Attila D. Sándor
24759670100
Publications - 7
First record of Ixodes (Scaphixodes) caledonicus in the Carpathian Basin and first time molecular-phylogenetic analysis of this tick species with updated host records and geographical range
Publication Name: Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Four Ixodes species represent the subgenus Scaphixodes Schulze, 1941 in Europe, but none of them were reported to be compared in a molecular-phylogenetic context. This study compensates for this lack of data. A tick larva, morphologically identified as Ixodes (Scaphixodes) caledonicus Nuttall, 1910, was collected from an Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) during its nesting period in Transylvania, Romania. Following DNA extraction, PCR analyses and sequencing in part with newly designed primers, three genetic markers of this specimen were amplified and compared to GenBank data, and two were analyzed phylogenetically. Based on sequence comparisons of its mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and nuclear 28S rRNA genes I. caledonicus appeared to be closely related to members of the subgenus Pholeoixodes. However, the topology of the concatenated cox1 and 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree clearly showed its clustering with Ixodes (Scaphixodes) philipi. In conclusion, I. caledonicus is part of the tick fauna of Romania and is expected to occur also in other countries of the Carpathian Basin where rocky cliffs are available for nesting of swifts and other birds. This is the first species of the subgenus Scaphixodes in Europe, for which the traditional (morphology-based) taxonomic assignment is confirmed by molecular-phylogenetic analyses.
Open Access: Yes
East-to-west dispersal of bird-associated ixodid ticks in the northern Palaearctic: Review of already reported tick species according to longitudinal migratory avian hosts and first evidence on the genetic connectedness of Ixodes apronophorus between Siberia and Europe
Publication Name: Current Research in Parasitology and Vector Borne Diseases
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 6
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Birds are long-known as important disseminators of ixodid ticks, in which context mostly their latitudinal, south-to-north migration is considered. However, several bird species that occur in the eastern part of the northern Palaearctic are known to migrate westward. In this study, a female tick collected from the sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, in Lithuania was identified morphologically and analyzed with molecular-phylogenetic methods. In addition, literature data were reviewed on ixodid tick species known to be associated with birds that have recorded east-to-west migratory route in the Palaearctic. The tick collected from A. schoenobaenus was morphologically identified as Ixodes apronophorus. Two mitochondrial genetic markers for this specimen showed 100% identity with a conspecific tick reported previously in Western Siberia, Russia. Based on literature data, as many as 82 bird species from 11 orders were found to have records of ringing in the easternmost part of the northern Palaearctic and recaptures in Europe. Of these bird species, 31 ixodid tick species were reported in the Euro-Siberian region. Nearly all passeriform bird species with east-to-west migration were reported to carry ticks, whereas no reports of tick infestation were documented from the majority of wetland-associated bird species, mostly from the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. The first European sequences of bona fide I. apronophorus revealed genetic connectedness with conspecific ticks reported from Siberia. Since the principal hosts of this tick species are rodents which do not migrate large distances, the most likely explanation for genetic similarity in this direction is dispersal of this tick species via migratory birds. Given the high number of tick species that are known to associate with bird species migrating in westward direction, this appears to be an important means of the gene flow between geographically distant tick populations in the northern Palaearctic.
