Molecular Confirmation of Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides Infesting Ruminants in Wayanad, Kerala, India

Abstract

Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides is a prevalent multi host tick species with high vector potential in south India. There are several reports based on morphological identification of the tick species from various parts of the country. However, there were limited attempts for molecular confirmation of this tick species. In the present study, the presence of R. haemaphysaloides in Wayanad, Kerala was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction based on amplification of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and V4 region of 18S rRNA gene. Two tick samples, one engorged on a bovine male calf of Pookode, Wayanad and other engorged on a sambar deer in Meppadi were used for the study. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA of R. haemaphysaloides revealed genetic relatedness with Chinese isolates of the tick species. Introduction