Species delimitation of the Dermacentor ticks based on phylogenetic clustering and niche modeling

摘要: Three species belonging to the genus Dermacentor (Acari: Ixodidae), D. marginatus, nuttalli and silvarum are well known as vectors for a great variety of infection pathogens. All three them host ticks, which very similar in morphology characteristics, life cycle, seasonal variation ecological conditions, making it difficult distinguish species. In present study, these were delimitated based on molecular data niche. The analysis showed that can be distinguished by COI ITS2 sequences. We created future potential distribution maps under climate changes with MaxEnt, highlighted different levels suitable habitats each tick addition, niche comparisons among conducted, suggested overlap was relatively high compared other pairs, consistent data. Niche equivalency similarity test confirmed closely related but distinct conclusion, delimitation within supported phylogeny quantitative space. This study will provide deep insights into biology, ecology, diversification processes species, development effective control ticks.