Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis (Acari: Ixodidae) from Zambia: a molecular reassessment of their species status and identification

The closely related species Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis co-occur in a wide area in Zambia. In this area, specimens of both species have been collected on the same individual host at the same time. In addition, specimens that are morphologically intermediate between R. appendicul...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental & applied acarology 2007-02, Vol.41 (1-2), p.115-128
Main Authors: Mtambo, J, Madder, M, Van Bortel, W, Berkvens, D, Backeljau, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
12S rDNA
Acari
Animals
Arachnida
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Closely related species
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - genetics
Epidemiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
ITS2
Ixodidae
Ixodidae - classification
Ixodidae - genetics
Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control
PCR-RFLP
Phylogenetic species
Phylogeny
Polymorphism, Genetic
Rhipicephalus appendiculatus
Rhipicephalus zambeziensis
Species Specificity
Systematics. Geographical distribution
Taxa
Vectors. Intermediate hosts
Zambia
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Summary:The closely related species Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis co-occur in a wide area in Zambia. In this area, specimens of both species have been collected on the same individual host at the same time. In addition, specimens that are morphologically intermediate between R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis have been found in this area. These observations cast some doubt on the species status of R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis. Because the two taxa have varied influences on the epidemiology of East Coast fever (ECF), a cattle disease for which they act as vectors, it is essential that their taxonomic status is clarified and their identification is accurate. Therefore a phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of the ITS2 and a fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rDNA was performed to reassess the specific status of both taxa. This revealed two well supported clades coinciding with R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis as two separate species. In order to facilitate species identification a PCR-RFLP diagnostic assay was developed based on BauI digestion of the ITS2 gene. This assay produced clear diagnostic banding patterns for the two species and is applicable over a wide range of both species' distribution.
ISSN:0168-8162
1572-9702
DOI:10.1007/s10493-006-9037-y