- Authors: Diogo Filipe, Ricardo Parreira, André Pereira, Nuno Galvão, José Manuel Cristóvão, Mónica Nunes, Maria Luísa Vieira, Lenea Campino, Carla Maia
- Publication Year: 2021
- Journal: Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, vol 24, art 100551
- Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100551
REGIONAL REPORT
ABSTRACT
The utility of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COX1) and 16S ribosomal DNA (16S-rDNA) sequence analyses as a complementary/alternative tool to classical taxonomy, for the identification of some of the most prevalent hard tick species from Portugal was evaluated using BOLD-ID (COX1 only), BLASTn and phylogenetic tree reconstruction based on multiple nucleotide sequence alignments. Both molecular markers proved suitable for identifying ticks to a species level, but specific aspects that limit their resolving power must be considered. Their accuracy of tick identification in all life stages and of the other tick species described in the South of Europe is required.
HIGHLIGHTS
- • 16S-rDNA seems more suitable to identify hard ticks to the species level using BLASTn.
- • 16S-rDNA and COX1 molecular markers suitable to identify ticks to a species level.
- • Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the results suggested by BOLD-ID and/or BLASTn results.
KEYWORDS
Hard ticks; DNA barcoding; Phylogeny; Sequence analysis.