Morphological and genetic diversity of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from the New and Old Worlds

摘要: The taxonomic status of the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto), which has long been regarded as most widespread worldwide and a vector many pathogens to dogs humans, is currently under dispute. We conducted comprehensive morphological genetic study 278 representative specimens, belonged different species (i.e., Rhipicephalus bursa, R. guilhoni, microplus, muhsamae, pusillus, lato, turanicus) collected from Europe, Asia, Americas, Oceania. After detailed examination, ticks were molecularly processed for analysis partial mitochondrial (16S rDNA, 12S cox 1) gene sequences. In addition s.l. turanicus, three operational units (namely, sp. I, II, III) found on dogs. These taxonomical morphologically genetically turanicus. Ticks identified s.l., corresponds so-called “tropical species” (=northern lineage), in all continents it represents sister group guilhoni. turanicus was wide range hosts Italy also Greece. tropical temperate (=southern lineage) are paraphyletic groups. occurrence Mediterranean region confirmed. A consensual re-description s.s. will be necessary solve problems within group.