Hyalomma ticks infecting tortoises in North Africa and Turkey: distribution, genetic variation and their role as potential vectors

Perera, A.; Silveira, D.; Graciá, E.; Giménez, A.; Saramago-Nunes, C.; Lopes de Carvalho, I.; Núncio, M.S.; Harris, D.J.; Norte, A.C.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/6765

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Authors

Lopes de Carvalho, I.

Núncio, M.S.

Harris, D.J.

Norte, A.C.

Abstract(s)

Hyalomma aegyptium is the most common tick species infesting tortoises in the Palearctic. Although larvae and nymphs of these ticks feed on different animal groups, adults of H. aegyptium are highly specific to Testudo. Hyalomma are also carriers of various microorganisms, including pathogens. In this symposium we present the results of two studies on Hyalomma ticks infesting Testudo from North Africa and Turkey. In the first, we analysed the genetic diversity of Hyalomma, and assessed whether the genetic patterns of the ticks matched the ones of the Testudo hosts. We identified two main genetic groups of H. aegyptium with no clear geographical structure. We believe that the existence of alternative hosts or the pet trade may explain some of these results. In the second study, we aimed to detect the presence of microorganisms and potential pathogens in H. aegyptium. The molecular screening detected the following parasites: Hemolivia mauritanica, Ehrlichia sp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, relapsing fever Borrelia, Francisella sp. and the microorganisms Candidatus Midichlora mitochondrii and Wolbachia sp. Despite the low prevalence of human pathogenic agents, these results highlight the potential consequences of the pet trade on disease emergence and the dispersion of pathogens and other microorganisms