Description and characterization of questing hard tick, Dermacentor steini (Acari: Ixodidae) in Malaysia based on phenotypic and genotypic traits.

摘要: Identifying certain species of Dermacentor ticks in Malaysia is challenging as there no comprehensive work on their systematics and lack specific taxonomic keys. In this study, we described characterized D. steini collected from a forest reserve the vicinity Forest Research Institute using integrated phenotypic genotypic traits. total two males three females questing were morphologically identified illustrated keys based special characters. Further confirmation characterization tick then examined PCR, followed by sequencing partial mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene (mt-rrs). Clustering analysis mt-rrs was carried out constructing neighbor-joining tree topology to clarify genetic variation local steini. Based external morphological characterizations, all successfully down adult The molecular traits phylogenetic provide very strong support for monophyletic clade including high percentages similarity (97–100%) with available sequences GenBank. Furthermore, low intraspecific (4%) among observed but it genetically different other interspecific value (8–15%). These findings produced first data which confirmed presence Malaysia. Moreover, study supports status adds knowledge accurate identification ticks.