Open Access: Yes
Phylogenetic analyses of Ixodes rugicollis with notes on its morphology in comparison with Ixodes cornutus
Publication Name: Parasites and Vectors
Publication Date: 2023-12-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: The subgenus Pholeoixodes contains Ixodes species typically associated with birds that nest in cavities or with carnivorous mammals that are burrow-dwelling. Among ticks infesting the latter, Ixodes rugicollis is regarded as the rarest species in the western Palearctic. Despite the unique morphology of this species, its identification (especially of subadult stages) is difficult, and molecular-phylogenetic data to offer other diagnostic methods and a better understanding of its taxonomy are not available. Methods: In this study, a female and a male of I. rugicollis were collected in Romania. The female was compared morphologically to another female of this species collected in France and to the lectotype of Ixodes cornutus (from Tajikistan), which has similar morphology and host association. Following DNA extraction, two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I: cox1 and the 16S rRNA gene) and two nuclear genetic markers (18S and 28S rRNA genes) of I. rugicollis were amplified and analyzed in a phylogenetic context. Results: Females of I. rugicollis and I. cornutus differed in the shape of their palps, scutum and areae porosae and the size of peritremes, but they were similar in palpal setal length, dental formula and arrangement of anal setae. Measurements of two I. rugicollis females examined were not less different from each other than from I. cornutus. Phylogenetically, I. rugicollis clustered with other members of its subgenus. The topology of all trees showed the position of bat-associated tick species of the subgenus Eschatocephalus among Pholeoixodes species. Conclusions: For the first time to our knowledge, this study provides high-resolution digital pictures of male and female I. rugicollis as well as corresponding molecular data. Morphological comparison of this species with I. cornutus could not resolve uncertainties in the validity of the latter species, which can only be accomplished after collecting new specimens of I. cornutus and consequent molecular comparisons. This study includes the first comprehensive molecular-phylogenetic analysis of western Palearctic Pholeoixodes species based on both nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers and including I. rugicollis. The results of these confirm the phylogenetic position of subgenus Eschatocephalus within Pholeoixodes, justifying the need to merge them to comply with the taxonomic criterion of monophyly. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]
Open Access: Yes
An update on the occurrence of flies (Diptera: Muscidae, Calliphoridae) and sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) of veterinary importance in Malta: First record of Lucilia cuprina and Linognathus africanus
Publication Name: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: 10
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
To obtain new data on the species diversity, host associations and spatiotemporal occurrence of flies and blood-sucking lice of veterinary importance in Malta, ectoparasites were collected at cattle, sheep and goat, pig farms, as well as dog shelters, and in two places in the absence of domestic animals. The species were identified morphologically, but voucher specimens were also analyzed with molecular-phylogenetic methods following DNA extraction. Altogether 3,095 flies (Diptera: Muscidae, Calliphoridae) were collected at farms and kennels near domestic animals, as well as 37 blowflies (Calliphoridae) in rural and urban areas without animals nearby. Regarding Muscidae, the great majority of flies (n = 3,084) were identified as the common housefly (Musca domestica). Eight flies represented the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans). Three blowflies associated with dogs and small ruminants belonged to Lucilia cuprina. By contrast, all 37 blowflies collected without domestic animals nearby, were identified as Lucilia sericata. In addition, 22 sucking lice were collected from goats, and all belonged to Linognathus africanus. Molecular identification of 28 flies and four lice confirmed the above species. Considering the sex ratio of M. domestica among samples collected randomly at cattle farms, females predominated in the whole study period, but the abundance of males increased significantly toward the autumn. Stomoxys calcitrans was associated with cattle and dogs, whereas L. cuprina was found near small ruminants and dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first study including the molecular analysis of flies and lice of veterinary-medical importance from Malta. The most important finding of this study is the first evidence for the autochthonous occurrence of L. cuprina in Malta. The exclusive presence of L. cuprina at animal-keeping facilities in rural areas and association of L. sericata with urban areas void of livestock might reflect similar habitat preference of these species in Malta to what was reported in South Africa. Based on the sucking-louse burden in the examined goat herds, the situation in Malta was similar to northern Africa where the exclusive presence of L. africanus was reported, unlike toward the north in the Mediterranean Basin where populations of this species are mixed with Linognathus stenopsis.
Open Access: Yes
Updates on subgenus Ixodes in the Mediterranean region: validity of Ixodes festai Rondelli, 1926, reinstatement of Ixodes tatei Arthur, 1959, and a new species closely related to Ixodes gibbosus Nuttall, 1916
Publication Name: International Journal for Parasitology
Publication Date: 2026-04-01
Volume: 56
Issue: 4
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The southern part of Europe is one of the most species-rich regions from the point of view of the genus and subgenus Ixodes . However, numerous unresolved or questionably interpreted issues exist in the context of tick species indigenous to Mediterranean countries, such as the validity of Ixodes festai , synonymy of Ixodes tatei with Ixodes eldaricus (never tested molecularly) or the haplotype heterogeneity of Ixodes gibbosus . In this study, 21 specimens of six tick species from the subgenus Ixodes were compared morphologically with high resolution digital microscopy and also analyzed with molecular-phylogenetic methods based on two mitochondrial genetic markers. The nymphs of I. eldaricus and I. tatei showed differences in the morphology of the scutum and basis capituli. Both the nymph and the females of I. festai could be distinguished from those of I. eldaricus , I. ventalloi and I. acuminatus . A female tick resembled I. gibbosus but was also different from this species, based on its descriptions. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships confirmed with moderate to strong support that all six species examined in this study represent different taxa of the subgenus Ixodes , including a previously unknown sister species to I. gibbosus . The latter is recognized and described here as a new species, Ixodes paragibbosus Hornok and Kontschán, sp. nov. Based on findings of this study, the tick species I. tatei Arthur, 1959 should be resurrected and reestablished. Morphological and phylogenetic comparisons performed here (including the first barcoding sequences of I. eldaricus and I. festai) confirm that the latter is a valid species, distinct from both I. eldaricus and I. ventalloi . For the differential diagnosis of the above species, the results highlight the importance of observing (among other structures) the auriculae, the internal spur of coxa I and the hypostome.
