caatinga biome of Brazil, with a phylogenetic analysis of argasids using the nuclear Histone 3 (H3) gene. Exp Appl Acarol 86, 567–581 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-022-00709-8

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