Open Access: Yes
Comparison and complete mitogenomes of two morphologically similar but ecologically different tick species, Ixodes arboricola and Ixodes lividus (subgenus Pholeoixodes)
Publication Name: Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Ixodes arboricola and Ixodes lividus are ornithophilic tick species. The former is typically associated with tree-hole dwelling birds, while the latter is a host-specific parasite of sand martins (Riparia riparia). These two tick species share important morphological characters that make them difficult to identify when they are collected from atypical hosts, such as birds of prey. Despite this, high resolution digital pictures have not been reported to compare I. arboricola and I. lividus, nor was their complete mitogenome reported. The aim of this study was to compensate for this lack of illustrations and sequence data. Nymphs and females of I. arboricola and I. lividus were used for morphological comparison, and one specimen of each species to generate mitogenome sequences. The results showed that females of these two species are different in the shape of their scutum, porose areas, the length of basis capituli, palps, coxae, genital pore, anal groove and tarsus I. On the other hand, nymphs of I. arboricola and I. lividus can be distinguished according to their cervical grooves, cornuae, auricular ridges and spiracular plates. The mitochondrial genome size was 14,539 and 14,536 bp, for I. arboricola and I. lividus, respectively. The mitogenome sequences of I. arboricola and I. lividus were 91.1% identical to each other. Phylogenetic analysis of Ixodes species showed that I. arboricola and I. lividus are sister species, and cluster together with Ixodes crenulatus/canisuga under strong support. In conclusion, results of this study confirmed that the front of the basis capituli is crucial in distinguishing Ixodes species, especially in the subgenus Pholeoixodes where these two species are phylogenetically closest related to I. canisuga. Another phylogenetically relevant morphological character is the scutal surface which is wrinkled (rugose) as a common feature of Pholeoixodes species in the clade of I. arboricola and I. lividus (including I. canisuga, I. rugicollis and I. ariadnae). Although the host ranges of I. arboricola and I. lividus do not substantially overlap, they may transmit some of the shared pathogens. Relevant data indicate that the eco-epidemiological significance of the two ornithophilic tick species studied here may in part be similar and they may play a role in the transmission of rickettsiae, borreliae and viruses of which birds act as reservoirs.
Open Access: Yes
Hard tick infestation of birds of prey (Aves: Accipitriformes, Strigiformes, Falconiformes) in the Western Palearctic: New data and literature review
Publication Name: Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases
Publication Date: 2026-05-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Tick infestation of songbirds has been extensively studied at global and regional scales but relevant data on birds of prey remain scarce and fragmentary. Raptors are of particular epidemiological relevance because their large size, wide-ranging movements and nesting habits may facilitate long-distance dispersal of ticks, and endophilic tick species (e.g. from prey animals) may even persist in their re-used nests. In this study, we aimed to compensate for the lack of comprehensive data in this context. First, more than 1800 birds of prey were examined at 61 sites in Central and South-Eastern Europe, encompassing both continental and Mediterranean climatic regions. Ticks (n = 839) were obtained from 98 birds representing 13 raptor species from three avian orders. Twelve tick species were identified, the most abundant being Rhipicephalus turanicus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Ixodes ricinus. Several previously unknown tick–host associations were revealed. Molecular-phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences of Ixodes arboricola from Tawny Owls (Strix aluco) clustered separately from other conspecific sequences, raising the possibility that Ixodes strigicola Schulze and Schlottke, 1929 is a valid species. Owls proved to be the most heavily tick-infested, particularly Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) nestlings. Endophilic and rodent-associated tick species were significantly more common on owls and on bird species nesting in cavities or buildings, whereas diurnal raptors were predominantly infested by generalist and exophilic ticks. These patterns highlight the importance of nesting ecology and prey composition in shaping tick assemblages on raptors. The results provide novel insights into tick–raptor associations, contribute new records of tick species from birds of prey, and improve our understanding of the role of raptors in tick maintenance and dispersal which appears to be particularly important in the case of cavity-nesting species. In addition to field sampling, a comprehensive database from nearly 150 published sources revealed that 32 tick species have been reported from birds of prey in the Western Palearctic to date.
Open Access: Yes
